Outside, couples stepped out of limousines and sports cars, showing off their jewelry and designer dresses. Photographers and journalists covered the event, ensuring every detail of the wedding was documented for the society pages. William got out first, adjusting his suit naturally. Then he extended his hand to Isabella, who accepted without hesitation.
When she stepped out of the car, the immediate impact was undeniable. All eyes turned to her. Women whispered among themselves, trying to figure out who the mysterious woman accompanying William Lancaster was, while men watched her with interest.
Isabella, however, didn’t flinch. With impeccable poise, she lifted her chin and smiled discreetly, as if she were already used to being the center of attention. William guided her down the red carpet toward the entrance of the hall.
«Follow my lead,» William whispered. «Be polite, smile, and don’t draw unnecessary attention.»
She raised an eyebrow. «Did you bring me here to make your ex jealous or to be invisible?» William pressed his lips together, not answering. «That’s what I thought,» Isabella said with amusement.
They passed through the double doors and entered the grand hall, where crystal chandeliers sparkled under golden light. The room was filled with high-society figures, dressed in their finest attire. It didn’t take long for Olivia and her fiancé to come into William’s line of sight.
Olivia looked stunning in an elegant white dress, her smile perfectly crafted to charm everyone. Charles Montrose, her future husband, was exactly the type her family would approve of—wealthy, traditional, and predictable. Olivia’s eyes met William’s. For a brief second, she seemed surprised to see him there, but then her gaze landed on Isabella and froze.
Olivia’s expression changed subtly, as if trying to figure out who this dazzling woman next to her ex-fiancé was. With a calculated smile, William led Isabella directly toward them.
«Olivia,» he greeted her with a polite yet cold tone.
She blinked a few times before forcing a smile. «William, what a surprise! I didn’t expect you to come.»
«Of course I came,» he said, then looked at Isabella. «And I brought company.»
Olivia examined Isabella from head to toe. «We haven’t been introduced. You are?»
Before William could respond, Isabella extended her hand naturally. «Isabella, a pleasure to meet you.» Her voice was firm, elegant, her posture was flawless, and her smile showed no sign of submission.
Olivia hesitated before shaking her hand, clearly uncomfortable. «You look… familiar,» Olivia remarked.
Isabella smiled, tilting her head slightly. «Do I?»
Olivia forced another smile, but William noticed the tension in her eyes. She was unsettled, exactly as he wanted. Charles cleared his throat, trying to break the awkward atmosphere.
«Shall we toast?» he asked, raising his champagne glass.
William nodded, but before he could turn, Isabella gave a polite smile and said something that caught everyone off guard. «I hope you’ll be very happy. Marriage is a serious commitment. I was once engaged myself.»
William froze. Olivia and Charles exchanged glances.
«Really?» Olivia asked, forcing a casual tone.
Isabella nodded, taking a sip of champagne. «But it didn’t work out. My fiancé decided I wasn’t the right choice for his family.»
William felt a chill run through him. She was sending a clear message, and Olivia caught it. His ex-fiancée’s eyes narrowed slightly.
«That’s an interesting coincidence.»
«I think so too,» Isabella smiled.
An uncomfortable silence filled the air. William could tell Olivia was struggling to keep her composure. Finally, Isabella lightly touched William’s arm.
«Would you like to dance?»
He blinked, surprised. «Dance?»
«Yes. Or would you rather stay here and watch your ex-fiancée try to figure out where she knows me from?»
William chuckled softly. He liked the game Isabella was playing. «Let’s dance.»
They walked away, leaving Olivia behind, visibly disturbed. As they glided across the dance floor to the orchestra’s melody, William looked straight into Isabella’s eyes.
«You did that on purpose.»
She smiled. «Didn’t I tell you I’ve been in this world before?»
William felt a mix of irritation and admiration. Isabella wasn’t just a homeless woman he had found on the street. She knew exactly what she was doing.
The music flowed smoothly through the ballroom as William and Isabella moved across the dance floor. His gaze remained locked on hers, trying to figure her out. Isabella maintained flawless composure, her lips curved into a mysterious smile as if she knew exactly what she was doing.
«You keep surprising me,» William murmured, leading her with precision.
«Is that a good thing or a bad thing?» Isabella arched an eyebrow.
«I haven’t decided yet.»
She laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. «I think you’ve already realized that I’m not exactly what I seem.»
«I’ve realized that you know much more about this world than you should.»
Isabella tilted her head slightly. «Let’s just say I’ve been surrounded by people like this before.»
Before William could ask more, a group of businessmen approached, holding champagne glasses and offering friendly smiles. They were investors and magnates William knew well.
«Lancaster,» one of them said, shaking William’s hand. «You finally decided to show up at a social event.»
William returned a firm handshake. «I thought it would be interesting to celebrate the couple.» The businessmen’s attention quickly shifted to Isabella, studying her with interest.
«And who is your lovely companion?»
Before William could respond, Isabella stepped forward and extended her hand naturally. «Isabella, a pleasure to meet you.» She spoke with such natural confidence that none of the businessmen questioned her presence.
«Isabella,» one of them repeated, studying her. «Your face looks familiar.»
Isabella smiled, keeping the mystery alive. «Perhaps we’ve met at an event before.»
The businessmen nodded thoughtfully but didn’t press further. William watched her closely. Isabella was blending in far too easily.
«And what do you do, Isabella?» another businessman asked, intrigued.
She picked up a champagne glass from a passing waiter, swirling the liquid before answering. «I enjoy observing the financial market. The rise in technology investments has been quite interesting lately, especially the new startups focused on artificial intelligence.»
There was a brief silence. William almost laughed at the surprised expressions on the businessmen’s faces. None of them had expected such an articulate response.
«That’s a rather specific topic,» one of the men commented.
Isabella smiled, taking a sip of her drink. «I just follow trends. After all, everything comes down to who gets the inside information first, doesn’t it?»
The men laughed, now more at ease. Isabella had captured their interest. William, however, felt a growing frustration. Isabella wasn’t just fitting in; she was taking over.
Before he could intervene, a tall man with a distinguished appearance approached. Damien Blackwood, one of the country’s most influential investors, known for his sharp business instincts and his ability to size people up quickly.
«Isabella, right?» Damien looked at her with interest. «You seem very comfortable here.»
She turned to him with a polite smile. «Maybe because I am.»
Damien laughed. «I like that. And what’s your relationship with Lancaster?»
She shot William a playful look before answering. «Just an interesting partnership.»
William felt his blood boil. Isabella was playing her own game, and he didn’t like losing control.
«Indeed,» William interjected, taking the glass from her hand and handing it to a waiter. «Now if you’ll excuse us, I need to steal my companion for a moment.»
He grabbed her wrist and led her to a more secluded area of the ballroom. «What exactly are you doing?» he asked through clenched teeth.
Isabella smiled. «Just having fun.»
«You’re standing out too much.»
«Wasn’t that the plan? To make your ex-fiancée jealous?»
William narrowed his eyes. «You play very well, Isabella.»
She tilted her head. «And you don’t like it when you can’t control the game, do you?»
William let out a short laugh. «You’re not just a simple beggar.»
Isabella crossed her arms. «And you took a while to figure that out.»
Before he could respond, Olivia appeared beside them. «I hope you’re enjoying the party,» she said politely, though her eyes assessed Isabella cautiously.
«Very much,» Isabella answered before William could speak.
Olivia forced a calculated smile. «You know, Isabella, I feel like we’ve met before.»
«Maybe,» Isabella replied with a shrug. «The high society world can be small, after all.»
William noticed the way Olivia pressed her lips together. «And where do you know William from?» Olivia insisted.
Isabella smiled. «I think it’s more fun if that stays a mystery.»
Olivia let out a soft laugh, though there was something sharp in her gaze. «Of course. Mystery always adds an interesting touch to stories.» She turned to William. «Can we talk for a moment?»
William nodded, but before stepping away, he cast one last look at Isabella. She simply smiled as if she knew exactly what she was doing.
