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."

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

Clara was, she was a pathetic waste. "Clara, for every bottle you drink, we'll

for sure, but he knew Clara's drinking habits and was a

she can really put

he could finish, Clara had uncorked the bottle and was smiling

her drunkenly humiliated, so he leaned back, lounging in his seat. "I did say it. Go on, drink. And Clara, don't say I didn't warn you— Simon doesn't

Bradfords favored Quinn;

drank until the bottle was empty. Then she started

smug anticipation turned to discomfort, as if ants were crawling all

bottles. Three million had already been poured out, and no matter

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

a fool of yourself." Clara finished the

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

opened the fifth bottle, and Colton's

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

"If this gentleman can't cover it, maybe the rest of you can chip

used to this kind of humiliation, and his face was red with anger. "Clara, it's antics like these that make Simon despise you. You're nothing compared

glass. "Oh, so you

causing him to panic and instinctively glance

expression shifted, and he shoved Clara. "What nonsense

it up by looking at your buddy's face. Maybe check if he's been fooling