Chapter 64

The sleek black limousine purred down the winding driveway, carrying the Blackwood family toward their luncheon engagement. Inside, tension crackled beneath polite smiles and designer outfits.

Reginald sat at the far end, absorbed in his phone calls as usual. Beside him, Vivi adjusted her pearl necklace, hyperaware of Damien's presence across from her. Ava had pressed herself against his side, one manicured hand resting possessively on his thigh.

"The Romano Group has been making waves lately," Ava mentioned casually, breaking the silence. "Their stock is climbing impressively."

Sophia's eyes narrowed slightly at the comment. "Interesting you'd know such specific details about their performance."

"Oh, I like to stay informed about the market." Ava's laugh tinkled through the cabin. "Don't you think it's important to know your competition, Damien?"

"The Romano Group isn't competition," Reginald cut in sharply, lowering his phone. "They're barely worth discussing."

Ava's smile didn't waver, but something cold flickered in her eyes. "Of course, Mr. Blackwood. I didn't mean to bring up an uncomfortable subject."

The limo hit a bump, causing Vivi's knee to brush against Damien's. They both stiffened, avoiding eye contact as Ava's grip on Damien's thigh visibly tightened.

"The weather's lovely for the luncheon," Sophia interjected smoothly, diffusing the growing tension. "The garden venue should be perfect."

"Yes, perfect," Vivi echoed, grateful for the distraction. She could feel Ava's calculating gaze sliding between her and Damien, searching for any hint of their past connection.

The rest of the ride passed in stilted small talk and loaded silences, each occupant lost in their own web of secrets and schemes. When the limo finally rolled to a stop, everyone seemed to exhale in relief.

The garden venue sparkled under the midday sun, white-clothed tables dotting the manicured lawn. The Blackwoods made their entrance as a united front, drawing admiring glances from the other guests.

"Vivian, darling!" Mrs. Henderson swept forward, air-kissing Vivi's cheeks. "And this must be your new stepdaughter, Sophia? How lovely!"

Marcus Henderson, a steel-haired man in his sixties, clasped Reginald's hand. "Good to see you, old friend. These rumors about Romano's return had me worried."

"Nonsense," Reginald waved dismissively. "The man's finished in this industry."

The group settled at their designated table, with Ava positioning herself between Damien and the Hendersons' college-aged son, James. She laughed at his jokes, touching his arm frequently while keeping one eye on Damien's reactions.

"So tell me," Mrs. Henderson leaned toward Vivi, "how are you finding married life?"

Before Vivi could respond, Ava cut in. "Oh, they're just perfect together. Like a fairy tale, isn't it?" Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

Sophia smoothly steered the conversation toward the Henderson's recent Mediterranean cruise, while under the table, she squeezed Vivi's hand reassuringly.

The first course arrived - delicate seafood appetizers arranged like artwork on fine china. As conversations flowed around them, Vivi noticed Marcus Henderson studying their family dynamic with shrewd eyes. He'd been one of Reginald's closest business allies for decades, and his support could prove crucial if Romano truly was orchestrating something.

"Your father mentioned expanding into Asian markets," James said to Damien. "Ambitious move."

"We've got solid partnerships in place," Damien replied, his business persona taking over. "The projections look promising."

Ava touched James' arm again, giggling. "You'll have to tell me more about your work in venture capital. It sounds fascinating."

Damien's jaw tightened as he watched Ava lean closer to James Henderson, her tinkling laughter carrying across the table. Something about her behavior felt off - calculated rather than genuine. The way she kept glancing his way between her flirtations with James, gauging his reactions.

He thought back to their recent encounters, how she always seemed to know exactly what to say, how to touch him, when to pull back. Even their conversations about business had been perfectly timed, drawing out information about the Blackwood empire's operations.

A flash of movement caught his eye. Vivi was reaching for her water glass, her fingers trembling slightly. Their eyes met across the elaborate centerpiece, and in that brief moment of connection, he saw his own suspicions mirrored in her gaze.

Ava's hand slid up James' arm as she whispered something that made him blush. The move was familiar - she'd used the same technique on Damien countless times. But now, watching her work her charm on another target while still maintaining her hold on him, the seduction felt mechanical, rehearsed.

Vivi's eyes hadn't left his. There was something urgent in her expression, something she was trying to tell him. Damien felt the fog of attraction that had clouded his judgment starting to lift.

"Don't you agree, darling?" Ava's voice cut through his thoughts as she turned back to him, her smile sharp.

Damien blinked, realizing everyone at the table was looking at him. "I'm sorry, what was the question?"

"I was just telling James about our plans for the weekend getaway," Ava purred, her fingers trailing along James' sleeve. "Remember? That private villa I mentioned?"

"Actually," Damien set down his fork with a soft clink, "I don't recall making any such plans."

A flash of irritation crossed Ava's perfectly made-up face before she covered it with a laugh. "Oh, you're so forgetful sometimes. We discussed it just last night."

Sophia cleared her throat. "The market forecasts are quite interesting this quarter, aren't they, James? Particularly in relation to certain... unexpected rebounds."

James Henderson leaned forward, business interest piqued. "You mean Romano's sudden resurgence? Father and I were just discussing that."

"Fascinating timing," Sophia commented, her eyes flicking briefly to Ava. "Almost as if someone had inside information."

Ava's smile froze for a fraction of a second. She recovered quickly, turning her attention back to James. "Business talk is so dull at social gatherings, don't you think? Tell me more about your travels."

Vivi watched the exchange carefully, noting how Ava's hand had tightened around her wine glass at the mention of Romano. Beneath the table, she felt Sophia's foot tap against hers - their pre-arranged signal. Whatever game Ava was playing, she'd just revealed another tell.

Reginald, absorbed in conversation with Marcus Henderson, remained oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around his family. But Damien's expression had shifted, his earlier irritation replaced by something more calculating as he observed Ava's practiced flirtations with James.