Chapter 2 - Beneath the Glitter

Arabella had always believed the truth eventually revealed itself.

Sometimes through a confession.

Sometimes through a careless remark.

And sometimes through the expression of a man who thought he had hidden his secrets well.

Her father was wearing that expression now.

Richard Montgomery stood near a ballroom window, his phone pressed to his ear. His shoulders were rigid, and his free hand gripped the edge of a table.

He looked nothing like the man who had welcomed guests earlier that evening.

Arabella’s smile faded.

She crossed the ballroom and found him just as he ended the call.

“Dad?”

Richard startled before slipping his phone into his jacket.

“Arabella. Is everything all right?”

“That’s what I was going to ask you.”

“I’m fine.”

She folded her arms. “Whenever someone says that before I’ve even asked the question, it usually means the opposite.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“You’ve always been too observant for your own good.”

“And you’ve always been terrible at lying to me.”

For a moment, he said nothing.

“Is something wrong with the company?” she asked.

“Not here, Arabella.”

“Then where? You’ve barely been yourself for weeks. You’re constantly on the phone, and every time I ask what’s happening, you tell me not to worry.”

“Because I don’t want you worrying.”

“That isn’t an answer.”

He exhaled slowly and reached for her hand.

“Whatever happens, I need you to remember something. You are more than this family name. More than our money, our company, or anything people might say about us.”

Arabella stared at him.

“Dad, you’re frightening me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Then tell me what’s going on.”

His phone vibrated again. He glanced at the screen, and his expression changed.

He rejected the call.

“Please,” he said quietly. “Just trust me for now.”

“How can I trust you when you won’t tell me anything?”

“Because I’m your father.”

It wasn’t the answer she wanted.

Before she could press him further, Richard straightened his jacket.

“Go back inside. Tonight is important, and I don’t want you spending it worrying about me.”

She watched him return to the ballroom, a knot forming in her stomach.

For the first time, she wondered whether her father was keeping something from her that might change everything.

Sebastian found her beside the drinks table.

“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.”

She turned toward him. “I was speaking to my father.”

“Is everything okay?”

“I’m not sure. He received a worrying phone call, but he wouldn’t tell me what it was about.”

Sebastian’s hand stilled on her arm.

“What kind of call?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t see the number.”

“Did he say who it was?”

Arabella studied him.

“No. Why?”

He gave a short laugh. “No reason. I just wondered.”

Something about his response felt strange, though she couldn’t explain why.

Before she could question him, another voice interrupted.

“Your father has a talent for making problems disappear until they become impossible to ignore.”

Arabella turned.

Adrian Knight stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable.

“Do you practise appearing whenever you’re least wanted?” she asked.

“Natural talent.”

“How unfortunate for everyone around you.”

Sebastian offered him a polite smile.

“Knight.”

“Cole.”

Their exchange was brief, but Arabella noticed something pass between them. Not friendliness, exactly. Something she couldn’t identify.

Adrian turned back to her.

“Has your father told you about the company’s outstanding obligations?”

Her smile disappeared.

“What obligations?”

“The ones your family has been trying to manage quietly.”

Her stomach tightened.

“How would you know anything about my family’s finances?”

“Perhaps you should ask your father.”

“Why don’t you tell me yourself?”

“Because I have no obligation to protect you from the truth.”

Anger rose through her.

“You know nothing about my family.”

“Is that what you believe?”

“That is what I know.”

Adrian held her gaze for a moment before looking toward Sebastian.

“Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Then he walked away.

Arabella turned to her fiancé.

“Did you know about this?”

“About what?”

“The company’s financial problems.”

“No, of course not.”

His answer came too quickly.

She searched his face, but Sebastian only squeezed her hand.

“Arabella, you can’t believe everything Adrian Knight says. He’s trying to get under your skin.”

Perhaps he was.

But Adrian hadn’t looked like a man inventing a rumour for amusement. He had looked like someone who knew precisely how bad things were.

And Sebastian’s reaction had been almost as unsettling as the accusation itself.

Across the room, Richard Montgomery glanced at his phone again.

Arabella followed his gaze.

For the first time that evening, she wondered whether Adrian Knight had been expecting that call.

And if he had, what did he know that her own family wasn’t telling her?