Chapter 158

Calen’s gaze flickered between Liam and Izzy, his jaw tight as he stood awkwardly in the middle of the living room. His eyes lingered on the soft lighting, the neatly set dining table in the next room, and the half-empty wine glasses. The faint notes of jazz drifted through the space, warm and intimate. Everything about the scene made his hands clench at his sides.

At least Izzy let him in. At least he now had the chance to talk to Liam. Almost immediately, his gaze landed on the man he wanted to talk to.

Liam leaned back against the sofa's armrest, one arm draped casually along the back, eyes glinting with boredom and impatience. Izzy stood by the doorway, arms loosely crossed, her expression unreadable. The sight only heightened Calen’s irritation.

Calen’s fingers flexed, his eyes narrowing. “Tell me…” he began, his words strained. “Were you and her—” He broke off, eyes darting briefly to Izzy before snapping back to Liam.

Liam’s eyes flickered coldly. “Mind your own business,” he smoothly interjected, never leaving Calen’s face. “If you’re here to gossip, you’re wasting your time.” He lazily arched a brow. “What do you want, Weiss? It’s late, and I don’t recall any appointments with you.”

Calen’s jaw flexed, his eyes flashing. He exhaled sharply, irritation simmering beneath the surface. “I want to talk in private,” he bit out, eyes darting pointedly to Izzy. “If you don’t mind.”

Liam’s gaze didn’t waver. “Whatever you have to say, say it here,” he remarked coolly. “We don’t have secrets in this house.”

Calen’s eyes narrowed further. Something about Liam’s “this house” irritated him. What was this man doing? Was he still trying to make him jealous?

He rolled his eyes inwardly but forced himself to remain calm. The last thing he needed was a scene. “This is business,” he snapped. “I don’t see the point in having her hear it, considering she’s leaving Weiss Inc. soon.”

Liam’s eyes glinted faintly, his lips twitching with what might have been amusement. “Then you can leave,” he said smoothly, his eyes half-lidded and bored. “I don’t see the point of entertaining someone who barges into my home uninvited and disrespects my woman.”

Calen’s glare darkened, his fingers clenching tighter. “You—” he began, but the words died on his tongue. He sucked in a breath, forcing composure. Picking a fight would get him nowhere. After a beat, he cleared his throat, straightening slightly.

“Look,” he muttered, his voice tight. “All I’m asking is for you to give Weiss Inc. more authority on the Macau project. Enough to get the investors off our backs. You know how it is.”

Liam’s eyes narrowed, glinting coldly. He didn’t move for a moment. Then, with a quiet sigh, he pushed to his feet in one fluid motion, brushing imaginary lint from his sleeve.

Calen blinked, momentarily thrown. “Where are you going?” he snapped.

Liam arched a brow, completely unbothered. “To my dinner,” he said dryly. “If you want to talk business, call my secretary and schedule a meeting. I don’t appreciate being disturbed during personal time.”

Calen’s eyes flashed with anger. “You’re kidding me, right?” he bit out, his voice rising slightly. “You can’t be serious—”

But Liam was already turning, one hand slipping into his pocket as he moved smoothly toward the hallway, his shoulders relaxed. He didn’t bother glancing back, clearly dismissing the conversation.

Calen’s fists clenched, his lips curling with something dark and furious. “You can’t just walk away,” he snapped, his eyes blazing.

“This is important!”

Liam’s stride didn’t falter. “Then call my secretary,” he remarked smoothly over his shoulder. “And leave. You’re ruining my dinner.”

Calen’s jaw flexed, disbelief flashing across his face. “You—”

But Liam was already halfway down the hallway, unbothered and utterly uninterested.

Izzy arched an eyebrow, watching with something close to amusement. She crossed her arms, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Well,” she remarked lightly, her eyes glinting. “You heard him.”

Calen’s glare snapped to her, his eyes darkening. For a moment, he looked like he might argue, might snap back with something cutting and bitter. But the cool, indifferent, almost bored look in Izzy’s eyes made the words wither on his tongue.

He sucked in a breath, forcing a cold, composed expression. Without another word, he turned sharply, storming out of the apartment with brisk, clipped steps. The door slammed behind him with a dull thud, rattling the picture frames on the wall.

Izzy snorted softly, pushing off the doorframe with a faint roll of her eyes. “Dramatic,” she muttered, smoothing a hand down her blouse.

Liam reappeared a moment later, his eyes glinting with faint amusement. “Is he gone?” he asked, his lips twitching.

Izzy huffed, turning back toward the dining room. “Hopefully for good,” she muttered dryly. “What a headache.” She never actually expected him to come here and talk business. Why couldn’t he just solve the problems himself instead of asking others for help? This is the man who replaced her. Sadly, this didn't make her feel any better. She always knew Calen was incompetent, and letting him manage a project she worked so hard on was heartbreaking.

Liam chuckled, following her back to the table. He reached for the wine bottles, pouring each of them a fresh glass with a faint smirk. “Well,” he remarked, clinking his glass against hers. “At least dinner’s still warm.”

Izzy snorted, rolling her eyes. “Barely,” she quipped, though her lips twitched with something warm and amused. “You’re buying dessert after this.”

Liam chuckled softly, sipping his wine with a faint smirk. “Noted,” he murmured.

“You didn’t tell me Izzy’s living here!” Calen snapped at his secretary.

“Well—I—”

“I don’t want to hear your explanation! Drive!” His mood had worsened.

“Sir, Madam called. She asked when you’re coming home. She prepared some late-night snacks for you and Miss Johnson.”

“Pamella?” Calen immediately frowned. Pamella should be in New York! What is she doing here?

“Yes, sir. It seems Miss Pamella is currently visiting Madam at the mansion.”

Calen frowned. He couldn’t understand why Pamella was doing all this extra stuff when their relationship was purely transactional. Calen had been introduced as Pamella’s boyfriend, the Johnson family had stopped asking about her marriage, and Calen had used her as business leverage. This transaction was done. So why was she still around him?

“Then take me to the mansion,” he said.