Gideon ckwood circled me like a predator, his eyes gleaming with contempt. Beside him, Seraphina Sterling smirked, her arms crossed over her chest.


    "Look at him," she sneered. "The great Liam Knight, eating scraps at our table."


    I kept my expression neutral, focusing on the te of appetizers before me. The charity banquet bustled around us, glittering with Havenwood City''s elite. Music yed softly in the background while waiters glided between guests with trays of champagne.


    Gideon leaned in, his cologne overwhelming. "You should be grateful the Sterlings let you attend at all. Though I suppose someone needs to carry Seraphina''s purse."


    I met his gaze directly. "Enjoy your evening, Gideon. But remember my words when the night ends."


    "Is that a threat?" His eyebrows shot up, then he burst intoughter. "Did you hear that, Seraphina? Your pathetic husband thinks he can threaten me!"


    Seraphina''s lips curled into a cruel smile. "Don''t waste your breath on him. He''s nothing."


    I returned to my food without responding. The shrimp cocktail was surprisingly good—fresh and perfectly seasoned. Small pleasures were worth savoring, especially when surrounded by people like these.


    "Look at him," Seraphina hissed. "More interested in stuffing his face than defending his honor. This is who I''m stuck with."


    "Not for much longer," Gideon whispered, though loud enough for me to hear. "Once things change, you''ll be free of this burden."


    I wiped my mouth with a napkin. Their words couldn''t touch me anymore. Three years of constant belittlement had built calluses over those wounds.


    As they continued their barbs, I surveyed the room. The Sterling family had connections, but they were minor yerspared to some in attendance. The real power was concentrated at the head table, where the city''s true elite gathered.


    "Gideon!" A voice called out, and Damian Prescott approached, his tailored suit announcing his wealth before he even spoke.


    Damian was the son of Rnd Prescott, arguably the richest man in Havenwood City. His family controlled much of the city''s real estate and had fingers in every profitable venture.


    "Damian, excellent timing." Gideon pped him on the shoulder. "I was just exining to our friend Liam here his ce in the natural order."


    Damian barely nced at me. "Sure, whatever. Listen, have you heard the news about the Ashworths?"


    Gideon''s demeanor instantly changed, bing more attentive. The Ashworth name had that effect on people.


    "What about them?" he asked, leaning closer to Damian.


    "They''ve been looking for young talent to sponsor. Word is that Isabelle Ashworth herself is in town, scouting prospects." Damian''s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Michael Ashworth''s granddaughter, can you believe it? The family hosted a private banquetst week."


    Seraphina''s eyes widened. "The Ashworths from Veridia City? Here in Havenwood?"


    "The very same." Damian nodded. "This could be huge for someone with the right connections."


    Gideon straightened his tie, a calcting look crossing his face. "Well, I''ve been expanding my business venturestely. Perhaps it''s time the Ashworths and I were properly introduced."


    I continued eating quietly, watching their excitement build. The mention of the Ashworth family had transformed their postures, their voices, even their expressions. Power did strange things to people who craved it. <code ss="story-note-vis">Thе full sеriеs livеs оn Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе (М|V|L0ЕМРYR).</code>


    "I heard she''s looking for someone innovative," Damian continued. "Someone with vision."


    "That''s me all over," Gideon preened. "What do you know about her?"


    "Beautiful, brilliant, and absolutely ruthless in business. Her grandfather is grooming her to take over the family empire." Damian sipped his champagne. "Getting her endorsement would be like striking gold."


    Seraphina squeezed Gideon''s arm. "You''d be perfect! Your new development project is exactly what would impress someone like her."


    I couldn''t help but smile a little at their assumptions. They noticed.


    "What''s so amusing, Knight?" Gideon snapped.


    "Nothing at all," I replied, keeping my voice light. "Please, continue nning your future with the Ashworths."


    His eyes narrowed. "You think I can''t impress them? Watch and learn how real men operate in this world."


    Damian gestured toward the balcony. "Let''s step outside. I need to make a call to arrange an introduction."


    As they walked away, Seraphina lingered just long enough to whisper, "Remember your ce when I leave you, Liam. Because I will, very soon."


    I watched them disappear onto the terrace, their expectations soaring higher with every step. The fall would be spectacr.


    Twenty minutester, they returned, Gideon looking more smug than ever.


    "It''s practically confirmed," he boasted loudly. "Damian''s contact says she''s personally scouting talent here tonight. Who else could she possibly be interested in?"


    "You''re the obvious choice," Seraphina agreed, hanging on his arm. "Everyone knows the ckwood name carries weight."


    Damian looked less convinced but nodded along. "Just be careful what you say around her. The Ashworths aren''t known for their forgiving nature."


    Gideon waved dismissively. "I know how to handle important people. It''s why I''m sessful."


    "What''s she like anyway?" Seraphina asked. "Is she really as impressive as they say?"


    Damian shrugged. "I''ve only seen her from a distance at events in Veridia. Untouchable, that''s the word people use."


    "Sounds tedious," Gideon snorted. "Another entitled princess who thinks the world should bow to her."


    Damian raised an eyebrow but said nothing.


    "Who does she think she is," Gideon continued, voice getting louder with each drink, ing to our city like she''s doing us a favor? The Ashworths might be big in Veridia, but Havenwood has its own power yers."


    "Gideon," Damian cautioned, "maybe keep it down a bit."


    "Why? It''s true!" Gideonughed. "I bet she''s never worked a day in her life. Probably has people to breathe for her."


    Damian checked his watch. It wouldn''t be long now.


    "In fact," Gideon said, scanning the room, "I think that might be her over there." He pointed toward the far side of the ballroom. "The cold-looking one in blue, standing with—" His voice faltered.


    Damian followed his gaze to where a stunning woman in an elegant blue dress stood conversing. Next to her stood a familiar face—Liam Knight.


    "What the hell?" Gideon blinked rapidly. "Why are they still here?"


    Damian followed his gaze and instantly went pale. "Wait, which woman are you pointing at?"


    "The one talking to Liam''s doppelganger or whatever," Gideon said irritably. "Who is that guy anyway?"


    Damian''s ss nearly slipped from his fingers. His eyes darted between me at the table and the figure across the room who looked identical to me.


    "That''s—that''s not possible," he stammered. "You were talking about "that guy"? Really?!"


    "Who cares? I''m talking about the woman," Gideon cut in. "The ice queen in blue. That has to be Ashworth, right? Look at how everyone''s kissing up to her."


    Damian grabbed Gideon''s arm, panic etched across his face. "Are you insane? That''s Miss Isabelle Ashworth, the Ashworth family''s eldest daughter! If you want to die, go ahead—don''t drag me into this!"