Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 71 - Chapitre 80

Liam's POV I was buried in paperwork, double checking tomorrow’s party plans, when my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and groaned. Anna. “What the hell does she want from me?” I asked no one in particular. “Hello?” I answered, keeping my voice calm. “Liam…” Her voice was smooth, teasing, like she knew exactly how to get under my skin. “I was just thinking about you…” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Anna, I’m at the office. Can this wait?” “Oh, I don’t think it should wait,” she purred. “I just… I miss last night. You know, the way we left things…” I exhaled slowly, trying to stay composed. “Anna, I really don’t have time for this. I have a party to prepare for tomorrow.” Her laugh was soft and playful. “A party? And you’ll be thinking about me the whole time, won’t you?” I leaned back, trying not to let her words distract me. “Anna, I said I’m busy. I’ll call you later.” There was a small sigh on the other end, then she added, almost teasingly, “Fine… but I can’t

I was standing near the corner of the room, leaning slightly against the wall, trying to take in everything at once. The music was soft but alive, people were laughing and talking, and glasses clinked everywhere. I was focused on small talks with Ethan.Out of nowhere, I noticed someone approaching Zara. She moved like she owned the room, confident and full of energy. I felt very excited seeing her.“Nicole! Hey!” Zara waved at me, smiling broadly. Then her gaze fell on Ethan. Her eyes widened slightly, like she had just recognized him.“Oh… you!” she said, and for a brief second I thought she might yell but she laughed, a little mischievously, and stepped closer. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”Ethan’s expression stiffened. I could see the flicker of memory in his eyes, the way his jaw tightened ever so slightly. “Is she the friend you are waiting for?” He asked me.I was a bit confused but I answered him. “Yes, do you know her?”But before he could alter another word, Zar

After her conversation with Anna, Marianna stepped slightly aside to observe the party. She sipped her wine slowly, eyes scanning the room until they landed on Nicole.Nicole was laughing softly with a girl, seemingly relaxed, unaware of the attention she was drawing or of the careful scrutiny from Liam’s mother. Marianna’s lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smile. “So innocent, so unaware…” She thought.Her mind began turning, slowly and deliberately. Anna is charming, clever, and knows how to get his attention. Maybe it’s time to stir things a little… strategically.She set her wine glass down on a nearby table and leaned in slightly, speaking to herself in a low, calculated whisper. “A little guidance, a little push… that should be enough.”Marianna thought back to her conversation with Anna. She already likes attention, she knows Liam. She’s ambitious… I just need to make Nicole look out of place.She pictured scenarios in her head and smiled.Marianna’s fingers ta

Nicole leaned back in her chair slightly, her eyes narrowing as she glanced toward Liam’s table. “Adrian…” she said quietly, almost hesitant. “Who’s the girl with Liam?”I followed her gaze and spotted Liam, casually talking with a woman who moved with a confidence that suggested she belonged in this circle. Her laugh was light, practiced, flirtatious, and it made me frown slightly.“That’s Anna,” I replied carefully, keeping my tone neutral. “She’s… his ex. They’re doing business together.”Nicole’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she looked away for a moment, trying to process that. “Ex…” she murmured, almost to herself. Then she tilted her head back toward me. “But they’re… close. She’s touching him a lot, and he’s not stopping her.”I shrugged lightly, trying to keep my voice calm and measured. “Business doesn’t always look neat from the outside. Anna knows how to play the part, and Liam… he’s handling it professionally. Mostly. I wouldn’t read too much into it unless somethi

“We need to leave now.” Ethan informed us.“How are we going to do that? Adrian is badly injured.” Nicole voiced out in concern.“We don't have a choice.” Ethan said flatly.It suddenly dawned on her. “What about Zara? I’m sorry but I can't leave her behind.” She shook her head in panic.“She's safe, my men will bring her. The most important thing is that we need to leave now, so hold you small talk for later.” Ethan sounded a bit annoyed.I wanted to chip in a few words but I couldn't.“We will hold him from both sides gently, while my men will direct us safely out of here.” Ethan explained briefly to Nicole.I was barely aware of the world around me, every nerve screamed from the pain in my side, but I forced myself to move as they both held me. Both of them pulled me up, guiding me along as we navigated through the chaos. Nicole was right beside me, gripping my arm tightly, her face pale but determined.Zara had somehow ended up with us, her usual bravado replaced with wide eyes