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."

Clara, and Simon never stepped in. Having a stunning girl cause a ruckus over him was a badge of

she was a pathetic waste.

to jump in. They had money for sure, but he knew Clara's drinking habits and was a bit skeptical about

she can really put

uncorked the bottle and was

Go on, 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

knew the Bradfords favored Quinn; Clara was

until the bottle was empty. Then

discomfort, as if ants were crawling all

as if she could tackle several more bottles. Three million had already been poured out, and

buzz turned to tense silence. Someone, anxious that Colton couldn't

frowned, glaring at Clara. "Enough, Clara, stop making a fool of yourself." Clara finished the fourth bottle, then smiled at him. "And who

the room. "Who are you kidding? Tonight's all about Simon,

opened the fifth bottle, and Colton's face darkened

stood up, grabbing Clara's wrist. "That's enough, stop before you really

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

face was red with anger. "Clara, it's antics like these that make Simon despise you. You're nothing compared

last glass. "Oh, so you have

to panic and

expression shifted, and he shoved

not making it up by looking at your buddy's face. Maybe