Chapter 493
Chapter 493:
The conversation he was leading stopped mid-sentence. With a polite but firm nod to the men around him, Sterling parted the crowd and walked directly toward the entrance. The sudden shift in his attention sent a ripple through the room. Heads turned. Murmurs followed. Sterling Knight — a man whose time was measured in millions — had never shown this kind of focused enthusiasm for anyone.
He stopped in front of Isolde, a warm, genuine smile lighting up his face, and offered his hand with a gesture that was grand and unhurried.
“The guest of honor has arrived p>
A faint blush touched Isolde’s cheeks. “Sterling, please don’t,” she said, keeping her voice low. “Everyone is watching p>
Sterling laughed — a rich, confident sound. “Let them watch,” he said, his voice carrying just enough for those nearby to hear. “They should know who the truly important people are p>
He offered his arm. She took it. He did not lead her to a table. Instead, he began personally introducing her to a small, distinguished group nearby.
“Isolde, I’d like you to meet John Hemlock and Maria Flores,” he said, gesturing toward two of the most legendary figures in the aerospace industry. “They were just telling me about their early days at NASA p>
Not far away, Belle watched with her perfectly painted lips thinning into a snarl.
𝗡𝖾𝘸 𝗰𝗵a𝘱𝘁𝗲𝗿ѕ ev𝗲ry 𝘄𝗲e𝗄 𝗈n
“On what grounds?” she hissed to Grayson. “She’s just the head of some tiny team p>
Dragging a reluctant Grayson behind her, Belle made her move. She approached the group with a bright, brittle smile.
“Mr. Knight,” she interjected, aiming for charming. “I’m Belle Escobar, from InnoTech — well, formerly. We haven’t been formally introduced, but p>
Sterling did not spare her a glance. Keeping his back squarely to her, he continued his conversation, gesturing for Isolde to respond to the NASA veteran’s question. The snub was so complete, so utterly dismissive, that it landed like a physical blow.
A wave of hot, profound humiliation washed over Grayson. He had never in his life been made to feel invisible. The sensation was deeply unpleasant.
In a quieter corner of the terrace, Arland Roth swirled the amber liquid in his glass, observing the scene alongside Harper.
“See that?” Arland said, a knowing glint in his eye. “That’s more than just professional admiration p>
Harper took a sip of her wine and nodded. “That’s the look of a man in a full-blown courtship display. Pure peacocking p>
Arland chuckled. “It’s good for her. She deserves better than a blind fool like Grayson p>
After a few more introductions, Sterling guided Isolde toward the far edge of the terrace, away from the dense crowd. The city lights stretched out before them in an endless, glittering sprawl.
“Are you nervous about the finals tomorrow?” he asked, his voice softer now.
Isolde gazed at the sprawling metropolis below. “No,” she said, her tone steady and sure. “I trust my design p>
Sterling studied her profile, silhouetted against the night sky, and his expression gentled. “I trust it too,” he said. “In fact, I’ve already prepared the champagne for your victory celebration p>
From across the terrace, Grayson watched their two figures standing close together at the railing. He gripped the stem of his wine glass so tightly the crystal groaned.