“You look like someone who pays his mortgage on time and worries about grocery prices,” Victoria said bluntly, leaning forward with ruthless logic. “To my circle, that is the most exotic thing in the world.”

I looked to my left.

Richard Halston was standing by the edge of an illuminated stone fountain, laughing with a group of investors. He was tall, perfectly tanned, wearing a crisp white tuxedo jacket that practically screamed old-money arrogance. Next to him stood a blonde woman in an emerald gown, looking like she had just stepped off a magazine cover.

Then Richard turned.

His smile vanished instantly as his eyes locked onto Victoria.

And then they dropped to our joined hands.

The change in his expression was magnificent to watch. The easy, untouchable confidence dissolved, replaced by a dark, simmering flash of possessiveness. He started walking directly toward us, cutting straight through the crowd like a ship parting water.

“Victoria,” Richard said smoothly, stopping two feet away. His eyes flicked to me, taking in the tailored suit and the relaxed way I stood beside her. “I didn’t realize you were bringing a date. Or did you just pull someone from the accounting department to fill a quota?”

The insult was calculated, sharp, and designed to put us both in our place.

I opened my mouth to reply, ready to deliver a dry risk-analysis of his impending divorce, but Victoria beat me to it.

Her hand tightened around mine, grounding us both. She stepped slightly closer to my shoulder, her chin lifting with absolute, chilling grace.

“Richard,” Victoria said, her voice dropping into a tone so cold it could freeze champagne. “Allow me to introduce Daniel Rossi. My partner. Unlike some people here, he actually knows the value of hard work—and loyalty.”

Richard’s face hardened into a mask of pure fury.