The discussion table near the stage slowly filled with some of the most powerful people in the room.
Executives.
Investors.
Industry rivals.
People who built empires and destroyed others without hesitation.
Camille felt dozens of eyes follow her as she and Dante approached.
She lifted her chin slightly.
Let them look.
Dante pulled out a chair for her beside him.
It was a small gesture, but several people noticed.
Respect.
Possession.
Both.
Camille sat smoothly while Dante took his seat next to her. Across the table sat Charles Harrington, smiling politely as he shuffled a stack of papers.
"Thank you all for joining," Harrington began. "Tonight's investment discussion will focus on the new expansion project being proposed by the Moretti Group."
A murmur spread across the table.
Camille glanced sideways at Dante.
He looked completely relaxed.
Too relaxed.
Which meant he was already expecting trouble.
Harrington continued.
"As many of you know, the Moretti expansion plan involves entering three new international markets. It is an ambitious strategy."
Ambitious.
Risky.
Controversial.
Those were the words everyone had been whispering about for weeks.
One of the investors leaned forward.
A man in his fifties with sharp gray hair and a calculating expression.
"Ambitious is one word for it," he said.
Dante's gaze slid toward him.
"Mr. Langley."
Langley smiled thinly.
"Moretti."
His eyes shifted to Camille.
"And this must be your wife."
Camille met his gaze calmly.
"Yes."
Langley leaned back in his chair.
"I heard rumors you would bring her tonight."
Camille raised an eyebrow.
"Rumors travel quickly."
"They do."
Langley folded his hands on the table.
"And the rumors about your marriage are even more interesting"
The tension around the table sharpened.
Camille felt Dante's attention focus completely on Langley now.
Dangerous.
Quiet.
Langley continued smoothly.
"A contract marriage, if I remember correctly."
A few people shifted in their seats.
Camille heard the whispers.
Contract marriage.
Strategic wife.
Temporary relationship.
The same gossip Victor and Elena had spread.
Langley tilted his head.
"Tell me, Mrs. Moretti… do you understand the financial risks involved in your husband's expansion plan?"
The question sounded polite.
But the insult was obvious.
He was testing her.
Trying to embarrass her.
Camille slowly placed her hands on the table.
Then she smiled.
"Of course I understand."
Langley raised a brow.
"Oh?"
"Yes."
She leaned forward slightly.
"The Moretti expansion will increase international revenue by at least forty percent within the next three years."
Langley frowned slightly.
"That is optimistic."
Camille shrugged.
"It's mathematics."
A few people around the table exchanged looks.
Langley wasn't finished.
"Markets are unpredictable."
"True," Camille replied.
"But hesitation is predictable."
Langley's eyes narrowed.
Camille continued calmly.
"Companies that hesitate during market shifts usually lose to the ones willing to move first."
She glanced briefly toward Dante.
Then back at Langley.
"And Dante Moretti has never been known for hesitating."
Silence fell across the table.
Several investors leaned back thoughtfully.
Langley studied her carefully.
"You speak confidently."
"I speak accurately."
He smirked slightly.
"Interesting."
His gaze moved toward Dante.
"You've trained your wife well."
The insult was subtle.
But Camille heard it.
So did Dante.
Before Dante could speak, Camille laughed softly.
"Actually," she said, "Dante didn't train me."
Langley looked amused.
"No?"
"No."
Her smile sharpened slightly.
"I've always been like this."
Dante leaned back in his chair.
Watching her.
Amused.
Proud.
And maybe a little impressed.
Langley finally nodded slowly.
"Well," he said, "I suppose we'll see whether your confidence is justified."
He turned back toward Harrington.
"Continue."
The discussion moved on.
But the tone had changed.
Camille could feel it.
The room no longer saw her as decoration.
Now they were curious.
Maybe even cautious.
The meeting lasted another hour.
By the end of it, several investors had already agreed to support the expansion.
When the discussion ended, people stood and began moving around the ballroom again.
Camille exhaled slowly.
"That was exhausting."
Dante stood beside her.
"You enjoyed it."
She smiled.
"Maybe."
They stepped away from the crowd toward the quieter balcony outside the ballroom.
The cool night air wrapped around them.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then Dante said quietly,
"You surprised them."
Camille leaned against the railing.
"I surprised you too."
Dante stepped closer.
"Yes."
She looked at him.
"Admit it."
He studied her for a moment before answering.
"I expected you to defend yourself."
"And?"
"I didn't expect you to dismantle him."
Camille laughed.
"Well, he deserved it."
Dante's gaze softened slightly.
"You didn't panic."
"I told you I wouldn't."
He moved even closer now.
Close enough that Camille could feel the heat of his body again.
His voice dropped.
"You're dangerous."
She tilted her head.
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's true."
Her pulse quickened.
"Dangerous how?"
Dante's eyes moved slowly over her face.
Then to her lips.
Then back to her eyes.
"You make people underestimate you."
Camille swallowed.
"And that bothers you?"
His voice lowered further.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because you're my wife."
The words were simple.
But something about the way he said them made her heart jump.
Camille looked away quickly.
"You're getting used to saying that."
"Maybe."
The air between them thickened again.
Just like in the car earlier.
Camille felt it.
That pull.
That tension.
She turned back toward him.
"You almost kissed me earlier today."
Dante didn't deny it.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you?"
His gaze darkened.
"Because once I start something, Camille… I don't stop easily."
Her breath caught.
The quiet intensity in his voice made heat rush through her chest.
"And you think I'd stop you?"
For a second the question hung between them.
Then Dante stepped forward.
Now there was almost no space left between them.
His hand lifted slowly.
Resting lightly against her waist.
Camille didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"You're playing with something dangerous."
Her heart pounded.
"I know."
"And you still keep pushing."
She looked up at him.
Their faces inches apart.
"Maybe I want to see what happens."
Dante's eyes darkened completely.
For a moment it looked like he was losing that calm control he always had.
His fingers tightened slightly at her waist.
The tension snapped tighter.
Closer.
Closer.
And then—
A voice interrupted.
"Dante."
They both turned.
Victor stood at the balcony entrance again.
Watching them.
His expression dark.
Angry.
Possessive.
The moment shattered.
Camille stepped back slightly.
Dante's gaze hardened instantly.
Victor walked closer slowly.
"Well," he said coldly, "this is interesting."
The tension between the three of them exploded in the quiet night air.
And Camille knew immediately.
The night wasn't over yet.
Not even close.