The gala ended shortly after midnight.
Davis was preparing to leave when Isabella caught up with him near the hotel's private entrance.
"Are you going home already?"
He turned.
"I have a mysterious box to investigate."
She rolled her eyes.
"Of course you do."
"Would you prefer that I abandon it here?"
"That would be a start."
He laughed.
Isabella stood beside him beneath the entrance canopy.
The night air was cool, and the sound of distant traffic drifted through the streets.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Isabella asked, "Can I tell you something?"
"Of course."
"I don't usually enjoy spending time with people I barely know."
Davis raised an eyebrow.
"Should I be offended?"
"No. I'm making a point."
"Go on."
She took a breath.
"When you first came to Sterling Tower, I thought you were another arrogant young man trying to prove something. Then you purchased the building, and I assumed you were simply lucky."
"And now?"
"Now I think you're hiding something."
Davis smiled faintly.
"Everyone hides something."
"True. But most people don't acquire a commercial tower, purchase mysterious historical artifacts, and investigate powerful business families in the same week."
He laughed.
"When you put it that way, it does sound unusual."
"That's because it is unusual."
"Whatever you're dealing with, I hope you know that you don't have to do everything alone."
Her words surprised him.
For months, Davis had been alone.
He had learned to handle problems without expecting anyone to help. Even when he was with Sidney, he had often felt that he was the only person trying to preserve their relationship.
Isabella was different.
She wasn't offering him money or asking him to prove his worth.
She was simply offering support.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
She smiled.
"You're welcome."
A black car pulled up beside them.
Davis opened the passenger door for Isabella.
"May I offer you a lift?"
She hesitated.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
"Then I suppose I can accept."
She settled into the passenger seat.
As the car moved through the city, their conversation turned toward less serious matters.
Isabella told him about her childhood, her demanding father, and the pressure of being expected to inherit a major corporation.
Davis spoke about Oxford, his ambitions, and the difficult years following his parents' deaths.
He didn't tell her about the system.
Not yet.
Some secrets required time.
Eventually, the car stopped outside Isabella's residence.
She reached for the door handle, then paused.
"Davis?"
"Yes?"
"You don't need to thank me."
"I know. I wanted to."
She smiled at him before stepping out.
Davis watched her walk toward the entrance.
Just before disappearing inside, she turned and waved.
He waved back.
Then his phone vibrated.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
I saw you with Isabella Sterling tonight. Stay away from her.
Davis frowned.
Another message followed.
Some families are more dangerous than they appear.
He stared at the screen.
"Who sent this?"
The number was unregistered.
He attempted to call it, but the call failed.
The system activated.
[SECURITY ALERT.]
[UNKNOWN CONTACT DETECTED.]
[POSSIBLE CONNECTION: MERIDIAN CONSORTIUM.]
Davis's expression hardened.
Someone was watching him.
Someone knew about Isabella.
And someone was desperate to keep him away from the Sterling family.
He looked toward her building.
For the first time, he realized that his growing feelings for Isabella might place her in danger.
He would have to be careful.
But he wasn't going to walk away simply because someone had threatened him.
Not again.