Georgia’s hand trembled slightly against the pearls, her mind slipping back to the suffocating fear Raymond once brought her. She quickly lowered her gaze, hoping to shake the mory off. But before she could blink the dread away, a firm, familiar touch slid against her shoulder.
Nick.
He leaned down just enough for his voice to reach only her, the low rumble of it grounding her instantly. "Don’t look at him, love. Look at ."
Georgia’s breath caught, and when she tilted her chin upward, her eyes collided with Nick’s stormy gaze. Gone was the easy charm he’d worn on stage earlier.
His jaw was tight, his eyes sharp, and his hand at her back tightened possessively, as though daring anyone in the ballroom to challenge him for what was his.
Raymond was still staring, smug with his wine glass. Nick noticed it too, and a dangerous smirk tugged at his lips. Without hesitation, he bent lower, brushing his mouth against Georgia’s ear, his words a dark promise. "He’s nothing. You’re mine. And tonight, everyone will know it."
Georgia placed her hand over Nick’s and smiled, "I know. Don’t worry, I am not threatened by him.
"Good," Nick said before giving Georgia a quick kiss on the cheek. "You’re safe with Ella and Evelyn. I’ll be gone for a few minutes. I just need to deal with sothing," Nick said with a voice loud enough for Ella and Evelyn to hear.
The two ladies looked at him and nodded, as if they were on a secret mission.
They watched Nick walk away before Vicky took their attention. "I need to go too. I need to take a phone call, sothing urgent at work. I just need to find a quiet spot. Please enjoy the food. Eat a lot, don’t wait for ," Vicky said before moving along.
The dinner went normally, and at the end of it, a band started playing so music, and the host invited everyone to dance on the dance floor in front of the stage, as the round dining tables and chairs were already being cleared.
As the music swelled and couples began drifting onto the dance floor, Georgia let her eyes wander, almost against her will. The knot in her stomach hadn’t fully eased, and she wanted to know where Raymond had gone.
Her gaze swept past the glittering gowns and tuxedos, past the laughter and clinking glasses, until it landed on the far end of the ballroom.
Raymond.
He was already on his way out, his tall fra cutting through the crowd with the sa arrogant composure he always carried. But this ti, he wasn’t alone.
He was walking out with his father and another guest.
But another person caught Georgia’s eyes.
Nancy.
Nancy walked just a step ahead of him, her phone pressed to her ear, speaking into it in clipped tones as if the conversation had seized all her attention.
Raymond, anwhile, had slowed, caught up in a discussion with the two n near the doors. His gestures were animated, his head tilted back in a half-smirk as he spoke, clearly reveling in whatever point he was making.
For reasons Georgia couldn’t quite explain, the sight loosened sothing tight in her chest. Seeing them preoccupied and not staring at her.
With Nancy distracted, Raymond, absorbed in his posturing, made her feel... lighter. He wasn’t watching her anymore. He wasn’t looming over her, suffocating her thoughts.
Georgia exhaled slowly, almost in disbelief at the relief washing over her. For the first ti that evening, her pulse cald down. She let her shoulders relax and smoothed her dress against her thighs, grounding herself in the present mont.
Nick’s words echoed in her mind, firm and unwavering. ’Don’t look at him, love. Look at .’
And so she did.
And as Raymond and Nancy disappeared through the ballroom doors, swallowed by the night, Georgia finally could enjoy the party thoroughly.
The tension that had haunted her since spotting Raymond ebbed away, replaced by a gentle hum of anticipation as the music filled the grand room.
Georgia allowed herself to breathe, to smile, to exist in the warmth of the mont. Ella nudged her playfully, tilting her head toward the dance floor. "Co on, let’s not waste this night." Evelyn grinned in agreent, already tugging Georgia up from her chair.
Laughter bubbled from her lips. "Not yet, ladies, I will wait for my man. Let’s do this later. All eyes are watching, I don’t want to give them a bad expression. Let’s wait for them to be drunk," Georgia jested.
Evelyn, Georgia, and Ella had drifted toward a cocktail table, their laughter mingling with the clink of champagne flutes as they indulged in sweet desserts.
A handful of business connections Vicky had proudly introduced earlier gathered around them, eager to bask in their easy charm and radiant energy.
The three won were in high spirits, their smiles glowing, when a voice suddenly sliced through the lively atmosphere.
"Miss Isabella Collins?"
The na, spoken so smoothly yet edged with authority, sent a ripple of tension across the little circle. The won turned in unison, and there she was. Violet Knight, immaculate as ever, Sarah trailing at her side like an obedient underling.
Georgia’s throat tightened. She swallowed hard, her body betraying her fear even though Violet’s eyes weren’t on her; they were fixed on Ella. Her hands instinctively clasped behind her back, as if to hide the tremor she couldn’t suppress.
But Evelyn noticed. Without hesitation, she slid her hand into Georgia’s and gave it a firm, grounding squeeze. A silent ssage passed between them: ’You’re not alone. Not this ti.’
Ella, already aware of the cruelty Violet had dealt her best friend, refused to let it show. Instead, she smiled with effortless grace, playing her role as though she’d been born to it.
"Hello," Ella said warmly, extending her hand. "You must be Mrs. Violet Knight. I’m so happy to finally et you."
Violet leaned in, brushing her cheek against Ella’s in a perfectly rehearsed kiss before pulling her into an embrace.
"I must apologize for barging in like this," Violet purred with a sugary tone but edged with steel. "Liam insisted I wait for his introduction, but patience has never been my strength. And then I saw that Vicky invited Ms. Lewis as well. Tell —do you know each other?"
Her question lingered in the air like bait.
Ella’s eyes softened, but her movents were sharp with intention. Without hesitation, she slid her arm through Georgia’s and drew her close, the gesture bold, protective, unshakable. Her smile sparkled as if nothing could ruffle her poise.
"Yes," Ella said, her voice carrying with quiet pride. "Georgia is my best friend, and she’s the reason I was able to start my business. She believed in when no one else did. She’s my investor, and she still is."
The conviction in her words was like a shield, wrapping around Georgia and forcing Violet’s carefully crafted smile to stiffen at the edges.
"Oh, I see." Violet’s tone was light, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of irritation before she smoothed it over with another gracious smile. "That’s good to hear, then."
Georgia, pressed against Ella’s side, felt her heart hamr in her chest.
"And I see you’re here as well. I believe I’ve seen you a few tis before," Violet said smoothly, her eyes sliding toward Evelyn.
Before Evelyn could open her mouth, Sarah cut in with a bitter laugh. "She was the chief steward on our ship. Ended her contract early the mont Nick walked away. If I didn’t know she was with Steven, I’d almost think she quit just to chase after Nick."
Evelyn didn’t even flinch. She tilted her chin up, her smile radiant and disarming. "Oh, but you’re absolutely right, Sarah," she said. "I did follow Nick. He even paid for my termination fee." With poise, she extended her hand toward Violet. "Hello, Mrs. Knight. I’m Evelyn Gibson, Nicholas’s new secretary."
The room seed to pause. Violet accepted the handshake, her brows lifting in surprise. "So... you quit your seafaring career to beco my son’s secretary?"
"Yes, Mrs. Knight," Evelyn replied, her tone unwavering, "but also because I’m getting married. And, well, being at sea is hardly the right choice when you’re planning to start a family. Especially when children are in the future." Her words sparkled with confidence, her smile too dazzling for Violet to twist.
Before Violet could retort, a warm, authoritative voice swept into the conversation. "I see you’re all getting acquainted without ."
Benjamin Knight stepped into the circle, his presence commanding enough to make people instinctively shift to make space. He extended his hand toward Ella, his expression lit with polite curiosity.
At that sa mont, Georgia’s phone vibrated in her clutch. She glanced down and her heart softened at the na on the screen—Katie. "Excuse , I need to take this," she said with an apologetic smile before slipping out of the group.
The call was brief and tender—Katie wishing her goodnight, their voices lingering with affection before the line went quiet. Georgia tucked her phone away, ready to return to the glittering ballroom...
But of course, fate had other plans.
As she stepped into the hallway, Nancy erged from the shadows like a predator waiting for its chance. Blocking her path, her eyes glead with malice. "Going sowhere, Georgia?" she hissed, making it clear she’d been waiting for this very mont.
*******
Thank you for the Golden Tickets!
Kirstin_Jones
Nanie_Garcia_5461
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