Victoria’s POV

The air inside the private dining room was thick with tension.

Victoria Langley had been in control of powerful rooms her entire life. She understood the game better than anyone—how to bend people to her will, how to manipulate without them even realizing it.

And yet, Isla Carter didn’t look the least bit intimidated.

Interesting.

Victoria swirled her wine glass slowly, observing the woman who had somehow managed to disrupt everything. She had expected someone more fragile. Someone eager to prove herself, someone easily pushed aside.

Instead, Isla sat across from her, posture poised, gaze unwavering.

And Grayson?

He hadn’t said a word since they walked in.

Victoria turned her gaze to him now, tilting her head slightly. “And you thought bringing her here was a good idea?”

Grayson leaned back in his chair, looking completely unfazed. “I think it’s time for honesty.”

That made Victoria laugh—a soft, condescending sound.

“Honesty?” She finally turned her attention to Isla. “Is that what you want?”

Isla met her stare without hesitation. “I want the truth.”

Victoria tapped a perfectly manicured nail against her glass. “The truth is boring.”

Isla leaned forward, unshaken. “Then tell me a lie that sounds better.”

A flicker of amusement passed through Victoria’s eyes before she finally spoke. “You should stop looking into things that don’t concern you.”

And there it was.

The veiled threat.

Grayson tensed slightly beside Isla, but the woman didn’t flinch. Instead, she smiled.

“You’re worried,” Isla said, her voice cool and sure.

Victoria’s expression didn’t change, but something in her posture did. A subtle shift. A slight tightening of her grip on the wine glass.

She recovered quickly, offering an easy smile. “I don’t worry. I just eliminate distractions before they become problems.”

It was a warning. A promise.

And yet, Isla wasn’t backing down.

---

Grayson’s POV

This was a disaster waiting to happen.

Grayson knew Isla was strong. He had seen it firsthand. But Victoria played a different kind of game—one with invisible knives and carefully placed traps.

And Isla? She was walking into it without hesitation.

Grayson watched the exchange, the unspoken battle of wills happening right in front of him. Damn it, he respected Isla more for it.

But that also meant Victoria wouldn’t stop now.

She turned to him, as if Isla was no longer worth her time. “I assume you brought her here because you want something?”

Grayson kept his expression unreadable. “I want to know why you’re making moves against Sinclair Enterprises.”

Victoria sighed dramatically, swirling her wine. “Not against Sinclair Enterprises, darling. Just… positioning myself better.”

A carefully worded lie.

“By moving money through shell companies?” Isla cut in.

Grayson saw it—the way Victoria’s fingers tightened slightly around the stem of her glass. Just a fraction too tight.

Isla had hit a nerve.

Victoria’s lips curled slightly as she flicked her gaze back to Isla. “Someone’s been busy.”

Grayson knew this game. Victoria never lost control—but right now, Isla was throwing her off balance.

“Whatever you’re doing, it stops now,” he said, voice low and firm.

Victoria tilted her head, amusement returning to her features. “You’ve never had a problem with my strategies before.”

Before.

Grayson didn’t miss the way Isla’s gaze flicked toward him.

Of course Victoria would do this now—planting seeds, making Isla question him.

“I never had a reason to interfere before,” he said smoothly.

Victoria hummed, setting her wine glass down. Then, she leaned in slightly, speaking only to Isla.

“You should be careful, Miss Carter.”

Grayson saw Isla stiffen, but she didn’t let it show.

Instead, she smiled. “You should be, too.”

Victoria’s smirk widened.

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.

---

Isla’s POV

The car ride back to the office was silent.

Tension hung in the air, thick and unspoken.

Finally, Isla turned to him. “What did she mean by that?”

Grayson exhaled. He should have known this was coming. Victoria never missed an opportunity to stir the pot.

“She wanted you to question me.”

Isla’s gaze didn’t waver. “Should I?”

His jaw tightened. “No.”

She studied him for a long moment before looking away. But she didn’t look convinced.

And that bothered him more than it should.

“I can handle Victoria,” Isla finally said.

Grayson let out a rough laugh. “You don’t know what she’s capable of.”

Isla turned back to him, eyes burning with determination. “Then tell me.”

He held her stare. Longer than he should.

And for the first time in a long time, Grayson Sinclair didn’t have an answer.