A Dance of Indifference

(Samuel's POV)

The moment I stepped onto the dance floor with Belle, the atmosphere in the banquet shifted.

The soft music played, the grand chandelier above casting golden light over the swirling guests.

But the real spectacle?

Was us.

Eyes followed our movements, whispers spreading like wildfire.

Samuel Gebb… dancing with Belle Ross?

The same Samuel Gebb whose wife clung to Joshua Lenin like a lifeline?

I smirked as I twirled Belle effortlessly, my grip on her waist firm yet relaxed.

She was light on her feet, graceful, but I could tell she was also watching.

Not just the way I danced—

But the way Abigail reacted.

Because even if I didn't care anymore…

Abigail clearly did.

From the corner of my eye, I saw her.

Her expression wasn't neutral.

It was dark.

Was it jealousy?

Was it anger?

Was it regret?

I didn't know.

I didn't care.

If she had the right to cling to Joshua in public, flaunting him in front of me, then why should I care about her dignity?

And more importantly…

Belle Ross?

She was far more beautiful than Abigail could ever hope to be.

I chuckled under my breath as I leaned closer to Belle, whispering just enough for her to hear.

"I think I just ruined someone's night."

She smirked, her oceanic blue eyes gleaming in amusement.

"Good."

I twirled her once more, the music guiding us.

And for the first time in a long time—

I felt absolutely nothing for Abigail Bardot.

(Henry's POV)

I leaned against the bar, swirling the golden liquid in my glass as my gaze flickered toward the dance floor.

Samuel moved with effortless confidence, his emerald green eyes unreadable, his posture dominant yet composed.

And the woman in his arms?

Belle Ross.

The most beautiful, most sought-after actress in the world.

A woman who outshined Abigail Bardot in every possible way.

But that wasn't what had my attention.

No.

I was more interested in Abigail's reaction.

She sat stiffly beside Joshua, her grip on her champagne glass tight.

Her expression?

Dark. Hollow. Utterly destroyed.

I smirked, taking a slow sip of my drink.

So, she finally realized.

She finally understood that she no longer had power over Samuel.

That he was no longer the man she had humiliated, cheated on, and discarded.

I knew, even back in our first life, when Samuel read that damn novel, all he wanted was to destroy her for what she did to the original Samuel Gebb.

And now?

In this third life…

He finally got the chance.

And damn, was it satisfying to watch.

Joshua, the so-called superstar, leaned toward Abigail, whispering something.

She didn't react.

She didn't even look at him.

Because at that moment, the only person in the room she saw… was Samuel.

I chuckled under my breath. "Poetic justice at its finest."

I glanced at my watch.

The night was still young.

And if Abigail thought this was the worst of it…

She had no idea what was coming next.

I felt a presence beside me, and before I even turned, I knew who it was.

"What are you dozing off for?"

I glanced to my right and saw Windy Zhong, standing there with her usual sharp gaze.

I forgot she was here.

I smiled slightly, taking another sip of my drink. "Just enjoying the view."

Her eyes followed mine toward the dance floor, where Samuel and Belle moved effortlessly, stealing the spotlight.

Windy raised an eyebrow. "Well, they can do a beautiful dance."

I chuckled. "That they can."

But we both knew this wasn't about the dance.

It was about the message it sent.

Samuel wasn't a victim anymore.

He wasn't the man Abigail controlled.

And me?

I had already walked away from my past.

Windy tapped the rim of her glass, her lips curving into a knowing smirk. "You seem… satisfied with how things are playing out."

I leaned back slightly, tilting my head toward her. "Wouldn't you be?"

She let out a soft chuckle. "Fair point."

I studied her for a moment. Windy Zhong—a woman feared in the business world, a rival to Katerina, and now, seemingly intrigued by me.

I could already tell she had an agenda.

Windy took a slow sip of her wine, her sharp eyes never leaving mine.

Then, she asked the question I knew was coming.

"Are you serious about any relationship?"

I exhaled, setting my glass down on the bar.

"I believe all women who have power always cheat on their husbands."

Her eyebrow arched slightly, but she remained silent.

I continued, my voice calm yet unwavering.

"Because they want thrill in sex." I smirked slightly. "Well, I'm saying this from personal experience, Ms. Zhong."

Her expression remained unreadable as I finished.

"And that's the reason I don't trust rich female CEOs."

A beat of silence.

Then—she chuckled softly, swirling the wine in her glass.

"A bold statement, Mr. Liberty."

I shrugged. "It's not bold if it's the truth."

She tapped a manicured finger against the rim of her glass. "And yet, you're still here, mingling with the same women you claim to distrust."

I smirked. "I never said I don't play the game, Ms. Zhong."

Her eyes gleamed with amusement. "Smart man."

I took another sip of my whiskey.

Because while I had no faith in powerful women…

I knew how to use them just as well as they used men.

"Wanna have a dance?" she asked, her tone casual but knowing.

I took a slow sip of my whiskey, letting my golden eyes shift toward Katerina.

She was laughing, smiling, and talking to other men as if I didn't exist.

How cute.

I smirked.

So, this was her way of proving she had "moved on," huh?

Then why did she keep stealing quick glances my way every time I wasn't looking?

Pathetic.

I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders as I turned back to Windy.

Dancing with the one woman Katerina despised the most?

Now that... that sounded entertaining.

I thought to myself, "Dancing with the person she hates most… it's making me feel excitement."

I smirked, extending my hand toward Windy.

"Shall we?"

She chuckled, placing her hand in mine. "Let's give them a show."

And with that, we stepped onto the dance floor—

And I made sure Katerina saw every second of it.

(Samuel's POV – A Stage of Power and Spite)

The grand ballroom shimmered under golden chandeliers, but all eyes were on the dance floor.

Two pairs stood at its center.

Two men—Samuel Gebb and Henry Hans.

Two women—Belle Ross and Windy Zhong.

But to the onlookers?

We weren't just dancing.

We were commanding the floor.

Dancing with goddesses.

The music swelled, and I spun Belle effortlessly, her flowing gown catching the light as she moved with graceful precision.

Across from me, Henry led Windy Zhong with that same unshakable confidence, a smirk playing on his lips.

It was effortless.

Refined.

Dominant.

We weren't just moving to the rhythm—we were controlling it.

And the world?

The world was watching.

I let my emerald green eyes flick toward the sidelines.

There they were.

Abigail and Katerina.

Frozen. Watching. Seething.

For years, they had dictated the narrative.

For years, they had controlled the stage.

But tonight?

Tonight, they weren't the main characters.

We were.

I leaned closer to Belle, my voice smooth.

"I think some people regret their life choices tonight."

She chuckled, her oceanic blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "Let them."

And as the dance continued, I knew one thing for sure—

We weren't just dancing.

We were winning.