Chapter 496

Chapter 496:

Sterling did not let her go. Instead, he leaned in closer, his voice a low murmur against her ear.

“Careful. I’ve got you now. In every sense of the word p>

A hot blush crept up Isolde’s neck. “Sterling,” she whispered. “Let me go p>

With a faint, knowing smile, he smoothly righted her, steadying her on her feet. But his hand did not leave her entirely. It rested lightly on the curve of her waist — a quiet, possessive gesture of protection.

A few yards away, Grayson’s eyes locked onto that hand. The sight hit him like a physical blow, searing his vision. That had been his place. The curve of her waist was a space his hand had known by heart, a territory he had once occupied without thought. Now another man stood there, unhurried and certain, planting his flag.

Belle, still desperate to salvage some shred of dignity, sneered. “Cuddling in public. Utterly shameless p>

A well-dressed woman nearby, draped in diamonds, turned to her with a look of quiet disdain. “That’s called chivalry, Ms. Escobar. Perhaps you should consult a dictionary p>

Belle’s face flushed a blotchy, furious red. She seized Grayson’s arm. “Gray, let’s go p>

𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘯

Grayson did not move. He stood perfectly still, his gaze fixed on Sterling with a dark, unwavering intensity.

Sterling felt the hostile stare and lifted his head, meeting Grayson’s eyes across the terrace. A slow, unhurried smile curved his lips — the smile of a man who had not merely entered the game, but had already won it.

Then Sterling raised his voice, addressing the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Carson has had quite a shock. I’ll be escorting her back to her room to rest p>

Before anyone could process his words, he bent down. In one fluid motion that drew a collective gasp from the crowd, he scooped Isolde into his arms and held her securely against his chest.

“Sterling! What are you doing?” Isolde cried, her hands flying to his shoulders.

He looked down at her, his expression unassailable.

“There’s broken glass on the floor,” he said simply, his voice carrying easily across the room. “I wouldn’t want our future champion to injure her feet p>

He turned and strode through the crowd, carrying Isolde as though she were the most valuable thing in the room. The sea of guests parted for them automatically. Harper followed close behind, her face bright with a mixture of shock and pure, barely contained delight — as though she were fighting the urge to break into applause.

Grayson watched them disappear through the doors leading back inside. The red wine in his glass swirled violently. Then, with a sharp crack that cut through the renewed murmurs of the party, the crystal shattered in his grip.

Scarlet drops of wine and blood fell onto the pristine floor.

“Gray! Your hand!” Belle shrieked.

Grayson stared down at the blood welling in his palm. He felt nothing. The agony in his chest was a thousand times sharper — a wound no stitches could ever close.

Behind him, the whispers were already spreading like wildfire.