Chapter Six: The Interruption
393 Words
Maya left the gala later that night with her mind still spinning. The music, the glittering lights, Ethan's unreadable eyes... it was too much to process.
She stepped out into the cool night air and spotted a familiar figure waiting by the entrance.
"Liam," she said, smiling.
He turned, grinning when he saw her. "There you are. I was starting to wonder if you'd run off with some billionaire donor."
Maya laughed softly. "Hardly. I was just... networking."
Liam stepped closer, taking her coat from the attendant and helping her slip into it. "How'd it go? Did you find out who sent the donation?"
"No," she admitted, glancing back at the glowing ballroom behind her. "But I have a guess."
⸻
Inside the gala, Ethan stood near the bar, his glass of whiskey untouched as he watched Maya through the glass doors.
She was smiling.
At him.
No — not at him.
At someone else.
He stiffened as he saw the man help her with her coat, lean close to whisper something that made her laugh.
"Who is that?" Ethan asked quietly.
His security chief stepped closer. "Liam Hart. Corporate lawyer. Works at a mid-sized firm downtown. Been dating Maya for about a year."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Dating."
"Yes, sir."
He turned back to the sight outside, Liam placing his hand on the small of Maya's back as they walked to the curb. She didn't pull away.
Ethan's fingers tightened around the glass until it almost shattered.
⸻
Later that night, Ethan sat alone in his penthouse, city lights flickering in the distance. He hadn't spoken a word since the gala ended.
He poured himself another drink, staring at the file his security team had compiled on Liam. Pictures. Financial records. Work schedule.
Everything.
He flipped through them slowly, memorizing every detail.
Liam had no idea who he was up against.
Maya deserved better.
She deserved someone who could give her the world.
Ethan swirled the drink in his glass, a dangerous calm settling over him.
"Find out everything you can about their relationship," he ordered finally. "How serious they are. What he does. Who he talks to. If he has... weaknesses."
"Yes, sir."
When the door closed behind his security chief, Ethan allowed himself a small, cold smile.
If Liam was standing in his way...
He wouldn't be standing there for long.
- Writer
