“Just my assistant,” Lucas replied.

“Assistant? An assistant calling this late? Lucas, do you think I’m an idiot?” Ethan’s voice dripped with sarcasm as he lunged for the phone.

Lucas stepped back, keeping it out of reach. “You’re drunk. Stop causing a scene.”

“I’m perfectly sober!” Ethan insisted, grabbing Lucas’s arm with unexpected force. “Hand it over!”

“Let go!” Lucas snapped, wrenching his arm free. “Ethan, that’s enough! Get ahold of yourself.”

He turned to the butler. “Please escort Mr. Blackwood home. He’s in no state to be here.”

The butler hesitated, then moved to assist Ethan. “Sir, perhaps it’s best if you retire for the evening.”

Ethan resisted, his eyes fixed on the phone, but was eventually led away.

Once alone, Lucas let out a heavy breath. He quickly opened his phone and changed Isabella’s contact name to “Andrew,” vowing to be more careful.

Ethan woke the next morning with a throbbing head, the previous night’s events crystal clear. He summoned his assistant, Benjamin. “I want a full report on Lucas Grant. Focus on his travel history for the past three years. I want every detail. And put a tail on him. Report anything suspicious immediately.”

Benjamin nodded and left to carry out his orders.

That same afternoon, Lucas met Isabella at her grandmother’s apartment as planned.

“Thank you for this, Lucas,” Isabella said warmly.

“It was nothing,” he replied with a smile. “Shall we? We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

They dined at an exclusive private club. Thanks to Lucas’s connections, the design professionals were exceptionally welcoming. They praised Isabella’s portfolio and offered invaluable advice. Afterward, she thanked him again.

“Lucas, I truly don’t know how to thank you. This opportunity wouldn’t have happened without you.”

“It was my pleasure,” he said gently. “Have you given any more thought to the studio? I can help you find a space to rent, if you’d like.”

Isabella considered it for a moment before declining. “I should handle it myself. But thank you.”

Meanwhile, Benjamin handed Ethan a stack of surveillance photos.

“Mr. Blackwood, these are from Mr. Grant’s activities this afternoon.”

Ethan flipped through them. He froze on one image. Lucas was walking beside a woman. Though she wore large sunglasses, Ethan recognized her instantly. It was Isabella.

A wave of suppressed longing crashed over him. He could no longer hold back. Snatching his car keys, he rushed out, driven by a single, desperate need to see her.

Outside Eleanor’s apartment, Ethan pounded on the door. It swung open to reveal a startled Isabella. “E-Ethan?”

Inside, Eleanor’s voice called out. “Isabella, who is it?”

She didn’t want him to know about Liam. She forced composure. “It’s… just a friend. I’ll be right back.” Taking a deep breath, she stepped outside and closed the door softly behind her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice tight.

As she descended the steps, Ethan grabbed her wrist, his grip firm.

“Ethan, what are you doing? Let me go!” she exclaimed, trying to pull free.

He said nothing, dragging her down the quiet campus path, past the gates. Ignoring her protests, he suddenly pressed her against the cold metal of his car and kissed her.