Chapter 21: The Dance of Deception

Vivian Brooks stood seething, her expression twisted with fury. "Allie Brooks, you think you’re better than me? Who do you think you are to look down on me?"

Allie folded her arms, her gaze unwavering. "Vivian, I’m not here to argue. But if you keep pushing me, I won’t just stand by."

Vivian’s face reddened with rage. "You insolent brat! How dare you?" She raised her hand to slap Allie, but Allie caught her wrist mid-air, her reflexes quick and deliberate.

"Vivian," Allie said with an icy calmness, "you should know by now that you’ll never win this way. If you want to fight me, at least try something that works."

Vivian trembled with indignation, her voice shaking with hatred. "You... you snake!"

"Enough of this childish tantrum," Allie replied, releasing her sister’s hand with a shove. "You’ve already embarrassed yourself enough for one night."

A voice broke through the tension. "Ladies, I hope I’m not interrupting."

Both women turned to see Liam Hart leaning casually against the terrace doorway, his piercing gaze making it clear he had seen everything.

"Liam?" Allie’s voice faltered.

Vivian's demeanor shifted instantly. She withdrew her hand, her lips curling into a forced, sugary smile. "Oh, Liam! I

didn’t see you there. Allie and I were just having a little sisterly disagreement."

Liam raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Really? Because it looked more like a brawl than a disagreement." His tone was cool, his eyes never leaving Vivian.

Vivian’s voice turned syrupy. "Allie tends to get emotional, you know. I was just trying to calm her down."

Allie scoffed but said nothing, unwilling to play along with her sister’s theatrics.

Liam took a step closer, his presence commanding. "Vivian, I have to say, you look quite impressive tonight. Would it

be too much to ask for the honor of a dance?"

Vivian’s eyes widened in shock, then filled with triumph. She glanced at Allie, her expression practically screaming, I’ve won.

"Of course!" Vivian said eagerly, extending her hand toward him.

Liam smiled, but there was a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Perfect." He turned smoothly—but instead of taking Vivian’s hand, he clasped Allie’s, lifting it to his lips for a soft kiss.

"Shall we, Allie?" he said, his voice low and smooth.

Allie froze, stunned. For a moment, she thought she had misheard. But Liam’s hand, warm and steady in hers, told her otherwise.

"Liam, what—" she began, but he silenced her with a faint smile.

Vivian stood rooted in place, her face flushing with humiliation as realization dawned. "You... you were toying with me!"

she hissed under her breath.

Liam didn’t even glance back as he led Allie away, leaving Vivian standing on the terrace, fists clenched and trembling with anger.

Her nails dug into her palms, and her lips quivered with fury. That snake, Allie, set this up! She’s always pretending to be the victim, but she’s nothing but a manipulative, scheming wretch.

As the strains of the waltz began inside, Vivian’s thoughts darkened. You’ll pay for this, Allie. One way or another, I’ll tear you to pieces.

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Meanwhile, on the dance floor, Allie struggled to keep her composure.

"What the hell was that, Liam?" she whispered harshly, keeping her voice low as they twirled under the glittering chandelier.

Liam chuckled, his hand resting lightly on her waist. "Just returning the favor."

"What favor?" she asked, her confusion evident.

"For sparing me from the agony of dancing with her," he replied, his tone teasing but his eyes serious.

Allie sighed, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior. "You really are impossible."

"And yet," Liam said, spinning her effortlessly, "you’re still here, dancing with me."

She rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away. "I didn’t have much of a choice, did I?"

"Maybe not," he admitted, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "But I have to say, you’re handling it beautifully."

As the music swelled, Allie couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being pulled into something far more complicated than a simple dance.

And in the shadows of the ballroom, Vivian watched them with a simmering rage that promised retribution.