Reclaimed By My Ex-husband

Liam turned his head, meeting Nathaniel's eyes with a steady gaze. He had never liked Riya and had no intention of marrying her, but his family had been pressuring him.

Years ago, he had defied them to pursue a career of his own choosing, promising in return that once he succeeded in the fashion world, he would do whatever they asked.

Now, he was at the peak of that success. His name alone was a brand, celebrities and the wealthy competing to wear his designs. And this was the moment his parents chose to remind him of that promise.

Refusing wasn't an option. If they wanted a business marriage, he would accept it.

After all, this was with the Grants—longtime allies of the Lawsons. The arrangement was beneficial to both families.

In their world, convenience often outweighed affection; marriage was less about love and more about strategy. To Liam, it was simply keeping his word. Whoever his parents chose, Riya or another heiress, it made no difference to him.

A sneer tugged at his lips. "If you are so worried about your precious sister, why don't you talk to your parents instead? Tell them the match won't work. Why put it on me to step aside?"

"Because my parents want to strengthen the bond between our families," Nathaniel said evenly. "They believe years of friendship can be sealed with a marriage alliance."

"Hmm…" Liam's eyes gleamed with derision. "And you think this alliance isn't in the families' best interests."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened at Liam's arrogance. "I'm not against you or your family," he said evenly. "But I can't overlook the fact that you have never taken relationships seriously. How many women have you dated already? I won't let Riya become just another passing fling of yours."

Liam's smile faltered slightly, though it still curved faintly at the corners of his lips. Yes—he had been infamous on the school campus as a playboy back then. But what no one knew was that he had fallen deeply for a girl, but he had failed to win her.

That pain had pushed him to wear the mask of a carefree flirt, surrounding himself with shallow encounters to protect himself from further heartbreak.

He had only been involved with women who were also seeking casual dating and sex. He never actively pursued anyone, but he didn't turn away those who deliberately approached him and sought his attention. But he had never thought of cheating on his wife if he ever got married, even if it was just a convenient marriage.

"You seem to know me inside out," Liam drawled smugly. "So how did you overlook the fact that I never say no to any women? Riya is stunning, a rising star in modeling—perfectly fits my taste. Why wouldn't I want her? Any man would want a beautiful wife. I'm no different."

With a lofty air, he slid his hands into his pockets, his gaze locking challengingly with Nathaniel's. "I won't refuse the proposal," he declared. "If you are worried, talk to your sister. Ask her if she is willing to marry a man like me. Don't play her guardian. Let her decide for herself."

"You—" Nathaniel's hand shot out, gripping Liam's collar. For a moment, he was ready to hit him, but he forced himself to hold back. Releasing his grip, he straightened the wrinkle on his suit jacket.

"As I told you, I have nothing against you," he said coldly, trying to mask the storm inside. "But when it comes to my sister, I won't stand by and watch anyone break her heart."

Casting one last warning glare at Liam, Nathaniel strode off, his eyes scanning the hall for the familiar figure.

While Nathaniel was occupied with Liam, Zara and Bree mingled with several influential guests. From a shadowed corner, Riya observed them, her mind already scheming. She intercepted a passing waitress, handing her a small pouch of white powder and leaning close to whisper instructions.

The waitress's eyes widened, a mix of fear and disbelief on her face. "What if I get caught?" she murmured.

Riya produced a wad of cash from her purse. "All this is yours if you do exactly as I say. Quietly, and no one will trace it back to you."

Greed sparkled in the waitress's eyes. She snatched the money. "I'll do it."

"Good," Riya said with a smirk, passing the pouch to her.

The waitress slipped away, discreetly mixing the powder into a glass of champagne before approaching Zara and Bree, who were still engrossed in their conversation.

"Madam, would you like another drink?" she offered, ensuring Zara picked up the spiked glass.

Zara sipped absentmindedly, resuming her chat with Bree, completely unaware. The waitress then quietly exited the hall.

"I'm starving," Bree said. "Let's go grab something to eat."

Zara also thought of eating something and leaving. She followed Bree and came to a corner of the hall where the buffet tables were set up.

The aroma of warm food spread into the air. Guests moved along the line, plates in hand, chatting casually as they picked their favorites.

Zara and Bree scanned the spread. There were neat trays of sandwiches, pastries, bowls of fresh fruits, and a variety of bite-sized tarts. At the far end, servers stood behind carving stations offering roasted chicken.

"I'll just take some fruits and a sandwich," Zara said, quickly piling a cucumber sandwich and a handful of grapes onto her plate.

Bree reached for a small portion of roasted chicken, then added a croissant and a few strawberries.

Balancing their plates, they moved toward a quiet corner and found round tables lined up on one side. They sat down and started eating.

Before taking another bite, Zara felt a sudden wave of unease. An unusual heat coursed through her body, leaving her restless. Her eyes burned, her throat felt parched. She took a long sip of champagne, but it did nothing to ease the dryness. In fact, it made her feel worse.

Bree, absorbed in her food and excitement over attending the event, didn't notice Zara's discomfort. "Our event is coming up soon. We should start distributing flyers. It's great that we got to speak with the Cine magazine chief editor. She seems intrigued by our wedding collection and will surely help spread the word across the city."

But Zara could barely focus, the rising heat making her increasingly restless. She sensed something was seriously wrong.

"I… I need to use the restroom," she stammered, rising abruptly and hurrying away.

"Eh?" Bree started to ask if Zara needed help, but by then, Zara had already moved too far away to hear her.

From a corner, Riya's lips curled into a cruel smile as she watched her leave the hall. "Right into my trap, Zara," she muttered.