Traces Of Another Woman

It wasn't long before Liam approached my table alone, a look of feigned surprise on his face. "Juliana, what a coincidence! What are you doing here?"

"Meeting a client," I replied calmly, my eyes drifting past him to Victoria, who was attempting to slip out through a side exit. "And you, Ms. Reed," I added, my gaze locking onto hers. "I didn't expect to see you here."

A single bead of sweat trickled from her temple down her cheek.

I let out a soft laugh and shrugged. "I thought you'd be busy revising the 'Skyline' project proposal. It seems your company isn't in much of a hurry."

Victoria approached with her head bowed, but I still caught the flicker of resentment in her eyes. "Mr. Miller, Ms. Vance," she mumbled. "I had an impromptu meeting here. I was just about to head back to revise the proposal, as you asked."

Sensing her unease, Liam draped his arm around my shoulders, his voice cloyingly sweet. "Oh, darling, Victoria is my boss. She’s always looked out for me at work. Don't give her such a hard time."

He then grinned at her. "Ms. Reed, you're too formal. Didn't you know the 'Skyline' project belongs to my wife's company? You should have told me. For my sake, I'm sure she would have given the project to you."

I suppressed a sneer, keeping my expression placid. He really thought I was foolish enough to hand over a lucrative project to his mistress.

"If I had known Ms. Reed was so good to you, I wouldn't have been so harsh," I said, my voice steady. "But the proposal still has issues. Please revise it carefully, Ms. Reed. Then we can discuss the next steps."

Victoria sighed in relief, thanked me, and hurried away. In the reflection of the hotel's glass doors, I saw her disdainful, triumphant smirk.

She could smile for now. Before this night was over, I'd give her a reason to cry.

I gently removed Liam's arm from my shoulder, only to take his hand in mine, leading him deeper into the hotel. His cheeks were flushed as he asked tentatively, "Where are we going?"

I didn't answer. I just led him to the elevators and pressed the button for the top floor. As the doors slid shut, he leaned in, his eyes soft and suggestive.

But his breath carried the faint, sickeningly sweet scent of her perfume, and it made my stomach churn. In the small, enclosed space, the smell was overpowering.

He froze, his mouth clamping shut as his eyes darted to the glowing floor indicator. He finally realized where we were headed—to the very floor where he had just been with Victoria.