Isadora wasn''t nearly as thick-skinned as he was. She turned her head and shot him a re, though it didn''t hold much weight.


    But just as she did, her gaze collided with Victor''s those deep-set, striking eyes of his.


    His eyes were shaded and intense, the outer corners tilting upward in a way that could almost steal someone''s breath away.


    Isadora opened her mouth to say something, but the moment she met that midnight gaze, she felt her cheeks heat up, color spreading slowly across her skin.


    Usually, it was just the two of them together.


    Now, with her closest friend sitting right there, she felt a twinge of embarrassment —a girlish awkwardness-but more than that, a strange fluttering sensation she couldn''t quite name.


    Across the table, Nte''s impression of this so-called ''prince'' was still stuck on theirst encounter at the hospital, when he''d pulled up in his car and interfered, high-handed and domineering.


    Now, here he was in person, and the reality of his presence was even more intense.


    Nte had seen her fair share of handsome men in show business-models, actors, you name it—but there was something about Victor Fitzgerald''s effortless elegance, that careless nobility in every gesture, that set him apart. None of those pretty boys couldpare.


    At that moment, Rowena reached across the table, raising her ss of wine toward Victor and saying in her soft, sweet voice, "Mr. Fitzgerald, thank you again for helping me get those documents on Abbott''s illegal dealings. I wanted to use this dinner as another chance to show my gratitude."


    Victor arched an eyebrow, his eyelids lifting just a touch as his gaze flicked indifferently past the winess. He didn''t reach for his own to return the toast. Instead, his long fingers tapped lightly on the table, his tone casual, almostzy. "Someone''s already thanked me. Besides... I wasn''t helping you."


    Rowena''s hand hung awkwardly in the air, ss poised mid-toast, her smile faltering.


    Isadora jabbed him in the side with her elbow, shooting him a warning look.


    "Don''t mind him, Rowena. That''s just how he is."


    Rowena managed a stiff smile, finally setting her ss back down.


    Nte, who was used to the fast pace and easy banter of showbiz, jumped in to lighten the mood. "So, what kind of ''thank you'' are we talking about here?"


    She grinned, then teased, "If I wanted to star in an indie film up for an Oscar this year, would you help out for Isadora''s sake, Mr. Fitzgerald?"


    Isadora bit her lip. "Nte!"


    Nte justughed. "What? Just looking out for you, that''s all.”


    Victor didn''t agree or refuse. His warm,nguid gaze drifted to Isadora, and his voice waszy as ever: "Ask her."


    The meaning was clear-if Isadora said yes, nothing was impossible. And it was obvious he only did these things for her.


    Getting a role in that kind of film was usually reserved for seasoned, award- winning actors with decades of experience. For someone like Nte-a starlet mostly known for her roles in popr TV dramas-the opportunity was nothing short of impossible.


    She''d only meant it as a joke. Yet, with a single word from Victor, it seemed she could have the role in a heartbeat.


    Nte couldn''t help but size Victor up again.


    No matter how rich a man was, no one would go this far for a woman unless he truly liked her. Men weren''t fools.


    The realization made Nte genuinely happy for Isadora, and her smile grew even brighter.


    "Mr. Fitzgerald, you really are generous! I''ll drink to that cheers to you!" She tipped her ss and drank, leaving him to do as he pleased.


    The servers came and went, refilling wine and water.


    Victor leaned back in his chair, looking rxed. He barely ate, instead spending his time picking out food for Isadora, and even took up the seafood cracker to expertly shell pieces of skan crab with his elegant, slender fingers.