Chapter 556

Isabella Austin raised her glass and clinked it against her friend’s. “Don’t be so formal,” she said with an easy smile.
Andrew Lane, sitting beside her, wasn’t in the mood for conversation tonight. While he barely spoke, he certainly wasn’t holding back on the drinks.
The private lounge was lively, their friends doing their best to keep the mood upbeat and the conversation flowing. Still, Isabella, seated right next to Andrew, could feel his shift in mood as clearly as if a storm cloud had settled over him.
She had a pretty good idea when his mood had started to sour—right after he ran into Emily Blair earlier that evening.
A heaviness settled in Isabella’s chest. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was brewing between Andrew and Emily, something old and unfinished that might flare to life again.
Of course, Isabella was confident of her place in Andrew’s heart. But men—well, men were notorious for always leaving a little room for more than one woman, weren’t they? And a man like Andrew-handsome, wealthy, charming-what woman wouldn’t at least entertain the idea?
The memory of Andrew and Emily alone together in that room, Emily playing piano for him, still rankled. Isabella had assumed that whatever feelings Emily once had for Andrew would have faded after five years away. She never expected that, even after all that time, Emily would still be caught up in this mess.
Worse, Andrew’s attitude toward Emily was anything but clear.
If Emily Blair could have read Isabella’s thoughts right now, she’d have cried out in protest. She knew better than to air her dirty laundry in public, and yet she couldn’t help but want to talk about it. The trouble was, all her close friends were either studying or working overseas. The only one still around was Alex White, but this wasn’t something she could discuss with him. If she did, knowing Alex’s temper, he’d just storm off and start a fight with Andrew.
That was the last thing she wanted.
In the end, she could only blame Emily Blair. Why had she come back? Emily was getting along just fine in the capital-what was the point of coming here and stirring things up?
Isabella swallowed her anger, took another sip of wine, and leaned toward Andrew. “I’m going to the ladies’ room,” she said quietly.
“Don’t be long,” Andrew replied with a nod.
She smiled. “I won’t.”
But instead of heading for the restrooms, Isabella walked downstairs, scanning the place for any sign of Emily Blair.
She paused at the bottom of the staircase, her eyes darting around until she spotted Emily curled up and dozing off in a quiet corner.
Isabella’s expression shifted as she drew closer, eyes fixed on Emily’s peaceful face. Emily’s cheeks were flushed, lips slightly parted, her head resting against the wall as she slept, looking so innocent and serene.
Glancing around, Isabella noticed several men nearby, their gazes lingering on Emily with ill-disguised interest.
Slowly, Isabella reached out her hand, her fingers moving toward Emily’s face.
Suddenly, Emily’s eyes fluttered open, still hazy with sleep. “Who are you?” she mumbled.
Isabella jerked her hand back. “You don’t remember me?”
Emily squinted at her for a long moment, then rubbed her forehead. “That’s strange. You look really familiar, but I just can’t place you.”
Isabella’s lips curved into a cold smile as she leaned in closer. “Tell me, are you always this much of a slut?”
Emily blinked, confused. “What?”
Isabella’s eyes flashed with malice, her words sharp and dripping with contempt. “Emily Blair, is one man not enough for you? You’ve already got someone, and yet you still have to throw yourself at mine? Is it attention you’re desperate for, or just any warm body? Want me to line up a few more guys for you?”