Amelia adjusted the collar of her blazer nervously as she stood outside the towering conference hall.The glass walls reflected the gray sky, creating the illusion of stepping into a world suspended between heaven and earth.
This was not just another business meeting.
This was the meeting.
An exclusive gathering of the top investors and corporate giants — a rare opportunity to pitch new projects, forge alliances, and make or break futures.And for Amelia, it was her chance to finally prove she was more than just a pawn in someone else's game.
She inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of expectation settle on her shoulders.
Today, she would be presenting Julian's eco-resort project to potential investors — a role she hadn't officially accepted, but somehow had been pulled into anyway.
Julian had insisted she was the face he wanted the investors to see.
And Liam…
Amelia's heart twisted painfully.
She knew he would be there too, representing his own empire, undoubtedly keeping a sharp eye on her every move.
Part of her wanted to run.To hide.To avoid the collision she knew was inevitable.
But she straightened her back instead.
She would face whatever came.
Inside, the conference hall buzzed with energy.
Men and women in tailored suits moved like a swirling sea of ambition, their conversations a low, rumbling symphony.
Amelia scanned the crowd, looking for Julian.
She spotted him near the stage, speaking with a group of executives.He caught her gaze and smiled warmly, gesturing her over.
But before she could move, she felt a presence behind her — dark, magnetic, undeniable.
"Amelia."
Liam's voice was a low murmur, but it cut through the noise like a blade.
She turned slowly to face him.
He looked devastating in his black suit and crisp white shirt, his gray eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach twist.
"You look…" he hesitated, his gaze flickering over her, "perfect."
Amelia swallowed hard.
"Thank you," she said stiffly.
There was a pause — a crackling silence filled with everything they couldn't say in public.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Liam said quietly, his voice edged with something dangerous.
Amelia stiffened.
"I know exactly what I'm doing," she replied, lifting her chin.
Liam's mouth curved into a slow, knowing smile — but there was no humor in it.
"Do you?" he murmured.
Before she could respond, Julian appeared at her side, slipping an arm around her waist in a gesture that was both protective and possessive.
"Everything alright here?" he asked smoothly, though his eyes were sharp as steel.
Liam's jaw tightened.
"Perfectly," he said.
The two men stared at each other — a silent war waged in the space between them.
Amelia felt like a fragile rope stretched taut between two titans, both tugging at her from opposite sides.
And everyone was beginning to notice.
She caught the curious glances from nearby attendees, the whispers that rippled through the air like static.
Her cheeks burned.
This wasn't just personal anymore.It was becoming public.
The meeting began, pulling her away from the simmering tension.
Amelia followed Julian onto the stage, her hands trembling slightly as she adjusted the microphone.
The large screen behind them lit up with images of the resort — stunning views, sleek designs, the promise of innovation and sustainability.
Julian opened the presentation with effortless charm, laying out the vision.
Then he turned the floor over to Amelia.
She took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she began, her voice surprisingly steady, "this project isn't just about luxury. It's about the future. About building a world where innovation and responsibility go hand in hand."
As she spoke, the room quieted.
Faces turned toward her, eyes attentive.
She felt the power of the moment surge through her, steadying her nerves.
This — this was who she was meant to be.
Not a pawn.Not a prize.
A force.
When she finished, the room erupted into polite applause.
Amelia allowed herself a small, relieved smile.
But as she stepped off the stage, she saw Liam watching her — not clapping, not smiling, just watching, with an expression that made her shiver.
Possessive.Calculating.Unwilling to let go.
The cocktail hour that followed was a minefield.
Amelia moved through the crowd, exchanging polite smiles and shaking hands, but she could feel the invisible threads tightening around her.
Everywhere she turned, Julian was there — offering her champagne, introducing her to investors, praising her contribution.
And Liam…
Liam lurked at the edges of every conversation, his presence a dark shadow.
The tension between the two men was no longer subtle.
It was electric.
Inevitable.
Finally, it happened.
An older investor, clearly emboldened by too much whiskey, chuckled as he glanced between Julian and Liam.
"I see the competition isn't just about business these days," he said loudly enough for several people to hear. "Seems like you two are after the same prize."
The laughter that followed was sharp and awkward.
Amelia froze.
Her heart pounded violently in her chest.
She saw the flicker of fury cross Liam's face.Saw Julian stiffen beside her.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, all eyes flickering toward the three of them.
Julian recovered first.
He smiled, a cool, effortless smile, and slid an arm around Amelia's waist again.
"Some prizes," he said smoothly, "are worth fighting for."
The room chuckled nervously, but the atmosphere remained charged.
Amelia felt like the ground beneath her feet was crumbling.
She wanted to disappear.To rewind time.To undo whatever mistake had led her here.
But it was too late.
The damage was done.
Everyone now knew:Amelia Hale was at the center of a dangerous, high-stakes rivalry.
And not just a business one.
When the event finally ended, and the crowd began to disperse, Amelia made her way outside into the cool night air, desperate to breathe.
She hadn't taken three steps before a hand closed gently around her wrist.
She turned.
Liam.
"Come with me," he said roughly.
"I can't," she whispered.
"You can," he insisted, pulling her gently toward a black SUV waiting at the curb.
Amelia hesitated, torn between instinct and reason.
Julian appeared behind her, his voice low but firm.
"She's not going anywhere she doesn't want to."
The two men stared at each other, the tension between them thick enough to choke on.
Amelia yanked her wrist free and stepped back.
"Enough!" she snapped, surprising even herself. "I'm not something you can just... fight over! I make my own decisions."
Liam's eyes darkened.
Julian looked wounded.
For a long, heavy moment, none of them spoke.
And then Amelia turned on her heel and walked away.
Away from both of them.
Away from the confusion.
Away from the chaos.
Because in that moment, she realized something:
No matter how much they wanted her, no matter what they promised her —She had to want herself more.