The sleek black car glided through Veridia City's bustling streets. I sat beside Isabelle, trying to appear calm despite my racing heart. The lights of the city blurred past us in streaks of gold and silver.
"Nervous?" Isabelle asked, her eyes twinkling.
I gave her a wry smile. "Is it that obvious?"
"Your knuckles are white," she said, nodding toward my clenched fist. "Relax, Liam. It's just a party."
Just a party. Right. A gathering of Veridia City's most influential families – people who could crush someone like me without a second thought.
"Your definition of 'nothing too formal' seems different from mine," I said.
Isabelle laughed, the sound warming me from within. "These are merely acquaintances. Business contacts, family friends." She placed her hand over mine. "Besides, you have me."
Her touch sent electricity through my veins. Before I could respond, the car pulled up to a sprawling mansion with columns that reached toward the night sky.
