جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 99

Lukas’s arrival briefly eased the tension in the ballroom. Isla seemed genuinely pleased to see him, displaying a warmth Cassian had not seen from her all evening.Dominic stepped forward. “Lukas, I’m glad you could make it.”“Sorry I’m late. The flight delay was unavoidable.” Lukas glanced at Isla. “At least I didn’t miss everything.”“Just most of the evening,” Isla teased.“Then I’ll have to make up for it another time.”His reply drew a small smile from her.Dominic glanced at the remaining guests. “We’ve had enough excitement for one night. Isla, we should leave.”She nodded. “Of course.”Lukas turned to her. “Would you like me to accompany you?”“Thank you, but I’m leaving with Dominic. I’ll be staying with him for now.”“I remember you mentioning that. I’m heading to my hotel, so I’ll walk out with you.”“That would be nice.”They joined Dominic and headed for the entrance, talking easily. Cassian watched as Isla relaxed in Lukas’s company. The guarded expression she had worn a

The conference room door closed behind Hazel, Ruth, and their lawyer. Dominic waited until their footsteps faded, then turned to Fabian.“Now that Isla’s identity has been settled, we need to discuss what you knew about her origins, and why you kept that information from her.”Fabian sat back, his expression hard. “I’ve already explained what happened.”“You’ve given us an account,” Dominic said. “Not answers.”Tristan sat at the end of the table, silent and watchful.Dominic opened a folder. “When you brought Isla home, you said she was an injured child found near your property. Who told you she had no family?”“Some of my estate workers,” Fabian replied. “They told my bodyguard she was alone and no one had identified her.”“Did you report her to the authorities or contact anyone searching for a missing child?”&ld

The Delacroix estate stood behind iron gates at the end of a long drive lined with old trees. Isla watched it approach through the car window, unsure what she had expected to feel.She had been two when she disappeared. Whatever memories she might once have had of the house were too faint to reach her now. It was beautiful, but it felt like a place she had never known.“You can take your time,” Dominic said. “There’s no need to settle everything today.”“I know.” Isla looked toward the house. “But I’m ready to see it.”The car stopped beneath the entrance portico. A silver-haired man in a dark suit waited at the steps, his posture straight despite his age.“Welcome home, Miss Delacroix,” he said. “I’m Finn, the estate’s butler. I’ve served the family for many years.” He offered her a warm, measured smile. “It’s a pleasure to welcome you back.”“I’m glad to meet you, Finn.”He led them inside. Light filled the spacious entrance hall, glinting off the polished floors. Several staff memb

Isla spent the morning in her parents’ room, trying to understand the life they had left behind.She searched the wardrobe, browsed the books, and examined the few items on the dressing table. Nothing stirred a memory. She had been too young when Magnus and Lavinia died to remember them.Still, she wanted to know them.She entered the adjoining study. Magnus’s desk stood by the window, bare except for a lamp and a framed photograph. Isla ran her fingers along its edge, then opened the top drawer.Inside were pens, envelopes, and an old appointment book. Most entries were routine, but several pages near the end were marked with narrow strips of paper.One date was underlined twice. Beside it, Magnus had written a brief note and a file number.Isla studied the entry, then closed the book. She didn’t know what it meant, but it suggested her father had been dealing with something beyond the company’s usual affairs.She carried the appointment book into the hall, where Finn was arranging a

Sasha kept the conversation light, discussing the foundation’s gala, the guest list, and their duties as an engaged couple. Cassian answered when needed, but his attention kept drifting across the room.Isla was smiling at something Lukas had said.Sasha followed his gaze. “She seems to have settled in quickly.”Cassian looked back at her. “What do you mean?”“As the Delacroix heiress, at the company, and with Lukas.” She took a sip of wine. “She seems to have moved on rather easily.”“She’s entitled to live her life.”“Of course.” Sasha set down her glass. “I only meant that you seem interested in how she’s doing.”“I’m not discussing her.”His calm reply only frustrated Sasha further. She took another drink. The conversation grew strained, and she ordered another glass of wine before Cassian had finished his