Prescott had just been thrown out.


    A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd, everyone watching to see how Terrell would handle the situation with the Vaughan Group.


    Terrell took the microphone from the host, his gentle eyes flicking briefly to Isadora.


    When Isadora caught the reassuring look he sent her way, her nerves settled just a little.


    But Terrell quickly looked away, addressing the audience once more.


    "Our association is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. From the very beginning, our goal has been friendly exchange and mutual growth. Over the years, we''ve be a benchmark in the industry. It''s that openness and willingness to embrace new ideas that''s allowed us to flourish."


    "As for what just happened-this is ultimately a matter for the Vaughan Group to resolve internally. It''s not our ce to interfere or make hasty judgments."


    With Mr. Fawcett''s word, the crowd rxed. Themotion faded, the drama slowly losing its sting.


    J, Isadora''s assistant, finally hurried back.


    She kept her head down and spoke softly, "I''m sorry, President Vaughan-I wasn''t able to call security in time."


    Isadora gave her a long, meaningful look.


    She''d always known J had a tendency for little schemes behind the scenes. But Isadora had forgiven her, remembering how J had been fresh out of college when she first started as her assistant. This time, though, J had crossed a line.


    Isadora''s expression hardened. "Starting today, you don''t need to follow me anymore."


    J stared at her, stunned. "President Vaughan, you''re firing me just because I was five minuteste calling security?"


    Isadora let out a coldugh. "Do you really want me to list all the things you''ve done behind my back?"


    "For instance-when Pearl stole the project proposal from my office and took it to the Fitzgerald Group to pitch for funding, are you going to pretend you didn''t know? Didn''t you cover for her?"


    J hadn''t expected Isadora to bring up something from so long ago. Back then, she''d just graduated—she hadn''t wanted to get involved in the Vaughan family''s internal feuds, so she''d kept quiet.


    Isadora, she thought bitterly, is the worst kind of boss-holding grudges, pretending to let things go, only to bring them up againter. J wasn''t about to stick around for this.


    She turned on her heel and stormed off, anger written all over her face.


    Isadora didn''t spare her another nce. Her gaze found Terrell across the room, surrounded by a cluster of business leaders.


    She waited until he was finally alone, then crossed the room to him.


    "Mr. Fawcett, thank you for what you did just now."


    Terrell adjusted his sses, meeting her eyes. "You''re wee."


    Truth be told, after Prescott''s outburst, he could have expelled the Vaughan


    Group from the association right then and there. But he hadn''t.


    Isadora couldn''t help asking, "Why did you help me?"


    Terrell smiled—a warm, gentle smile that put people at ease. "President Vaughan, don''t you remember me?"


    Isadora blinked, studying him more closely.


    He was tall, with an upright posture and a lean, graceful face. His eyes, behind his sses, were deep but approachable, his skin smooth and fair-a true gentleman, refined and soft-spoken. Unlike Victor, whose looks were sharp and striking, Terrell''s presence was understated. Still, if she''d met a man like him before, Isadora thought she would have remembered.


    Terrell spoke quietly. "Three years ago, at Culinary Haven-the night you reserved the whole ce."


    At his words, a faint memory stirred.


    It was Magnus''s birthday. Isadora had rented out a restaurant, nning an intimate candlelit dinner to celebrate. But Magnus had stood her up again.


    She''d waited until closing time. The staff told her they needed to lock up. Isadora stared at the cold tes on the table and the untouched cake, unwilling to let the night end that way.


    She''d pleaded with the staff to let her stay until midnight, just one more hour. But they''d refused-restaurant policy, they said.


    Then, a man passing by overheard her request. He paused, then told the staff, "Let her stay. The restaurant closes when thisdy is ready to leave."


    She hadn''t realized until now-that man had been Terrell.


    Isadora''s eyes widened. "That was you."


    Terrell chuckled softly. "How are things between you and your boyfriend now?"


    Isadora shook her head, her answer simple. "I''m single."


    Terrell''s smile deepened. He remembered-it had been the night his first love, Winnie, chose her dream of ballet over him and left.