lue gown felt like liquid

ier that afternoon by a team of elite stylists. A

e bolder than anything she had ever worn, mak

g the delicate diamond necklace resting against her collarbone. The gems sparkle

you r

choed from the doorway, cutting

there in a flawless black tuxedo, his expr

dark eyes swept over her body, darkening ins

the hardwood floor. He didn't stop until he was standing

ackwood should," he murmured, his bre

in cold as she stepped away from his intoxicating warmth. "I am only

t, arrogant tilt of his li

believes you belong to m

unyielding command. "Remember the rules, Isabella. In public, we are a

ike a trapped bird. Slowly, she wrapped her gloved hand ar

lpable as they walked out together, pre

sive double doors of the Gran

tantly surrounded them, the paparazzi

! Is this a strategic mer

Adrian? Is she the new heir

heavy hand on Isabella's waist, pulling her flush agains

lectricity straight down her spine,

carrying across the entire ballroom, easily silencing the murmurs.

er weight of the influence Adrian w

e sea of faces, her mind racing. She wasn't just here to be his trophy; she

ally managed to crawl her

hrough the classical music, inst

ing a garish red dress. Resting a hand on Victoria's waist was Chad, his fac

ing with jealousy as she looked at Isabella's diamond necklace. "Too bad high society

knuckles turning white as the public humiliatio

stepped in front of her, completely bl

instantly dropped to

an said smoothly, though his eyes

ng a practiced, flirtatious charm. "Yes, Mr

dly whisper, "every single contract associated with your family's firm is un

ed of all color, her

e onto a trembling Chad, "you are no longer welcome a

materialized from the crowd, grabbing Victoria and Chad b

, brutal display of power. Adrian had ruined a prominent family

ly overwhelmed by the noise, the flashing lights, and the

or, seeking the quiet, dimly lit hallways near the back of the venue. Her h

m a dark alcove, grabbing her wrist and

o scream, but a large hand quickly c

s me," a frantic, sweating

es adjusting to the dark. Standing in front of

ng. "What are you doing here? Adrian said yo

afe here," Marcus whispered urgently, looking

wife. He is using you as bait. He engineered this entire marriage contract

d ran completel

yes wide with fear. "You need to run before those peopl

ep back, the sound of slow, heavy fo

e marble floor, stopping right at

ght, his hands loosely tucked into his tux

arcus?" Adrian murmured, his voice lace