months

tside the glittering club, its polished s

, her eyes lingered on the grand entrance, a

gala was underway, drawing in the wealthie

er and sharp, tugging a sarca

gtime butler, hurried forward with quick precision, flanked on both side

and gave him a faint, co

e said, moving ahead while those bodyguards f

hey bypassed the main hall and s

, but their absence did little to lessen the attent

pt into a sleek ponytail, Brinley radiated conf

ippled throug

whispered, awe and curiosity

ce when did the Knight family's gat

er cheating. It was a whole spectacle. How does

he Shaw family's eye, but they've cut her off completely.

ugh the hall and drifted to Bri

led the appetizers with calm detachment. Her ser

le pack was Renee Dale, da

s of wine poised in her hand, she swept towa

aw. All by yourself tonight? Where's Mr. Palmer? Oh, that's right-I heard the two of you

ght. No offense, Brinley, but do you really think showing up here will win Mr. Palmer

stirred the crowd furt

enough to meet Renee and her

d with steel. "My affairs, however, aren't open for your judgment. And as for why I'm here..." Her lips

high horse! Everyone knows about your scandal. How dare you show your

her chin ever so slightly, her tone laced with irony. "Instead of wasting your time on me, perhaps you sho

cheeks. "What are you talking a

lied evenly, "Don't play dumb.

icate pastry from the tray and taking a slow, unhurried bi

rsation with a man, one arm draped

gaze locking on a figure he could never mistake. A jolt ran

e strode straight toward Brinley

voice faltered, h

landed on Brinley not far away, an