Chapter 196

Victoria Sinclair's lips curled into a vicious smile as she finished giving instructions to the waiter.

Her manicured nails dug into Vanessa Sterling's shoulder as she whispered, "Make sure you get every second on camera. I want that disgraceful exit to go viral."

Vanessa shuddered at the venom in Victoria's voice. This wasn't the polished businesswoman she knew.

"I...I can't do this."

Victoria's grip tightened. "Too late for second thoughts, darling. We're partners in this now, aren't we?"

The unspoken threat hung between them.

Vanessa's gaze drifted toward Evelyn Carter across the room. After a moment's hesitation, she squared her shoulders.

Upstairs in the VIP lounge, a familiar voice cut through the dim lighting. "Harrison Whitmore gracing my humble establishment? To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Harrison's lips quirked as he bumped fists with Sebastian Montgomery. "Been a while."

"Too long. You've been in Pamore for months without so much as a drink invitation." Sebastian stepped into the light, his smirk fading as he studied his old friend. "What brings you here tonight?"

The two had been inseparable during their university days - Sebastian the charismatic junior to Harrison's intense senior.

Lately, rumors had been swirling through their circle about Harrison abandoning his empire in Frenda for a woman.

Sebastian burned with curiosity about the woman who'd melted the infamous Ice Prince of Frenda.

"Following an invitation," Harrison murmured, teeth grazing his lower lip in a gesture Sebastian recognized from their college days - his tell when something interested him.

"I heard you walked away from Frenda to run some startup," Sebastian pressed. "Let me guess - was the invitation from my future sister-in-law?"

Harrison's rare smile answered before his words did.

Sebastian crowed with delight. "I knew it! The legendary Evelyn Carter is here tonight!"

The mention of "sister-in-law" made Harrison's jaw tighten. They hadn't crossed that line yet. Not officially.

He clapped Sebastian on the shoulder. "Bit premature with the titles, Montgomery. But give it time." The certainty in his voice surprised even himself.

Sebastian's eyebrows shot up. "Wait - you haven't closed the deal yet?"

Harrison cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. "These things take time."

The raw emotion in that simple statement stunned Sebastian. "Damn, Whitmore. You've got it bad."

Harrison's gaze found Evelyn in the crowd below. "I've waited years. What's a little longer?"

He'd wait until Evelyn was ready to let go of her past. Until she could trust him with her heart.

True happiness was worth the bitter wait.

Sebastian followed his gaze, then stiffened. The playful glint in his eyes vanished.