Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 11

The room went quiet for a beat before a wave of laughter broke out, dripping with

sarcasm.

"Simon, you really called it this time."

Tonight, Simon hadn't brought Quinn along; instead, he had some new escort hanging on his arm.

The moment Simon spotted Clara, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by a resigned look. He frowned, setting his drink down on the coffee table. "Clara, aren't you tired of this nonsense?"

She'd already made a scene at Moonlight a few times, and now she showed up dressed like the staff. Each appearance seemed to cheapen her more.

Clara bent slightly, picked up the priciest bottle of Château Margaux, and flashed a smile at the crowd. "Who ordered this? Need a hand opening it?"

She had caught their chatter while standing outside the door. A twinge of bitterness tugged at her heart, but as she entered and saw their flashy, nouveau riche airs, it felt like staring at a gold mine. Maybe she'd rake in that hundred grand sooner than expected.

Château Margaux was a cool million a bottle.

None of them were strapped for cash, but they were way more invested in seeing Clara embarrass herself.

Nate's eyes lingered on Clara's figure before he nudged Colton with his elbow. "You gotta admit, she's looking hot."

a stunning girl

matter how stunning Clara was, she was a pathetic waste. "Clara, for every

in. They had money for sure, but he knew Clara's

can really

the bottle and was smiling at everyone. "Alright, you

drink. And Clara, don't say I didn't warn you— Simon doesn't like you. Everyone here hates you. If you get wasted and make the front page tomorrow, no one's gonna pull

Quinn; Clara was just unwanted

the brim, and drank until the bottle was empty. Then she started on the second, and the

as if ants were crawling

tackle several more bottles. Three million had already been poured out, and no matter how wealthy they were, this

tense silence. Someone, anxious that Colton couldn't handle

of yourself." Clara finished the fourth bottle, then smiled at

are you kidding? Tonight's all about Simon, right? Though you did make sure everyone will remember

opened the fifth bottle, and Colton's face darkened with

up, grabbing Clara's wrist. "That's enough, stop

held her wine glass, her eyes landing on Colton. "If this gentleman can't cover it, maybe the rest of you can chip

of humiliation, and his face was red with anger. "Clara, it's antics like these

last glass. "Oh, so you have a thing for

out, causing him to panic

shifted, and he shoved

your buddy's face.