Chapter 65

The luncheon continued with carefully orchestrated small talk and hidden tensions. Ava kept switching her attention between James and Damien, her charm offensive growing more obvious by the minute. Each time she touched James' arm or laughed at his jokes, she shot quick glances at Damien to gauge his reaction.

"The Henderson portfolio has grown impressively," Reginald said to Marcus. "Your expansion into tech startups was perfectly timed."

"Speaking of timing," Sophia cut in smoothly, "I heard Romano Industries made some interesting moves recently. Their stock jumped quite unexpectedly."

Ava's hand paused mid-gesture. Her smile remained fixed but her eyes hardened slightly.

"Yes, caught everyone by surprise," James agreed. "Father and I were discussing potential insider influence."

"How fascinating." Vivi spoke up, watching Ava carefully. "It's amazing how quickly fortunes can change with the right... information."

Damien observed the exchange with growing awareness. He noticed how Ava's posture had stiffened at the mention of Romano, how her usual fluid grace seemed forced now. Her attempts to redirect attention through flirtation felt mechanical, rehearsed.

Under the table, Sophia tapped her foot against Vivi's again. They exchanged a quick look - Ava was getting sloppy, letting her mask slip.

"More wine?" The server appeared at Ava's elbow.

"Please." She held out her glass, her usual poise cracking just slightly. "James, you simply must tell me about your new yacht. I hear the Mediterranean is lovely this time of year."

But James had turned his attention to Sophia's comments about market trends, leaving Ava's attempt at distraction hanging awkwardly in the air.

The luncheon settled into polite conversation, with Ava maintaining a studied silence. She picked at her food, her earlier animation replaced by careful restraint. Her eyes darted between the other guests, calculating and watchful.

Reginald dominated the conversation, discussing business prospects with Marcus while James added occasional insights. Sophia and Vivi contributed just enough to appear engaged while monitoring Ava's reactions.

Damien noticed the shift in Ava's demeanor. The woman who'd been so eager to command attention now seemed content to fade into the background. She sipped her wine slowly, her red lips leaving perfect crescents on the crystal glass.

"The market indicators are promising," Marcus said, gesturing with his fork. "Especially in the tech sector."

"Indeed." Reginald dabbed his mouth with a napkin. "Though some recent fluctuations have raised eyebrows."

Throughout the exchange, Ava maintained her composure, but her knuckles whitened around her wine glass at certain mentions. She offered only slight nods and polite smiles when directly addressed.

The tension at the table remained palpable beneath the veneer of civilized dining. Servers moved silently between them, refreshing drinks and clearing plates while Ava sat like a statue, her previous vivacity replaced by careful observation.

The luncheon stretched into its third hour, each minute weighted with unspoken tensions. Sophia maintained her strategic probing about market trends while Vivi watched Ava's composure continue to crack around the edges.

"The regulatory changes have certainly shifted the landscape," James said, directing his comments to Reginald. "Some companies seem unusually well-positioned to benefit."

Ava's fingers drummed against her wine glass. "Business talk is so tedious at social gatherings." She turned to Damien with a practiced smile. "Wouldn't you rather discuss something more... entertaining?"

"Actually, I find market manipulation fascinating," Damien replied, his eyes cool. "Especially when certain players seem to have advance knowledge of major moves."

A muscle twitched in Ava's jaw. She covered it by taking another sip of wine, but her hand trembled slightly as she set the glass down.

"Speaking of players," Sophia interjected smoothly, "I heard Victor Romano has been particularly active in this city lately."

Ava's silverware clattered against her plate. She quickly recovered, but not before several heads turned her way.

"Are you alright, dear?" Reginald asked.

"Perfect." Ava's smile was brittle. "Just a bit clumsy today, it seems."

The conversation drifted to safer topics, but the damage was done. Ava's carefully constructed facade had shown its first real cracks. She sat back in her chair, her previous attempts at commanding attention abandoned in favor of wary observation.

Vivi caught Sophia's eye across the table. Their suspicions about Ava's connections to Romano were looking more solid by the minute. Now they just needed concrete proof.

The luncheon finally wound down as servers cleared the last plates. Ava had grown increasingly quiet, her earlier charm offensive replaced by careful observation. She kept her wine glass close, using it as a shield whenever conversation veered toward business or Romano Industries.

"Shall we move to the lounge for coffee?" Reginald suggested, standing from his chair.

The group migrated to the adjoining room. Ava positioned herself next to Damien on one of the plush sofas, her hand sliding possessively onto his knee. Her previous subdued demeanor shifted as she leaned close to whisper in his ear.

Vivi watched the display from across the room, noting how Ava's actions seemed calculated rather than genuinely affectionate. Each touch, each whispered word appeared designed to stake her claim on Damien while maintaining the image of the perfect girlfriend.

Sophia engaged James in conversation about art galleries, steering him away from business talk. She kept one eye on Ava, cataloging each reaction and tell.

"The new exhibit at the Morrison Gallery is stunning," Sophia said. "Though I heard some pieces have questionable provenance."

Ava's fingers tightened on Damien's knee. Her smile remained fixed, but tension radiated from her rigid posture.

"More coffee?" A server appeared with a fresh carafe.

"Please." Ava thrust her cup forward, nearly spilling what remained. Her usual grace had abandoned her, replaced by barely concealed agitation.

Damien noticed her unease, studying her profile as she focused intently on adding sugar to her coffee. The woman beside him seemed different from the seductive, confident Ava who'd first caught his attention. Something had shifted during lunch, cracking her polished veneer.

The afternoon stretched on with careful conversation and watchful observation. Every mention of business or the market caused Ava to tense slightly, though she tried to mask it with flirtation and forced laughter. Her act was slipping, revealing glimpses of something calculating beneath the charming surface.

And Damien had started taking notice of it.