Would you like to dance? He blinked, surprised. Dance? Yes. Or would you rather stay here and watch your ex-fiancé 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. He 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-fiancé 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. William followed Olivia to a private balcony.
The night was cold, and the city lights sparkled in the distance, but the look on the woman in front of him burned like fire. Who is she, William? Olivia asked bluntly, crossing her arms over her immaculate dress. He kept his expression neutral.
Isabella, my companion. She let out a dry laugh. Don’t treat me like a fool.
I know the kind of woman you bring to events like this. And she doesn’t fit the mold. William felt a surge of irritation.
What exactly do you want to know, Olivia? She stared at him intensely. Where did she come from? He hesitated for a second, and that was enough for Olivia to catch on. My God, she whispered as if she had pieced the puzzle together.
You found this woman on the street, didn’t you? William didn’t confirm it, but his silence said it all. This is unbelievable, Olivia said with a disbelieving laugh. You brought a beggar to provoke me? I brought a confident, intelligent woman who fits in here perfectly, he countered firmly.
A woman who knows too much for someone who was supposedly living on the street, Olivia retorted, narrowing her eyes. She doesn’t belong in this world, or does she? William didn’t like her tone. Don’t try to play games with me, Olivia.
You don’t have that right anymore. She raised an eyebrow. Maybe I don’t, but I have the right to know who I’m dealing with.
Olivia straightened her posture as if she had already made a decision. If I were you, William, I’d be careful. That woman didn’t show up in your life by chance.
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked back to the ballroom, leaving William alone with his doubts. Isabella felt the stares as she moved through the guests. It was inevitable.
Since her arrival, everyone had been trying to figure out who she was, but she moved with ease, as if she had always belonged there. Then Olivia appeared in front of her. You dance well.
Isabella smiled. Thank you. So do you.
Olivia tilted her head, studying her. And you speak well. You know how to carry yourself at an event like this.
I appreciate the compliment, Isabella said calmly. It wasn’t a compliment. It was an observation.
Isabella noticed the tension in Olivia’s eyes. You think you know me? Olivia laughed softly. I don’t think.
I know. Isabella kept her posture steady. Then tell me, Olivia, who do you think I am? Olivia observed her for a long moment before smiling.
That’s what I’m still trying to figure out. She picked up a glass of champagne from a waiter’s tray. But don’t worry, Isabella.
I always find out. She took a sip and disappeared into the crowd. Isabella stood still, taking a deep breath.
Olivia was starting to suspect something. And that was a problem. In the car, William drove in silence.
Isabella watched the bright city streets. But she could tell he was unsettled. You want to ask me something? She said.
I do. He didn’t take his eyes off the road. But I don’t know if you’ll answer.
She smiled. Depends on the question. William turned the wheel, making a sharp turn.
Who are you, Isabella? She crossed her legs, relaxed. The woman you chose to make an impression on your ex-fiancé? No. His jaw tightened.
You know too much. You act like someone who has lived in this world before. She stayed quiet.
William pulled up in front of his hotel and turned to face her. I had you investigated. She didn’t look surprised.
And what did you find? He studied her. Nothing. You don’t exist, Isabella.
No records. No recent information. It’s as if you erased your own life.
She gave a small smile. Maybe some things need to be erased. William felt a mix of frustration and fascination.
I don’t like mysteries. Then maybe I’m not the right person for you. She opened the car door and stepped out, walking into the hotel without looking back.
William sat still for a moment, his fingers gripping the steering wheel. She was hiding something. And he was going to find out.
Isabella locked the door and leaned against it. Her heart was racing. Olivia was suspicious.
William was suspicious. She looked at herself in the mirror. The luxurious dress.
The flawless makeup. For a moment, she looked like someone else. Or maybe she was becoming who she had always been.
She pulled out the disposable phone hidden in her bag and typed a short message. He started investigating. The reply came seconds later.
Then it’s time for you to decide your next move. Isabella deleted the message and let out a quiet sigh. She knew she couldn’t keep this secret for long.