Chapter 28

Susan Thompson was carrying a tray down the hallway when a lively figure suddenly blocked her path.

"Miss!" Ethan Sullivan's eyes sparkled as if he'd discovered a rare treasure. "I'm in love!"

The wine glasses on the tray trembled slightly. Susan was momentarily speechless. She'd seen many intoxicated guests, but none had ever rushed over to declare their love so boldly.

Her gaze flickered between Ethan and Calvin Grant. Then, understanding dawned. She offered a professional smile. "Congratulations to you both. Would you like champagne to celebrate?"

The private room fell dead silent.

Calvin's face darkened like a storm cloud. "Are you blind?"

"Wait, no! It's a misunderstanding!" Ethan waved his hands frantically, his ears turning red. "I meant... I meant you..."

Bruce Bowman suddenly burst into laughter, spilling half his whiskey.

Only then did Susan realize her mistake. Her cheeks burned. "My apologies. I misunderstood."

"It's fine!" Ethan stared at her intently. "What I meant to say was..."

"Interrogating her now?" Calvin cut in coldly. "Ask too much, and you'll scare her away."

Flustered, Ethan abruptly pulled Susan into his arms. "I like you! From the first moment I saw you!"

Susan froze. She'd endured countless hollow flirtations, but this man's heartbeat thundered against her ear like a frantic drum.

"I felt like something was missing," Ethan murmured, "until I saw you..."

"Do you even know who she is?" Andrew Lucas's voice was icy, instantly freezing the warm atmosphere.

Ethan shielded Susan behind him. "She's the woman I'm going to marry!"

"Marry a nightclub hostess?" Andrew sneered. "Not disgusted by the filth?"

Susan's nails dug into her palms. Memories of humiliation surged like a tidal wave, nearly buckling her knees.

"Andrew!" Ethan's rare anger flared. "Apologize!"

He turned and gently wiped the tears from Susan's face. "Don't listen to him. I know you're a good woman."

Her tears fell harder. How long had it been since someone defended her like this? Not since... that person left.

"Let me sing for you?" Ethan fumbled through an off-key lullaby.

Susan laughed through her tears. The clumsy melody comforted her more than any words could.

Behind them, glass shattered violently. Andrew stood amidst the wreckage, his eyes swirling with a terrifying storm.