Revenge of The Furtive Billionaire Heir by Ryker Helios

48. Lowdown Bar.

“I regret that I was not there with you,” Gerald says after we track him down at the banquet, conversing with a group of executives from a company located in Wisconsin. He had been accosted by them to engage in conversation as they were old friends, so he could not follow us when we met Carlton Collins. I felt bad when the fond expression on his face morphed into a frown as soon as we mentioned who we met just minutes ago, “I trust that he was polite with you?”

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“Oh, yes, he was,” Coraline provides, “he was apologetic as well for crashing into Jace. But the fact remains, he is Aiden’s father, isn’t he?”

Gerald shoots her a look of surprise, “did you not recognize him?”

Coraline blushes again, “we were never introduced to one another.”

Gerald nods in understanding and doesn’t ask further questions. I feel grateful for his wisdom.

“I have to admit, I haven’t seen him around for a while, not since the allegations against his son came out,” Gerald states. “If I had a guess, I would say Carlton was embarrassed about his son’s conduct. And furious. Somewhere in between.”

“How long have you known him?” I ask, curious.

Gerald’s lips tighten, and some sort of an expression that I can’t place flashes through his face.

“Long enough,” he utters, and shakes his head, “well, no harm was done, so there’s no need to worry about it further. As long as he steers clear of us, we will avoid him in return. Don’t think he’ll seek us out on purpose.”

so the banquet continues. As Gerald had predicted, Carlton Collins does not seek

the time as six in the evening. I peel the suit off my body, and for the first time in the day, feel freedom. Business events are just so tedious, I can’t believe this is going to be my life for the forcible future. I feel too restless and too nervous. This has got nothing to do with meeting Carlton, I’ve been feeling jittery for a while now. I wonder if it has got something to do with the shootings. Briefly, I wonder if any more of those had taken place back home. I also wonder if the detectives had managed to find some

as I

are you there?” Coraline’s voice comes.

going to

I assume that she returns to her room. I continue

feel like a new man. After getting dressed in some loungewear, I make my way to Coraline’s room and

says, “Oh, are you going to settle in for

was the plan, yes,” I reply, “why did you want to

her lower lip. “Yeah, actually. I wanted to see if we could hit a bar. There’s a cool one here at the hotel, but I

not to let my face screw up at the mention of a bar, “I

she widens her eyes at me, reminiscent of a puppy, and pouts. I narrow my eyes at her, she knows exactly what she is doing. Dammit, that expression is too hard to say no to. “The incident this afternoon shook me up too much. I really need to

can cunt on.”

“Coraline…”

Jace, you don’t even have to drink or anything. Just come with me. I just need to let go of the steam and,” she lowers her voice, “I haven’t been able to do that in Clandestine city after the

fine. Let’s go.

her face. “You’re the best,

in a sparkly blue cocktail dress, bouncing down the street to an establishment that advertises itself as the ‘Lowdown Bar’. The city of New York is as busy as ever, and I’m absolutely floored by the noise and flurry of activity here. So many people milling around, going on with their lives, each so unique yet so uniform in their energy. So many billboards wink and so many stores advertise their goods. Music comes from the nightclub at the side of the road, and