Isabelle's eyes narrowed as she stared down Seraphina. The room fell so silent I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my chest.
"I thought so," Isabelle said coolly when Seraphina remained frozen in place. "Perhaps next ti you'll think before speaking so carelessly, Mrs. Sterling." She turned dismissively from Seraphina, addressing the crowd. "Now, if you'll excuse us. Mr. Knight deserves proper introductions to the people who matter."
The insult landed perfectly. Seraphina's face contorted with humiliation as Isabelle took my arm and guided away from the stage. I could feel Seraphina's burning glare on my back as we walked.
"That woman never learns," Isabelle murmured, her grip on my arm tightening slightly. "Consider this your first lesson in high society, Liam. So people will always try to drag you down, especially when they see you rising."
As we moved across the opulent ballroom, I noticed Gideon hovering nearby, his expression a mixture of panic and hope. He seed desperate to salvage sothing from this night.
Isabelle led toward a table positioned in the center of the room, elevated slightly above the others. Even I knew what this ant – this was where the true power players sat.
"Don't let them intimidate you," she whispered. "Rember, you have ."
Those four simple words steadied my nerves. I might be an imposter in this world of wealth and influence, but Isabelle Ashworth believed in . That had to count for sothing.
The table's occupants watched our approach with undisguised interest. I recognized William Vance imdiately – the silver-haired pharmaceutical magnate whose company controlled nearly half of Havenwood's dical industry. Beside him sat Margaret Chen, whose family owned the largest shipping company on the east coast. These were people who could make or destroy careers with a single word.
"Everyone," Isabelle announced as we reached the table, "this is Liam Knight, the brilliant researcher I've been telling you about."
I forced myself to stand tall despite my racing heart. Three years of being treated like dirt by the Sterlings had trained to lower my eyes, to make myself invisible. No more. If I was going to prove myself worthy of Isabelle's faith, I needed to act the part.
"It's an honor to et you all," I said, eting each person's gaze directly.
William Vance studied with shrewd eyes. "So you're the miracle worker Isabelle has been raving about. Tell , young man, what makes your research so special? We fund dozens of pharmaceutical startups every year."
I felt a flash of panic. This was it – the mont where I either sank or swam.
Isabelle squeezed my arm reassuringly before taking her seat. "William, Liam's approach to cellular regeneration is unlike anything your team has developed. His thods could halve recovery tis for severe trauma patients."
William raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well, Mr. Knight, it seems you've made quite an impression on Miss Ashworth, and she's not easily impressed." This trаnslаtiоn is pоwеrеd by thе rеаdеrs аt М|V|LЕ9МРYR.
I took the empty seat beside Isabelle, acutely aware of how out of place I felt. "Miss Ashworth has been extrely generous in her assessnt of my work."
"False modesty doesn't suit a man in your position," Margaret Chen remarked, swirling her champagne. "If Isabelle's backing you with twenty million, you must have sothing extraordinary."
"He does," Isabelle affird before I could respond. "Liam sees possibilities others miss. His current status doesn't reflect his potential."
Current status. A polite way of acknowledging that until very recently, I'd been nothing more than Seraphina Sterling's doormat. I felt heat rise to my face but forced myself to maintain eye contact.
"Miss Ashworth's faith in is sothing I intend to prove worthy of," I said firmly.
As I looked at William, sothing caught my attention. A faint dark mist seed to surround his chest area – visible only to my newly awakened senses. The jade pendant against my skin felt warm. Without thinking, I spoke.
"Mr. Vance, have you been experiencing any chest pains lately? Particularly after climbing stairs?"
The table fell silent. William's eyes widened slightly before narrowing with suspicion.
"What makes you ask that?" he demanded.
"I... I notice certain patterns in people's physiological responses," I improvised, imdiately regretting my impulsive question. "There's a slight arrhythmic pattern in your breathing that suggests possible coronary issues."
William's face darkened. "Young man, I have the best doctors in the country. I don't need amateur diagnoses at a charity dinner."
"I apologize," I said quickly. "I ant no offense."
"William," Isabelle interjected smoothly, "Liam's background in dical research makes him particularly observant. It's part of what makes him exceptional."
William grunted, clearly unimpressed. "Observation without tact is just rudeness, my dear."
The conversation moved on, but I'd clearly lost whatever ground I might have gained. When William excused himself minutes later, I seized the opportunity to attempt damage control.
"Mr. Vance," I said, stepping away from the table to intercept him. "I sincerely apologize for my presumption. It was inappropriate."
He regarded coldly. "Mr. Knight, a word of advice: In this world, it's not just what you know, but when to reveal it. Appear too eager, and people will dismiss you as a fraud or a social climber. Good evening."
He turned and walked away, leaving standing alone. I felt like I'd been slapped.
"Don't take it personally," Isabelle said softly, appearing at my side. "William Vance has trusted his personal physician for forty years. He doesn't like being told he might be wrong about anything, especially his health."
"I made a fool of myself," I muttered.
"No," she countered, guiding to a quiet corner. "You were being yourself – observant, caring, direct. Those are qualities I admire. But you need to learn when to deploy them."
She took my hands in hers, her touch sending electricity through my skin. "This world has rules, Liam. Arbitrary, often ridiculous rules, but rules nonetheless. You'll learn them."
"And if I don't want to play by their rules?" I asked.
A small smile curved her lips. "Then you'll need to beco powerful enough that they have to play by yours."
Sothing in her words resonated deep within . "I will," I promised. "I'll beco that powerful. For you."
Her eyes widened slightly, and for a mont, I thought I'd said too much. Then she squeezed my hands. "Don't do it for , Liam. Do it for yourself."
Our mont was interrupted by an awkward cough. Gideon Blackwood stood nearby, with Seraphina hovering behind him like a vengeful shadow.
"Miss Ashworth," Gideon began nervously. "I wanted to apologize for any misunderstanding earlier. Our company fully supports your decision regarding Mr. Knight's funding."
Isabelle regarded him coolly. "How gracious of you, Mr. Blackwood, considering you have no say in the matter."
Seraphina stepped forward, her smile painfully fake. "Isabelle, darling, we're absolutely thrilled for Liam's success. Though I must say," she continued, her voice raising deliberately so nearby guests could hear, "I feel I should warn you about him. The poor man can barely manage a household, let alone a research facility. His greatest talent was doing the laundry without shrinking my cashre sweaters."
She laughed lightly, as if sharing a harmless joke, but her eyes were cold. "I'd hate to see you waste your family's money on a hopeless loser who's simply latched onto you after I threw him out."
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