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.

can go in

casting a warning glare at the guard, but the guard

man, Dalton decided

with Dante and a few others. He didn't even glance up when Dalton and Lydia

Chandler." Dalton greeted, trying to keep his tone steady.

then, Dante won a hand and erupted in celebration,

His mood,

to his arm, silently urging him

just ended, and it had been twenty minutes since

Chandler, if you have any issues, take them up with me.

shining armor. You two must have quite the thing going on!" Lydia's face flushed, but she knew better

to cross, even without the added complication of

quickly caught the cue. Tossing aside his cards, he wrapped an

some great wine stashed here.

that Dante was trying

to leave Lydia

wine brought here so

glanced over at

at Lydia. "Then