Stella's POV
The luxurious cabin of the private jet emitted a comfortable low hum as we cruised at altitude. Sam and I lazed on the butter-soft leather sofa, sharing a tablet, binging on the latest episode of a popular drama.
On the other side of the cabin, Adam and Victor sat in business seats, buried in their respective work documents, occasionally exchanging brief comments about business matters.
"My God, I can't believe she just said that!" Sam exclaimed, hitting pause on a particularly dramatic scene. "This show gets more ridiculous with every episode."
I laughed, reaching for my sparkling water. "Isn't that exactly why we can't stop watching?"
When the storyline entered a boring slow-motion sequence, I decided to bring up the topic I'd been wanting to ask since the hospital.
"So, Sam," I began casually, "you and Victor...?"
Sam's entire body instantly tensed. "Me and Victor what?" Her voice carried a warning tone that only confirmed my suspicions.
"The way he looks at you," I continued, ignoring her defensiveness, "is exactly like how Adam looks at me after he's gotten a taste of something sweet."
Sam nearly choked on her water. "What taste? I'm nothing like you married women!" She nervously glanced at the two men, confirming they were still focused on work, then leaned closer to me. "Could you keep your voice down?"
Just then, the flight attendant approached with a tray of refreshments—fresh fruit juices and exquisite French pastries. Sam immediately grabbed a colorful macaron, took a bite, and wrinkled her face.
"It's way too sweet," she declared, watching in horror as I reached for one. She quickly blocked my hand. "Don't eat it! It's just sugar with food coloring. You should cut back on sweets."
"Since when do you care about my sugar intake?" I teased, deftly snatching a raspberry macaron from under her arm.
Sam fidgeted with her napkin, obviously stalling. Finally, she sighed, "Fine. Victor confessed to me again, and I said I'd think about it."
"Oh," I deliberately responded with indifference, taking a small bite of the macaron. It really was too sweet, but I wasn't about to give her the satisfaction.
"That's it? Just 'oh'?" Sam looked somewhat offended by my tepid response.
"Didn't you tell him the same thing last time?" I pointed out. "That you'd 'think about it,' then spent the next few weeks avoiding him like the plague."
Sam's eyes suddenly widened, as if having an epiphany. "Oh shit, am I being a player? Am I leading him on?" Her horrified expression was so comical I had to suppress a laugh. "Damn, I'm turning into one of those awful people who string others along!"
This girl is hilarious when it comes to relationship talk. She can face business rivals without blinking, but completely falls apart at the thought of actually having feelings for someone.
"Only if you never actually intended to give him an answer," I replied while continuing to scroll through my phone.
The jet landed smoothly at the private airfield outside Manhattan. Through the window, I could see several luxury vehicles already waiting on the tarmac—Adam's staff efficiency was frankly intimidating.
As we disembarked, an elegant black car pulled up beside the aircraft. A man in an impeccable suit stepped out and approached Victor, handing him several documents and what appeared to be high-end envelopes.
"Ah, perfect timing," Victor said after quickly reviewing the documents and tucking them away. He turned to Adam and me with a warm smile. "Before we part ways, allow me to formally invite you to my birthday celebration next weekend."
He handed each of us an embossed gold envelope. Just the paper quality alone would put most people's dinners to shame.
"Mrs. Lancaster," Victor addressed me with surprising formality, "your presence would be particularly honored. Your friendship with Sam means a great deal to me."
Interesting. He's showing exceptional respect toward me—not just as Adam's wife, but as Sam's close friend. He's clearly trying to make a good impression.
"We'll definitely be there," I assured him, noticing how his gaze kept drifting toward Sam, while she deliberately avoided eye contact.
After confirming the details, Victor offered to personally drive Sam home. Their goodbye was a fascinating study in contrasts—Victor confident and warm, Sam awkwardly restrained, though her expression subtly softened when he opened the car door for her.
"Did you notice Sam's face when she saw the invitation?" I asked Adam once we were settled in our own car heading back to Lancaster Manor. "She looked like she wanted to run away immediately."
Adam's lips twitched slightly, with a barely perceptible smile. "Victor invited her to be his date."
"What?" I turned to him in surprise. "How do you know?"
"Reasonable deduction," he answered simply, but his expression told me it was more than just a guess. "Victor's position in the Moore family is stable, but not without complexities. There are many people eager to push suitable debutantes his way."
I frowned, processing this information. "So officially inviting Sam as his date to his birthday celebration... basically cuts off any retreat? He's not giving Sam an out?"
"No, Stella," Adam gently corrected, "Victor is the one without an escape route."
My confused expression must have been obvious, because Adam continued: "Mr. Moore is still alive. By bringing Sam to his birthday celebration as his date, Victor isn't just introducing a potential girlfriend—he's showcasing his future wife."
"That seems extreme for a birthday party date," I argued.
"For our circles, it's a significant statement," Adam explained. "And Sam's situation further complicates things. Beyond her friendship with you, she lacks the social network that would normally buffer this kind of transition. Any family members opposed to Victor's choice will use that against her."
"And then there's the Nathan factor to consider," I realized, as the puzzle pieces fit together.
Adam nodded. "Victor is willing to face both family resistance and the stigma of pursuing a rival's ex-girlfriend. This level of commitment isn't made lightly."
"Nathan will be at the birthday party too, won't he?" I asked, feeling a surge of protectiveness for Sam.
"Most likely," Adam confirmed. "The Moore and Gray families have extensive business connections."
I frowned at the thought. Though Nathan Gray wasn't directly involved in Sam's "accident," he did nothing to stop Ava's vengeful behavior.
"Victor gave you a personal invitation because of your friendship with Sam," Adam continued. "Your status as Mrs. Lancaster means guests will pay close attention to your reaction to Sam as Victor's companion. Your approval carries weight."
The significance of Victor's careful planning became clearer. He wasn't just pursuing Sam—he was systematically removing every obstacle that might stand in their way, including potential social rejection.
Sam has no idea what she's gotten herself into. Then again, judging by her expression at the airport, maybe she does.