The night was far from over.
Isabella Blackwood rarely felt shaken, but Adrian's revelation still lingered in her mind.
The fact that he knew Lily, that he had figured out her connection to her twin, complicated things in a way she hadn't anticipated.
And Dante's warning? That had only fueled her determination.
She didn't lose.
Not in business.
Not in control.
Not in anything.
So why, as she walked through the dimly lit halls of the Russo Industries headquarters, did she feel like the ground beneath her was shifting?
The answer came when she pushed open the glass doors of the executive conference room.
Dante was already there, seated at the head of the table, his expression unreadable.
Across from him sat Marcus De Luca, the company's CFO—an older man with sharp eyes and a reputation for being ruthless with numbers.
Beside him, Camila Hayes, Dante's legal advisor, had her arms crossed, her gaze flicking toward Isabella as she entered.
Isabella had seen Camila before at events, always by Dante's side.
The woman was brilliant, calculated, and, if the rumors were true, fiercely loyal to Dante in ways that went beyond business.
And then there was Ethan Caldwell, head of security—tall, broad-shouldered, and ex-military.
He barely spared her a glance as he stood by the window, observing the city below.
A full house.
Whatever this was, it wasn't a simple meeting.
Dante gestured to the chair beside him. "Have a seat, Isabella."
She didn't hesitate, but as she sat down, she could feel Camila's scrutiny.
"We have a problem," Dante said, voice calm but firm.
She folded her hands neatly in front of her.
"Do we?"
Camila leaned forward, sliding a folder across the table.
"We've been looking into the details of your recent acquisition—the one that puts you in direct competition with Russo Industries."
Isabella opened the file, her eyes skimming over the documents.
She had expected this.
Dante wasn't the type to sit back and let her make a move without retaliation.
But what she wasn't expecting… was the second file Camila placed on the table.
"This, however, is new," Camila continued.
"Your sister, Lily Blackwood, works in charity and social outreach, doesn't she?"
Isabella's grip on the paper tightened.
Dante's voice was softer this time.
"Your business moves are one thing, Isabella, but when those moves start affecting people close to you, things change."
She narrowed her eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
Ethan, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"One of the companies you absorbed in your expansion had direct ties to Lily's charity foundation.
Their funding was cut the moment you took over."
Her stomach twisted.
She hadn't known that.
She had made the acquisition because it was a strategic move—a stepping stone in a larger plan.
She hadn't thought to look at the ripple effects.
"I assume this wasn't intentional," Dante said, watching her closely.
Isabella schooled her expression.
"It doesn't matter if it was intentional or not. It's business."
Marcus De Luca scoffed.
"Spoken like a true Blackwood."
She ignored him, her focus still on Dante.
"So, what now? You expect me to fix it?"
"No," Dante said.
"I expect you to acknowledge that this isn't just a game anymore."
Silence stretched between them.
Then, to her surprise, Camila spoke again.
"I don't like you."
The bluntness caught Isabella off guard.
Camila's gaze was cold.
"I don't trust you either. You walk into Russo Industries like you belong here, but all I see is someone who thrives in chaos."
Isabella smirked.
"And yet, here I am."
Camila's jaw tightened.
"For now."
The tension in the room was suffocating, but Dante cut through it with a single command.
"Enough."
Camila leaned back, but the message was clear—Isabella wasn't just fighting Dante.
She was fighting the entire empire he had built.
She exhaled, closing the file.
"I'll handle the funding issue."
Dante nodded, but there was something else in his gaze.
Something she couldn't quite decipher.
Before she could press him further, Ethan's phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen, then straightened.
"We have another problem," he said, looking at Dante.
Dante frowned.
"What is it?"
Ethan's expression darkened.
"Adrian."
*************************************************
Meanwhile…
Adrian Wolfe had never been one to take things seriously.
At least, that was the image he portrayed to the world.
But tonight, as he stood outside an exclusive club in the city, his usual smirk was gone.
Because standing in front of him, looking absolutely furious, was Lily Blackwood.
"I told you to stay out of it," she snapped, arms crossed.
Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"And I ignored you, obviously."
Lily let out a frustrated breath.
"You don't understand, Adrian. If Isabella finds out you've been meddling, she'll—"
"She'll what?" Adrian interrupted, eyes flashing.
"Push me out? Pretend I don't exist? Lily, your sister is already at war with Dante, and you're caught in the middle. Do you really think I'm just going to sit back and watch?"
Lily's anger wavered for a moment, replaced by something softer.
"I know you mean well," she admitted.
"But Isabella doesn't like people interfering in her life."
Adrian stepped closer.
"Yeah, well, neither do I."
Their gazes locked.
For a moment, it felt like the entire city faded into the background.
Then Lily sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Just… be careful, okay?"
Adrian smirked.
"Come on, Lily. When am I not careful?"
She didn't bother answering.
Because they both knew the truth.
Adrian Wolfe was anything but careful.
*************************************************
BackatRussoIndustries…
By the time Isabella left the meeting, she was exhausted.
But her night wasn't over.
As she stepped outside, her phone buzzed.
A message from Lily.
"We need to talk. Now."
Her stomach tightened.
She knew it was about Adrian.
Isabella hailed a car and directed the driver to Lily's apartment.
When she arrived, her twin was already waiting for her, pacing the living room.
"Care to explain what's going on?" Lily demanded.
Isabella sighed. "Lily, I don't have time for this—"
"Make time."
Isabella clenched her jaw.
"Fine. What do you want to know?"
Lily took a deep breath.
"Why are you getting so involved with Dante Russo?"
Isabella stiffened.
Lily's eyes searched hers.
"This isn't just business anymore, is it?"
Isabella forced a smirk.
"You're overthinking."
"No, Isabella. I'm thinking. Something you refuse to do when it comes to emotions."
Isabella crossed her arms.
"I know what I'm doing."
Lily shook her head.
"I don't think you do."
Isabella exhaled sharply.
"Lily, drop it."
Her sister looked at her for a long moment before sighing.
"Fine. But just answer me one thing."
"What?"
Lily's voice was softer this time.
"If this all goes wrong… who do you think will hurt you first? Dante?" She paused.
"Or yourself?"
Isabella didn't answer.
Because deep down…
She already knew.