«Isabella,» she said, a venomous smile on her lips. «Glad you accepted my invitation.»

«You didn’t give me much choice,» Isabella replied, taking a glass of champagne from a waiter.

Olivia tilted her head. «I hope you’ve enjoyed the attention you’ve been getting lately. The media loved your story.»

«I’ve gotten used to being the center of attention. Something you’ve always wanted, haven’t you?»

Olivia’s eyes flashed with anger for a second, but she quickly regained her composure. «Isabella, dear, you’ve lost. Again. No matter what you try, you’ll never be someone again.»

Isabella smiled. «You’re wrong.»

Olivia narrowed her eyes. «What do you mean?»

William appeared at Isabella’s side, his imposing presence making Olivia stiffen. «Dear Olivia, it looks like you didn’t read the papers today,» he said, handing her an envelope.

Olivia opened it and turned pale as she read. It was a complete dossier proving her involvement in the scheme that had ruined the Devereaux family. Documents, recordings, signatures—undeniable evidence.

«This is fake,» Olivia whispered, her hands trembling.

«No, it’s not,» Isabella said triumphantly. «And tomorrow morning, it’ll be on every front page.»

Olivia completely lost her composure. «You can’t do this to me!»

William smiled coldly. «Just like you did to Isabella?»

Olivia looked around, realizing that all eyes were on her. The scandal had already begun. Her reputation was ruined. She was finished.

«This can’t be happening,» she murmured in shock.

Isabella leaned in and whispered in her ear. «Now you know what it feels like to lose everything.»

Olivia glanced around, realizing that everyone was witnessing her humiliation. Her empire of power was crumbling right before her eyes. Then, before she could react, the ballroom door swung open. Two police officers walked in, followed by a prosecutor.

«Miss Olivia Harrington?» one of the officers announced.

She froze. «Yes?»

«You are under arrest for financial fraud, embezzlement, and market manipulation.»

The entire ballroom fell silent. Olivia let out a nervous laugh. «This is ridiculous. I am Olivia Harrington.»

«And now you’re also a criminal,» Isabella replied coldly.

The officers stepped forward and handcuffed Olivia. «William,» she screamed, desperate. «Say something!»

He simply looked at her with indifference. «Your only mistake was thinking you’d never get caught.»

As she was dragged away, Olivia shot one last look at Isabella, her eyes burning with hatred. «This isn’t over.»

«For you, it is.»

And just like that, in front of the elite who once admired her, Olivia was taken away. Isabella let out a long breath. For the first time in years, she felt truly free.

The next day, Olivia’s arrest dominated the news. Her financial empire collapsed within hours as investors and allies abandoned her. Later that evening, Isabella and William were in his penthouse, looking out over the city through the window. She held a glass of wine but didn’t drink, deep in thought.

«You did it,» William said.

«We did it.»

He smiled. «And now?»

Isabella sighed. «I start over.»

William felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest when he heard that. «I want to help you.»

She looked at him, skeptical. «How?»

He walked over to her, took an envelope, and handed it to her. «This is a proposal for a new business, a company in your name.»

She blinked, surprised. «What?»

«I want to start something for you. A business of your own, with your name, your independence.»

She set her wine glass down and crossed her arms. «William, I don’t need your charity.»

He chuckled, shaking his head. «This isn’t charity; it’s a partnership. You have talent, you have vision. I want you to have something that belongs to you.»

She hesitated. «I don’t know.»

He took her hands in his. «Isabella, you’ve spent years fighting. It’s time to start building something real.»

She remained silent for a long time. Then, she sighed. «Alright, but on one condition.»

«What condition?»

She stepped closer, her eyes locked on his. «I do this my way.»

William smiled. «You always do.»

The air between them changed. Something warm, intense lingered there. She looked away, but he gently cupped her face.

«Isabella,» he murmured.

She didn’t resist when he pulled her into a kiss. This time, there were no barriers between them. The tension, the unspoken feelings—everything erupted in that moment. William held her tightly, as if afraid she might slip away. After the kiss, Isabella pulled back, met his gaze, and softly said, «Good night, William.» Then she turned and walked away.

William stood still, but he knew she felt something too.

Days later, Devereaux Consulting was born. A strategic investment and analysis firm, Isabella threw herself into it, building her team and reconnecting with old contacts. Slowly, she began to reclaim her place in the business world. William stayed by her side the entire time, never imposing, but always present. Until one night, he realized he had to tell her how he felt.

«I’m in love with you,» he said without hesitation.

She blinked, caught off guard. «William…»

«I know it’s soon, but I can’t pretend anymore.»

She looked away, her heart pounding. «I can’t.»

«What do you mean?»

She took a deep breath. «I’m not ready for a relationship. I just got my life back, and I need to focus on that.»

William nodded, though it hurt more than he wanted to admit. «Alright.»

She gave him a soft smile. «You always understand.»

«But I’m not a man who gives up easily.»

In the weeks that followed, William made sure she knew he wasn’t giving up. Every morning, he left a fresh cup of coffee on her desk. «To keep you going,» he’d say with a smile. Then came the dinners.

«Is this a date?» she asked one evening.

«Just dinner between business partners,» he replied casually.

And then the small surprises. One night, after a long day, Isabella returned to her office to find a bouquet of white lilies on her desk with a note: «I know you like coffee more than flowers, but I hope you’ll enjoy these anyway.» She chuckled, feeling something stir inside her.

But William wasn’t just trying to win her over; he was supporting her. When an investor tried to deceive her, William was the first to warn her. When the media attempted to twist her story, he used his influence to ensure the truth was told. And when Isabella had a rough day, he showed up with a bottle of wine and a concerned look.

«Want to talk about it?»

She hesitated, but for the first time, allowed herself to open up.

Months passed, and Devereaux Consulting grew stronger by the day. Isabella finally felt she had control over her life, but there was something she couldn’t deny: William was always there. She tried to ignore the feelings that surfaced every time he smiled at her.

One evening, Isabella attended a business event that gathered the biggest names in the market. She moved gracefully through the room, greeting investors and CEOs with the confidence of someone who had faced the worst and survived. Her navy blue dress was sophisticated, yet understated, still drawing attention. She focused on making meaningful connections, but it didn’t take long for her to sense someone watching her.

Liam Bissett, a renowned French investor, approached with a charming smile. He was a charismatic man with dark hair and intense eyes. «Miss Devereux, I finally have the pleasure of meeting you in person.»

Isabella returned a polite smile. «Mr. Bissett, the pleasure is mine.»

He extended his hand, but instead of a formal handshake, he leaned in slightly and kissed the back of her hand, a traditional but captivating gesture. «I would say the pleasure is all mine,» he said, his gaze holding hers.

Isabella was used to such advances but maintained her composure. «I assume you’re here for business.»

«Business can wait for a moment, don’t you think?» He tilted his head and extended a hand to her. «May I have this dance?» She hesitated briefly but decided to accept. Dancing meant nothing.

Liam guided her to the dance floor, holding her waist firmly but respectfully. They moved in sync, and Isabella realized he was a skilled dancer.

«You dance well, Miss Devereux.»

«I’ve learned that a strong presence is essential in business,» she replied.

«And outside of business?» He smiled, leaning slightly closer. «Aren’t there moments when you just let yourself enjoy life?»

Isabella let out a soft laugh. «Are you always this persistent?»

«Only when I find something that genuinely interests me.»

The music ended, but Liam didn’t immediately let go of her hand. He led her back to the bar, grabbing two glasses of champagne and handing one to Isabella. «So tell me, does a powerful woman like you ever make time for fun?»

Before Isabella could answer, she felt a penetrating gaze on her. She turned and saw William Lancaster on the other side of the room. His face was serious, his eyes darkened with something she recognized instantly: jealousy.

William crossed the room with determined strides, ignoring the greetings he received along the way. When he reached Isabella and Liam, he stopped beside her, his irritation barely concealed. «Isabella, may I speak with you for a moment?» His voice was firm but laced with tension.

Liam raised an eyebrow and offered a polite smile. «Mr. Lancaster, correct? I’ve heard a lot about you.»

«And I’ve heard about you,» William replied coldly. The atmosphere around them seemed to drop a few degrees.

«William, we’re in the middle of a conversation,» Isabella said, trying to maintain composure.

«Yes, I noticed,» William said, shooting a glance at Liam. «And as much as I’d love to keep watching this unfold, I have more important matters to discuss with Isabella.»

Liam maintained a polite demeanor, but Isabella sensed he had picked up on the tension. «It seems your friend doesn’t like sharing attention,» Liam murmured to her, amused.

Before Isabella could respond, William took a step forward, making it clear he didn’t appreciate the comment. «You’ve had your dance, Bissett. Now, if you don’t mind…»

«Excuse me, Mr. Bissett,» Isabella huffed, grabbing William’s arm firmly. «I’ll be back in a moment.» She pulled William toward a more secluded area, her steps firm. When they reached a hallway away from the dance floor, she turned to him, furious.

«What was that, William?»

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm his anger. «I couldn’t stand seeing that guy hitting on you.»

«And that gives you the right to act like a complete idiot? Did you really not notice the way he was looking at you? He wasn’t interested in business, Isabella.»

«And if he was, that’s my business, not yours!»

William was silent for a moment, his eyes glinting with frustration. «You’re right,» he finally admitted. «But I hate the idea of seeing you with another man.»

Isabella took a deep breath, trying to control her anger. «I’m not yours, William. You have no right to be jealous.» She turned to leave, but William followed her to the parking lot.

«Isabella, wait.»

She spun around abruptly. «What more do you want?»

«I want you to listen to me.»

«I’ve heard enough. You need to understand that you can’t control me.»

The tension between them was explosive. William stared at her fiercely, and Isabella felt her body buzzing with adrenaline. Then, suddenly, he pulled her toward him and kissed her. It was a desperate kiss, filled with anger and suppressed desire. Isabella froze for a second, but then, unable to resist, she kissed him back.

But then reality hit her, and she pushed him away. «You can’t do that.»

William was breathing heavily, his eyes darkened with desire. «I know you felt it.»

«That doesn’t justify anything.» She turned and got into her car. Before he could say another word, she sped out of the parking lot, leaving William behind.

The next day, Isabella was in her office, but her mind was still on what had happened. She tried to focus on her reports, but the memory of the kiss haunted her. Then, the door opened, and William walked in.

«You can’t just show up unannounced,» she said without looking up.

«I came to apologize.»

She finally looked at him. «For the jealousy, or for the kiss you stole?»

He sighed. «Both.»

«Good. Now if you don’t mind, I have work to do.» William chose not to insist and walked away. She turned back to her documents.

That night, Isabella left the office late. As she approached her car, she noticed something was wrong. The window had been scratched, a word crudely etched onto the glass: BEWARE. Her blood ran cold. Someone was trying to scare her.

Her first instinct was to call William, but she hesitated. She didn’t want to give him another reason to act like her protector. But before she could decide, a message appeared on her phone: «Alone you won’t get anywhere. Know when to quit.» This time, she didn’t hesitate. She picked up the phone and dialed.