The night had been a whirlwind of handshakes, small talk, and flashing cameras. Back in the penthouse, Isabela felt completely exhausted but exhilarated. As Vivienne had predicted, the high-society crowd was endlessly curious and hungry for gossip. Isabela had learned quickly that if you kept them intrigued, they would follow your lead. She sold them a vision of a new, revitalized Ethan Lawson, and in turn, they seemed to buy into her. She left with a stack of business cards and invitations to various social circles, a testament to her success.
After a quick and much-needed meal, she went to her room and fell into a deep sleep, not waking until noon on Sunday. She spent her morning at her place of worship, feeling grounded and refreshed. When she returned to the penthouse, she saw an exotic car parked outside, a sleek, custom-built machine that looked like a work of art. She knew immediately that a high-profile visitor was inside.
She found them in Ethan's office, the door ajar. Ethan introduced him as a friend, but there was an intensity to their conversation that made it seem like something more. The kitchen was a flurry of activity as the chef prepared an elaborate meal for the guest. Isabela quietly excused herself and went back to her room, leaving them to their private discussion.
Inside the office, the conversation had shifted from business to the case that haunted Ethan. "We have a new lead," the man said, his voice low and serious. Ethan's eyes widened, a flicker of the old fire returning. The man pulled a file from his briefcase and laid it on the desk. "This new evidence could change everything."
When the office finally fell quiet, Ethan lingered over the file long after his guest departed. He ran a hand across his jaw, mind racing. The gala had shown him the possibility of new beginnings, but this file was a reminder of the shadows that still clung to his name. For the first time, he realized he wanted to fight, not only for his reputation but for the life that was slowly unfolding before him. And somehow, Isabela was already at the center of it.