Chapter 223

The girl had delicate features, with doe-like eyes that sparkled with innocence. She carried herself like a university freshman, clearly out of her element in this sophisticated setting.

Three pairs of male eyes tracked her movement as she nervously approached the bar and took a seat.

Nathaniel gave Ethan's shoulder a playful shove. "Damn, Blackwood. You've got all the luck tonight. Meanwhile, I keep attracting cougars and silver foxes. What's stopping you? Go ask her to dance already."

Dominic nodded in agreement. "She does have a certain charm. Reminds me of Isabella, actually - just without the razor-sharp tongue. I'd bet my last dollar she'll say yes."

Ethan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the girl in the ivory dress.

She sat alone at the bar, fingers tapping nervously against her glass. Every furtive glance around the room screamed first-timer.

That wide-eyed vulnerability struck a chord - it was Vivian all over again during their early days.

Ethan pushed back his chair and made his approach.

The girl noticed him immediately, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. With each step he took, her breathing grew more erratic. Pink flooded her cheeks as she hastily looked down at her drink.

"Waiting for someone?" Ethan asked coolly, stopping before her.

"Me?" Her voice came out in a squeak. She glanced around as if expecting a hidden camera crew. "I mean... yes? No? I just..."

Ethan's lips quirked at her flustered response - so reminiscent of Vivian's early awkwardness around him. "Disappointed it's me asking?"

"No! I mean... I hoped... God, this is embarrassing." She shook her head violently. "I'm just surprised someone like you would notice me."

"Then dance with me." Ethan extended his hand.

"Y-yes!" The girl practically tripped over herself standing up, placing her trembling hand in his.

From their booth, Dominic and Nathaniel watched the scene unfold with matching grins.

"I'll be damned," Dominic muttered. "First time I've seen Blackwood make the first move. Guess marriage changed him after all."

"With that face? Please," Nathaniel scoffed. "I could pull that off too if I won the genetic lottery."

"Funniest part? The man actually asked me for dating advice last week." Nathaniel barked out a laugh. "Gave him all these elaborate strategies, and what does he do? Walks up and asks her to dance. Makes me look like an idiot!"

Dominic's gaze lingered on the dance floor. "Don't beat yourself up. Pretty sure someone's rejection lit a fire under him."

"No kidding," Nathaniel smirked. "Remember when Isabella used to jump at his every command? Now she's the one calling the shots. Karma's a bitch."

Their conversation halted abruptly as Vivian, Liam, and Sophia entered the lounge, laughing over some shared joke.

"Told you this place was perfect," Liam announced, leading the way. "Upscale crowd, live jazz, none of that obnoxious club nonsense."

As a regular at The Starlight Lounge, Liam knew the establishment maintained strict entry policies - ensuring an exclusive clientele of socialites and power players. The ideal spot for discreet enjoyment.