Lynette lowered herself onto the a couch, crossing one leg over the other as she fixed her gaze on Kevin Gael.
"I'm impolite for not asking to sit first, and I'm not sorry for it… my Gael," she said calmly.
Kevin let out a low chuckle, his eyes shower that he was amused,then he traced his eyes on her from head to toe. "I didn't expect you to show up in something this sexy. Do you care for a drink?" he asked with a subtle lift of his brow.
She glanced at him, then deliberately looked away. "Don't overthink this, Mr. Gael. I have somewhere else to be, and I'm not in the mood for drinks. Let's get this over with."
Without waiting for a response, she rose from the couch and walked slowly toward him, her heels clicking with every step. Her eyes didn't waver as she studied him.
"I found out about Arian," she said, her voice steady. "And something tells me you already knew."
She paused, then continue. "It's not a crime to come from a poor family. If he chose to hide his background, that's his choice—not mine, and certainly not yours. I married him, not his past, not his family."
Kevin nodded slowly. "Young Mrs. Daelan."
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Let me make something clear, Mr. Gael. Don't ever summon me like this again. The moment I walk out that door, I'm blocking your number. If we cross paths again, it will only be for business. Nothing more. We're not friends."
She turned her back to him, her figure poised as she began to walk toward the door.
Without looking over her shoulder, she added coldly, "And stop referring to me as someone else. I am the Lynette Daelan. "
Her heels echoed sharply through the room as she walked away.
Behind her, Kevin's lips curled into a smile. "Don't worry, young Mrs. Daelan," he called after her. "You'll be walking back through that door very soon."
Just before opening the door, Lynette cast one last glance over her shoulder, locking eyes with Kevin Gael. Without another word, she opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.
The moment she exited the room, her eyes landed on a man standing just outside, near the guards stationed at Kevin Gael's door. He looked sharp—brown hair neatly styled, his suit impeccably tailored. In his hands, he held a large rectangular envelope.
He smiled politely as he stepped toward her. "Good evening, young Mrs. Daelan. This is for you," he said, holding out the envelope. "I think it's best if you open it now."
Lynette blinked, confused. She didn't recognize him.
Still, she accepted the envelope cautiously. "Thank you," she said quietly, but didn't open it. Her mind was too clouded with unease to process anything else.
I just need to get out of here.
She walked briskly down the hallway, heels echoing with urgency.She wanted to put as much distance between herself and Kevin Gael as possible.
As she entered the elevator, she pulled out her phone. Her thumb hovered for a moment, then decisively blocked Kevin's number. Immediately after, she noticed a stream of messages about the money Daniella had requested earlier—from her.
She had forgotten all about it in the chaos of the evening.
With a sigh, she transferred the funds quickly, relieved to be done with it.
The elevator chimed and opened onto the ground floor. She walked straight out of the hotel without a glance at anyone around her. One of her bodyguards spotted her immediately and moved to open the car door.
She slid into the back seat, exhaling a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. As the door shut behind her, she spoke to the driver in a firm, clear tone:
"Azelea the Empress."
"Yes, ma'am," the driver replied, and the car smoothly pulled away from the hotel.
******
Lynette arrived at Azelea the Empress, and the club was just as extravagant as the rumors claimed. The building stretched wide with architectural elegance, glowing under the city lights like a jewel in the dark.
Outside, a line of hopeful patrons waited—some arguing, others pleading—but the bouncers remained unmoved. Only those with a subscription card were allowed through. Everyone else had to pay a hefty fee, and even that didn't guarantee entry. This wasn't just a club—it was a fortress of status. If you weren't rich or powerful, you didn't belong.
Above the entrance, a massive sign glowed in a rhythmic pulse: ATE—each letter lit in golden luminescence, matching the beat of the music thumping from inside.
Lynette glanced at her watch: 11:45 PM.
She frowned slightly, unsure of where Azelea might be within the maze of luxury floors. Pulling out her phone, she dialed her.
The call barely rang before Azelea answered, her voice unmistakably loud and playful.
"Memory-loss bitch! I knew you'd forget the floor!" she scolded teasingly. "I was this close to dragging you by the ear tomorrow morning if you ditched me. Stay where you are—I'm coming down. You've definitely forgotten how to find the VVIP lounge."
Before Lynette could respond, the call ended with a cheerful click.
The driver turned to her. "Ma'am, should I open the door?"
"Yes," Lynette replied.
He quickly stepped out and opened her door. Lynette emerged, removing the scarf and tossing it onto the seat before stepping onto the pavement.
Whispers immediately rippled through the crowd.
"Is that Lynette Daelan?"
"She's really back… I saw her on the livestream earlier in the day."
"She looks even better in person."
Her bodyguards subtly closed in around her, forming a protective but discreet perimeter.
"Let's go inside," she said calmly to them. "It'll make it easier for Azelea to find us."
And with that, she strode forward, past the stunned onlookers and velvet ropes.
Just before they stepped inside, one of the bouncers reached out, preparing to perform the standard routine check.
"That's Lynette Daelan," the other bouncer quickly interjected, flashing a polite smile. "There's no need to check her membership card."
He gave her a respectful nod. "Welcome, Young Mrs. Daelan. Please forgive him—he's new."
Lynette found the exchange amusing. A slight smile tugged at her lips.
"No offense taken," she replied.
"You're just doing your job. Keep up the good work."
With that, she walked in, her bodyguards following a step behind.
The interior burst into life. Music pulsed through the air, lights danced in every direction, and the atmosphere throbbed with energy. Lynette tilted her head upward, surprised to see the ceiling open to the night sky.
"A retractable roof? "she mused. "Impressive."
She'd never really experienced this side of life. Through high school and college, she'd buried herself in responsibilities. Even afterward, she rarely made time for anything resembling nightlife. But tonight? Tonight she was reclaiming her time.
"Lynette, always looking sexy," a voice called out.
She turned to see a man approaching, all confidence and charm.
"You look hot yourself," she said without thinking. "If I weren't married, I might've had some fun with you tonight."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she froze, realizing what she'd said. Too late.
The guy smirked. "Nothing should stop you, beautiful princess."
He pulled out his phone, tapping quickly. "Mind if we take a picture?"
Lynette gave a casual shrug. "Sure—no harm in a selfie."
He stepped close and snapped a picture of them both.
"Yoo, bitch!" Azelea's unmistakable voice rang out from behind, playful and dramatic. "You're meeting hot guys without me?"
She sauntered over, all glitter and confidence. "Damn, you're looking sexy as always, Lynette. Let's make this a group shot."
They posed together with the guy, who seemed overwhelmed by the moment.
"With Lynette Daelan and Azelea in one frame? This night's legendary! Is this a buy one, get one free kind of thing?" he laughed, clearly joking.
Then he turned to Azelea with hopeful eyes. "Speaking of… think you could swing me a discount on my next subscription—?"
He didn't finish.
"Walk away, stranger," Azelea said sweetly with a fake smile.
He laughed nervously and disappeared into the crowd.
"Now," Azelea turned to Lynette with a wide grin. "Let's have some damn fun tonight!"
But then, her gaze flicked to Lynette's hand—and her expression shifted.
"Wait... what is that?"
Lynette followed her eyes—and her own widened in alarm.