Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel Chapter 85

A rich, heady scent of whiskey drifted through the luxurious, spacious VIP suite.

A French crystal chandelier bathed the room in a decadent, champagne-gold glow.

Nanette was there with her agent, Linda Chang, attending a high-roller’s party thrown by the city’s elite.

The moment Nanette walked in, she realized this was no ordinary gathering.

Familiar faces from the A-list were everywhere—Oscar-winning actresses, Golden Globe darlings, women who usually carried themselves like queens suddenly mingling shoulder to shoulder.

If these big names had all shown up tonight, it could only mean one thing: someone truly important was in the room.

Linda leaned in, lowering her voice.

“See those men on the black leather couch in the back? The ones who look like they walked out of a GQ spread? Heirs to some of the most powerful families in Capitol City.”

Linda’s gaze shifted, and she sucked in a breath.

“Oh my God—look! The guy in the yellow shirt—that’s Victor, the Brooks family’s crown prince. I can’t believe he’s here tonight. This is major!”

She nudged Nanette, excitement flashing in her eyes. “Listen, tonight’s your shot. Make sure you stand out. If Victor even glances your way, opportunities will fall into your lap. These people—just a crumb from their table and you’ll be breaking into Hollywood before you know it.”

Nanette had been in the industry for a few years now—she’d gotten used to these kinds of parties, the unwritten rules, the power plays.

Even as a leading actress, she still had to rely on these wealthy patrons.

But when she heard Victor’s name, she couldn’t help but pause.

She glanced over at the man in question.

Victor stood out, even among the rich and famous. He was strikingly handsome, his features sharp and magnetic. The yellow shirt and black dress pants he wore seemed almost casual on him, his long legs stretched out as he lounged back on the couch, exuding lazy confidence.

One arm draped over the back of the sofa, the other held a glass of neat whiskey. Even at a glance, it was obvious: this man radiated power and privilege—untouchable, yet impossibly alluring.

He was, without a doubt, the most important person in the room. Nearly every woman’s gaze clung to him, longing and curiosity written all over their faces.

Victor, however, seemed oblivious. Dark eyes half-lidded, he surveyed the room with an air of detached amusement, as if nothing could truly interest him.

Nanette remembered how Isadora had been desperate to find Victor the other day. She wondered if her friend had succeeded.

Thinking of this, she turned to Linda. “I need to make a quick call.”

Nanette looked up. One of her co-stars, Patricia—the second female lead from her current show—seemed to have just gotten a drink thrown in her face by none other than Victor himself.

Nanette perked up instantly. “Oh wow. Brutal!”

She’d never liked Patricia, a nobody from some rich family who’d bought her way into a supporting role. The girl was always demanding script changes and more screen time, flaunting her supposed connections with Mr. Fitzgerald, and acting like she belonged at the center of every scene.

Tonight, it looked like karma had finally caught up.

Isadora, still on the phone, asked, “What happened?”

Nanette grinned. “Victor just dumped a drink on Patricia’s head! I’m going to see what’s up.”

—

Victor hadn’t really wanted to be here tonight—he’d only come because Dailey Brooks, the eldest son of the Brooks family, had insisted.

Dailey loved these wild parties, always chasing the next thrill. Victor almost never indulged him, but tonight he’d made an exception.

Now, as neon lights played across the crowd and the revelry spun out of control, Victor watched the chaos unfold from his vantage point, aloof and perfectly at ease.