Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Outside the club, two burly bodyguards stood by the entrance.

Dalton was about to lead Lydia inside when the guards abruptly blocked their path with their arms.

Dalton's expression turned icy. He shot a cold glare at the guards, his voice sharp. "My uncle asked us here. What's the hold-up?"

The guards, towering and unyielding, spoke with a chill in their voices. "I need to report this inside first."

Annoyed, Dalton was about to lose his cool when Lydia gently lugged on his sleeve.

Sensing Chandler was likely trying to make things difficult for her, she gave the guards a warm, if slightly strained, smile. "It's alright if I wait here. Can you let Dalton go in?" The night air had turned sharply cold after the rain, and the draft at the club's entrance made it even worse.

Lydia, wearing a sleek satin dress, was visibly shivering, her nose reddening from the chill.

The guard was unmoved by her plea and responded firmly, "No."

Dalton's face turned stormy.

Frustrated and without a clear outlet for his anger, he watched the guard disappear into the club, leaving them out in the cold.

Finally, after more than ten minutes, the guard reappeared.

you can go

a warning glare at the guard, but the guard remained impassive, staring straight

the guard was Chandler's man,

Chandler was deep into a card game with Dante and a few others. He didn't even glance up when Dalton and Lydia

keep his tone steady.

in celebration, his loud cheer drowning

His

his arm, silently urging him to stay

cards had just ended, and it had

was time to speak up. "Uncle Chandler, if you have any issues, take them up with me. Don't make things difficult

rang out with a mocking edge. "Oh, look at you, playing the knight in shining armor. You two must have quite the thing going on!" Lydia's face flushed, but she knew better

family was not someone she could afford to cross, even without

and Dante quickly caught the cue. Tossing aside his cards, he wrapped an arm around

great wine stashed here. Let's go check it

clear that Dante was trying to sideline

not wanting to leave Lydia alone with the

this? I'll have the wine brought here so we can enjoy it in

glanced over at Chandler. "Alright,

couch and pointed at Lydia. "Then let your lover