The banquet hall was glittering with gold and light, soft classical music drifting through the air. I stood with a glass of champagne in my hand and watched Liam coldly as he moved through the crowd with a radiant smile.
Mia was there too. She wore a bold red gown and worked the room of wealthy ladies as Victor's fiancée. Across the crowd, I caught Liam and Mia trading a quick glance, sly and self-satisfied.
At nine o'clock, the banquet hit its peak.
Liam couldn't wait any longer. He stepped onto the stage at the front of the hall and tapped the microphone for silence.
"Thank you, elders and shareholders, for making time out of your busy schedules to be here tonight." Liam wore a look of deep affection mixed with pained concern as his gaze fell on me below the stage. "I have an importa
