Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 713

Someone piped up and glanced over at Richard, who was standing quietly off to the side. “Hey, kid, when did you sneak in? You pop up out of nowhere like a ghost."

Richard just smiled and raised his glass. "It's good to see you all. Thanks for coming all this way."

Most of these guys didn't work in the Capital anymore-some were even retired, living out their days on private islands overseas. So yeah, it really was a long haul for them.

"You caught what we were saying, didn't you? You and Dylan barely show your faces at public events these days, both acting colder by the minute. Just don't end up like the others—don't let a woman come between you."

Plenty of friendships in their circle had crashed and burned over women, turning into gossip for everyone else to snicker about.

Richard gave a small laugh. "You don't need to worry. Dylan will always be my friend."

He said it quietly, staring down into his glass. His lashes fluttered, as if his thoughts drifted somewhere else. Then he glanced up at Dylan. "Right, Dylan?"

Dylan sat there in his wheelchair, silent, only giving a faint nod.

Richard looked away, swirling his drink, his mind elsewhere.

then waved them off. "Alright, we just came to check on Walter. Eighty years old-can you believe it? Time really flies. You two go mingle. And Colin, seriously, you still don't have a woman by your side? At your age? Your granddad's

posted his marriage certificate online. But with the Warren family here tonight, plus the

agreement, nobody

caught Dylan's eye and nodded toward the balcony,

stepped outside. Richard took out a cigarette, lit it, and leaned on the railing.

now, everyone knew-thanks to Simon's photos, all

room.

the patch of ground where that old tree used to stand. The hole was still

else, but

rested his elbow on the railing, cigarette dangling between his fingers. You've been in pretty rough shape tately. Once this party's over, you should get

over at Dylan in his

out a few things. We'll

else stepped onto

was as respectful as always.

Aiden naturally moved to wheel him

them go, then turned back to the garden, cigarette pressed to