The slap echoed across the marble floor, silencing every conversation in the vicinity. Nora Donovan's head snapped sideways, her red hair flying as she staggered backward. The imprint of Isabelle's hand blood crimson on her cheek.
I stood frozen, hardly believing what I was witnessing. Isabelle Ashworth—the epito of poise and social grace—had just struck soone in public.
"I warned you," Isabelle said, her voice dangerously soft. "Insult Liam one more ti, and there would be consequences."
Nora's hand flew to her face, her eyes wide with shock before narrowing with renewed hatred. "You struck ! Do you have any idea who my father—"
"Your father is currently nursing several broken bones," Isabelle cut in, "courtesy of the very man you just called 'trash.' Perhaps you'd like a more personal demonstration of why that was unwise?"
The crowd around us had expanded into a perfect circle, everyone maintaining a careful distance while ensuring they didn't miss a mont of the spectacle.
"How dare you defend him?" Nora hissed, regaining so composure. "He's nothing but a pathetic leech who—"
The second slap was even harder than the first. This ti, Nora stumbled back into Lucas Rhodes, who caught her awkwardly.
"That's two," Isabelle said calmly, lowering her hand. "Would you like to try for three?"
I stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Isabelle's arm. "Isabelle, it's fine. She's not worth it."
Isabelle didn't look at , her gaze still fixed on Nora. "No, it's not fine. I won't have anyone speaking about you that way. Not in my presence."
Lucas finally seed to recover from his shock. "Miss Ashworth, I must protest this treatnt. Do you know who I am? My uncle is on the city council, and—"
"Ah yes, Councilman Rhodes," Isabelle interrupted, turning her cool gaze to him. "The sa uncle currently under investigation for accepting bribes from the Hansen Developnt Group? I'm sure he'd be thrilled to have his na brought into another public scandal."
Lucas paled visibly. I watched the calculation in his eyes as he reassessed the situation.
"Miss Ashworth," he began again, his tone significantly more subdued. "I apologize for the disruption. Nora is... upset about her father's recent injuries. She spoke without thinking."
"Is that right?" Isabelle raised an eyebrow. "Because it sounded quite deliberate to ."
Nora tried to shake off Lucas's restraining hand, but his grip tightened. "Lucas, let go! I'm not finished with—"
"Yes, you are," he said firmly, then turned back to Isabelle. "We'll be leaving now. Please accept my sincere apologies for the disturbance."
He began steering a still-protesting Nora toward the exit. Just before they reached the door, he glanced back at , sothing like grudging respect in his expression.
"Mr. Knight," he said with a slight nod, "it seems I underestimated your... connections."
As they disappeared through the doorway, the crowd began to disperse, conversations resuming with renewed energy. I turned to Isabelle, who was straightening the sleeve of her erald dress as if nothing unusual had occurred.
"That was... unexpected," I said quietly.
Her eyes t mine, still bright with indignation. "She deserved worse. I've never particularly liked Nora Donovan, but her behavior tonight was inexcusable."
I couldn't help but smile. "I think you made that abundantly clear."
"Did I embarrass you?" she asked suddenly, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her face.
"No," I said honestly. "I'm just not used to having soone defend like that."
"Well, get used to it." She looped her arm through mine. "Now, there's soone I want you to et."
As she guided through the crowd, I felt the weight of nurous stares. The whispers followed us: Who exactly was Liam Knight to command such fierce loyalty from Isabelle Ashworth?
I was wondering the sa thing myself.
"There he is," Isabelle murmured, nodding toward a distinguished older gentleman standing near the bar. "Leopold Shepherd, manager of Eldoria Bank." This copy cos from content on *.
"The largest financial institution in three counties," I recalled. "Why do you want to et him?"
"Because connections are currency, Liam," she said, her voice low. "And it's ti you started building your own portfolio."
Before I could ask what she ant, we'd reached Mr. Shepherd. He turned at our approach, his face lighting up with recognition.
"Miss Ashworth! A pleasure as always." He clasped Isabelle's hand warmly before turning his attention to . "And you must be Liam Knight. I've heard so interesting rumors about you, young man."
I shook his hand firmly. "Only believe half of what you hear, Mr. Shepherd."
"The half where you humbled Robert Donovan in combat, or the half where you've beco Miss Ashworth's most trusted advisor in a matter of weeks?" His eyes twinkled with intelligence and curiosity.
"Both are true," Isabelle interjected smoothly. "Liam has proven himself exceptional in multiple arenas."
"High praise indeed, coming from you." Mr. Shepherd studied with renewed interest. "What's your background, Mr. Knight?"
"dicine, primarily," I answered. "Though I've developed other interests recently."
"Liam is being modest," Isabelle said. "He's an extraordinary doctor. His diagnostic skills are unmatched in Havenwood."
Mr. Shepherd's expression shifted subtly. "A doctor, you say? Any particular specialty?"
"I focus on integrative approaches," I replied carefully. "Combining traditional techniques with more... innovative thods."
"Interesting." He swirled the amber liquid in his glass, seemingly lost in thought for a mont. "My wife, Eleanor, has been unwell for so ti. The specialists at Havenwood General have been less than helpful."
Isabelle gave a aningful glance. "Perhaps Liam could offer a consultation? His approach is quite different from conventional dicine."
I understood imdiately what she was doing, and played along. "I'd be happy to see Mrs. Shepherd, if she's willing."
"Would you?" Relief flashed across the banker's face. "Eleanor has been suffering for months. I've tried everything—brought in specialists from as far as Capital City, but nothing has helped."
"What are her symptoms?" I asked, professional interest genuinely piqued.
"Chronic fatigue, joint pain, recurring fevers that co and go without explanation. The doctors keep suggesting it's psychosomatic, but I know my wife." His frustration was evident.
I considered for a mont. "Those symptoms could indicate several possibilities that conventional testing might miss. When did they first appear?"
"About three months ago, after we returned from our anniversary trip to the Southern Isles."
"Interesting," I said, already ntally cataloging potential diagnoses. "I'd need to examine her and review her dical history, but there are several tropical conditions that might present that way."
Hope sparked in the man's eyes. "Could you co to our ho tomorrow? I'll pay whatever fee you ask."
"Let's not worry about paynt yet," I said, surprising myself with my confidence. "Let see if I can help Mrs. Shepherd first."
"You're a godsend, Mr. Knight." He pulled out a business card and handed it to . "Our address is on the back. Would two in the afternoon work?"
"Perfectly."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Mr. Shepherd excused himself to speak with another guest. As soon as he was out of earshot, I turned to Isabelle.
"That was your plan all along, wasn't it?"
She smiled enigmatically. "I may have heard through my network that Leopold Shepherd was desperate to find help for his wife."
"And you just happened to position as the solution."
"Is that a problem?" she asked, arching an eyebrow. "You are a talented doctor, Liam. And Leopold Shepherd is one of the most influential n in Havenwood's financial sector."
I shook my head, partly in admiration, partly in disbelief. "You're playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers, aren't you?"
"I prefer to think of it as creating mutually beneficial opportunities." She took two champagne flutes from a passing waiter and handed one to . "If you help Mrs. Shepherd, you gain a powerful ally. That's how this world works."
I took a sip of the champagne, considering her words. The old Liam would have been uncomfortable with such strategic relationship-building. But I was no longer that man.
"Thank you," I said finally. "For this, and for dealing with Nora earlier."
"You're welco." Her eyes softened slightly. "Though I must admit, slapping her was oddly satisfying. I've wanted to do that for years."
I laughed, the sound surprising with its ease. "I noticed you didn't hold back."
"I rarely do, when it matters." Her gaze held mine, sothing unspoken passing between us.
We were interrupted by the arrival of Emma, Isabelle's secretary, who whispered sothing urgently in her ear.
"I have to take care of sothing," Isabelle said apologetically. "Will you be alright on your own for a few minutes?"
"I think I can manage not to get slapped in your absence," I replied with a smile.
As she walked away, I moved to the edge of the rooftop terrace, looking out over the glittering expanse of Havenwood City. The cool night air felt good against my skin as I replayed the events of the evening.
Isabelle Ashworth had publicly defended my honor, then deliberately introduced to a man whose connections could prove invaluable. She was systematically dismantling the barriers that stood in my way, using her considerable influence to pave my path forward.
I sighed inwardly, the realization settling over . She wasn't just helping —she was investing in , creating opportunities and alliances I would need for whatever challenges lay ahead.
The question was: what did she expect in return?
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