"Ah!"


    The wine ss in Patricia''s hand went flying as Victor jerked her arm away. She stumbled and copsed onto the couch, and the deep red wine spilled all over her, soaking her pink dress in a spreading, messy stain.


    Across the room, Dailey had been lounging with a morous starlet, getting a little too flirty and just about to pull her in for a kiss. At the suddenmotion, he snapped to attention, dropped the girl, and hurried over.


    "What happened here, Vic?" Dailey tried to smooth things over, throwing a quick nce at his sister. "Did Patty do something wrong? She''s always had a thing for you-told me so since we were kids. She probably just got nervous seeing you tonight. Come on, man, don''t take it to heart."


    But Victor''s eyes were ice-cold, his patience worn thin. On any other day, maybe he''d have tolerated this for the Brooks family''s sake. Tonight, though, he wasn''t in the mood.


    "You and your sister really are two of a kind," he said, voice sharp as frost. Without another word, he turned and walked out, not bothering to look back.


    Dailey felt a chill run up his spine at the look Victor shot him-cold enough to freeze him in ce. Around them, the other guests started tough and whisper, delighted by the spectacle. Just like that, the Brooks siblings had managed to embarrass themselves in front of everyone.


    Isadora didn''t go home that night. Instead, she drove to Nte''s penthouse at Silkwood Vis, one of the most exclusive addresses in Capitolion.


    Nte had always kept a room ready for her best friend. That''s just how close they were they each had their own ces, but always made sure the other would feel at home.


    After a hot shower, Isadora slipped into her pajamas and wandered into the living room for a bottle of water from the fridge. Just as she took a sip, the front door swung open and in swept Nte, still in a slinky red cocktail dress and strappy heels.


    Isadora blinked. "Back so early?"


    Nte kicked off her heels with a sigh, rubbing her ankles. "Victor left, and the party died. No one wanted to stick around after that."


    Isadora paused, water halfway to her lips. She kept her tone casual. "You mentioned Victor on the phone. What happened?"


    Nte didn''t notice anything off in Isadora''s voice as sheunched into the story. "Patricia tried to cozy up to him tonight, but Victorpletely shut her down. You should''ve seen the look on her face-like she swallowed a handful of flies."


    She flopped onto the couch, voice tinged with admiration. "That man really is in a league of his own. The Brooks family''s one of the city''s oldest money, but he doesn''t care. If he wants to embarrass you, he will."


    Nte gave a little shrug. "Patricia''s a bit of an airhead, but she is gorgeous. Still, rumor has it Victor''s not interested in women at all. Some say he''s gay, which honestly feels like a waste with a body like his."


    Isadora choked on her water, coughing.


    Nte nced over in concern. "You okay, babe?"


    "I''m fine," Isadora managed, her cheeks a little pink. "Just swallowed wrong."


    Nte shot her a sly look, sensing some juicy gossip. "So, what did you want from Victor the other day?"


    Isadora set her water down, settling onto the sofa. "I asked him to invest."


    Nte joined her, stretching out and resting her head in Isadora''sp. Isadora absentmindedly started to massage Nte''s temples—years of practice had made her hands expert at soothing away tension.


    "I saw the news," Nte said, eyes drifting closed in bliss. "The Vaughan Group just got a massive investment from the Fitzgeralds. How''d you manage to convince Victor? What''s really going on between you two?"


    This was so much better than any spa, Nte mused. She''d teased Isadora back when she learned massage just to help Magnus''s headaches, but now she was reaping the benefits.


    "God, your hands are magic," she sighed. "It''s a crime to use this talent only on Magnus."


    Isadora''s fingers tensed for a moment. "Magnus and I really did break up, you know."


    Nte just hummed, eyes still closed. "I know, you told me."


    Isadora frowned at Nte''s nonchnt response, pressing a little harder than necessary. "But you don''t believe me."


    "Ow!" Nte protested, cracking an eye open. "Easy! Just because Magnus is your favorite doesn''t mean I''m not. We''ve been friends forever, remember? Revolutionaryrades, you and me."