gh the marble halls. Layla could feel the weight of the conversation around her, but her attention was elsewhere. She

ng this way-curious, unsure. Usually, she could read people, size them up and know exactly how to handle them. But Dom

background conversations blurred as he walked across the room with the same deliberate pace.

en he was close enough. His voice was low,

d, tilting her head slightly as she l

he held her gaze. "And what exactly have you observed?" he asked, h

t enough to make him feel the weight of her silence. Instead,

she said, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "Most people would crumble under the pressure of t

ps twitching with the beginnings

scinating. Most people would be overwhelmed. They'd be desperate to impress. But yo

inside her. It was as if he was deliberately pulling her

r anything?" he said, stepping just a fraction

ining an air of mystery that she couldn't quite penetrate. But something in his posture,

. "Everyone here is waiting for something. Whether it's approv

just a hint of playfulness now threading th

r leaving his. "My purpose is alwa

ng between them. He took a step back, crossing his arms over his chest, still w

lowering, "I guess we're

that challenge. Dominic didn't seem fazed by her confidence, nor did he back

ension with a slight tilt of her head. "But unlike

of amusement. "I'm curious to see ho

. Layla could feel the pull of Dominic's presence, his stillness, and it unsettled her in a way she wasn't

on of a second. When her gaze returned to Dominic, he was already moving away, stepping back in

cing. She wasn't used to this kind of uncertainty, t

t. This game had only just begun, and she wasn'

-

that E

ng out of the ballroom, but Layla stayed behind. She was used to being the last one to leave, used to ensu

ic had returned, his silhouette dark against the soft lighting of the room. She didn't need to turn around to know it

oice smooth, though the small smile sh

replied, his voice quiet, but th

st making sure everything is in place," she said, her tone del

"Maybe," he said, his voice dropping lower, "but sometimes, lea

layful edge returning to her voice.

ion on his face. "Maybe. But then again, I have a feel

uncertainty-a brief flash of vulnerability. But she quick

ck and raising her glass to him. "But I do

at sent a shiver down her spine. "I'm lo

way. The thrill of the chase had begun, and for the first tim