Chapter 228

Vivian rose instantly to her feet. Her fingers brushed Nathaniel's cheek before ruffling Julian Carter's hair with playful possessiveness. The gesture resembled a queen selecting her court favorites. "One's dashing with infectious energy, while the other's mysterious and intense. Why choose when I can have both?"

"Julian gets first dance privileges - he traveled farthest after all." She winked at Nathaniel. "Be patient, darling. Your queen will return."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. Women typically threw themselves at him, and his smoldering gaze confirmed he knew his worth. Yet he inclined his head obediently. "As you wish, boss. Entertain the imitation first. Save the main event for me."

Vivian rewarded his compliance with another caress before accepting Julian's outstretched hand. He guided her to the dance floor with practiced ease, their chemistry palpable.

A collective sigh rippled through the female patrons, elbows propped on tables as they watched enviously.

"That woman's living every girl's fantasy! Two breathtaking men competing for her attention..."

"She must be loaded or blessed by the universe. No ordinary woman pulls that off!"

Across the venue, Dominic Harrington and Oliver Prescott observed the scene with raised eyebrows.

"Told you she wasn't some naive ingenue," Oliver muttered, swirling his bourbon. "Julian Montgomery doesn't do puppy love, and Nathaniel Blackwood certainly doesn't wait his turn. Yet she's got them both wrapped around her finger. Ethan never stood a chance."

Dominic's lips quirked as he sipped his scotch. "Ethan's going to lose his mind when he sees this."

As Vivian and Julian moved toward the dance floor's center, spotlights serendipitously illuminated them, casting Ethan and Cassandra Whitmore into the same glowing circle.

Ethan's glacial stare could've frozen lava. "Impressive social climbing. I expected Liam's puppy devotion, but seducing my nephew? That's... ambitious."

His nephew? Vivian's pulse stuttered, but her expression remained flawlessly composed. She wouldn't give Ethan the satisfaction of seeing her rattled.

Her arms slid around Julian's shoulders as they began moving to the sultry rhythm. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Blackwood. Though I'm sure you consider me worthless, these gentlemen seem to find me... valuable enough to fight over."

Ethan's eyes darkened dangerously before shifting to Julian. "Since when do you associate with gold diggers?"

Julian's poker face remained unreadable. "No agenda here. Just enjoying a dance with a beautiful woman."

Meanwhile, Cassandra in Ethan's arms resembled a startled rabbit caught in headlights. Her wide eyes darted between them nervously. "M-Mr. Blackwood, I think there's some misunderstanding... Should I... leave?"

Ethan's grip tightened. "I chose you specifically. You're the first partner who can actually follow my lead." His voice dropped dangerously. "Unless you're bored already?"

"Never!" Cassandra flushed. "It's an honor! I trained at Juilliard but never had a partner who moved like you."

Their dancing grew increasingly intimate, bodies molding together with provocative precision.

Vivian's nails dug into Julian's shoulders. Get a room, she thought bitterly.

Then a pained cry shattered the moment.