Chapter 22
Cassic stayed in the car, caught by a sudden call from ber Singayeve. She urged me to ground fire to the Eclipse Lounge, the uper we four managed by her cousin
wee
Left on my own, 1 wasn’t sure what the three women wanding near the ER ting, but for eyes mate’s dex] was their target.
“Well, if it in’t Hollywood’s favorite mistress 1 retorted with a calm wide, biking eyes with Maya, “Akin far from your usual Sunset Strip, aren’t your
“You!” Maya’s face flushed with anger as the stomped her for like a shed dish.
Maya might be an actress, but her career had long been overthadowed by sembil dar rental, as one wing another married mogul. Her reputation was in diambles, yet the remained dilitious the Chatte, ber so–called fhead, puppet-
mastered her downfall.
Charlotte thrived on keeping Maya under her thumb, ensuring no one could outline bez
“With all those scandals trailing you, you still have time to party? Daria jabbed with a sarcastic grin “T Les me tell you this: you won’t be able to get in so easily!”
I ignored their petty remarks and turned my attention to the bouncer, who stood a the entrance, arms crossed, hás expression unreadable.
“Hello,” I said coolly, “Your boss invited me?
The bouncer gave me a slow, deliberate once–over before raising an eyebrow,
Maya smirked, clearly relishing the moment. “Oh, please. If you think you have a membership here, dream on Did you really think someone like you belonged here?”
Charlotte’s voice rang out next, laced with mock concern. “Oh, let’s not be so harsh, girls. Isabella, you’ve already terminated your contract with Golden Stage. I understand you might be frustrated, but this is an exclusive bar–members only, I’m afraid.”
“That’s right!” Maya and Daria chorused, nodding like puppets.
1 exhaled slowly, letting their words slide off me. Turning back to the bouncer, I asked plainly, “Do I really need a membership card if your boss personally invited me?”
“If you ask me, you’re only here to seduce rich young ment” Maya added with a sneer.
Daria chimed in, her voice dripping with disdain. “Everyone knows Mr. Monroe’s friends frequent this club. Clearly, you’re fishing for someone to marry!”
I clenched my fists, resisting, the urge to lash out. With all the gossip already tied to my name, another scandal was a risk that couldn’t be taken. Instead, I forced myself to remain calm, even as my annoyance boiled over. The bouncer’s expression
hardened,
“If you’re a friend of my boss, you should have a membership card,” he said coldly, clearly swayed by the trio’s performance.
Before I could respond, Cassie appeared, striding up with her usual confidence. “Why are you still out here? My cousin’s already waiting, for us inside,” she said firmly.
Maya rolled her eyes. “Oh look, another gold–digger! Don’t let them fool you–they’re just here to snag men!”
Cassie slid off her dark sunglasses and fixed Maya with a steely glare. “Excuse me? I don’t need to seduce ugly, broke losers like you do, Ms. Surgery. Who do you think I am?”
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Chapter 22
“M–Me Surgery? Maya stammered, her face twisting with anger.
“Would you prefer bargain mistress instead?” Cassie shot back, her tone laced with sarcasm.
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The bouncer, now clearly annoyed, stepped between them. “Enough, ladies. If you’re here to cause trouble, leave the club. You’re disrupting the other patrons”
Cassie’s irritation flared. It was apparent the bouncer didn’t recognize her, which made sense. She’d been in Singapore for months, and this was her first time appearing at the club.
Unfortunately, Michael, Cassie’s cousin, had stepped outside to smoke. He spotted us immediately. “Why are you still out here?
Cassie shot the bouncer an irritated glare. “They wouldn’t let me in!” she snapped, crossing her arms.
Isabella! I’m so glad you’re here!” Michael’s face lit up, cigarette forgotten between his fingers.
“B–boss, these are your friends?” the bouncer stammered, glancing nervously between us.
“No” Michael cut in, voice sharp as ice. “They’re my family. Why are you making them wait out here?”
The bouncer hesitated, scratching his head. His gaze shifted toward Charlotte and her two companions, who had been arguing with us earlier. Charlotte’s demeanor changed in an instant, her tone becoming sickly sweet.
behind us.
“Cassie, let’s not make a scene,” she said with an overly polite smile. “We’re high school friends, after all. I’m the General Talent Manager at Golden Stage, and your club is filled with potential clients from our company. Let’s put Maya was just being a little. immature”
“What?” Maya exclaimed, outraged. “Why am I the one being blamed?”
A pointed look from Charlotte shut her up.
Casie, unfazed, smirked. “Fine, whatever. The bar’s earnings from the three of you aren’t worth it anyway. Go ahead and head inside, but stay out of our way. Buy your own drinks, keep the drama to yourselves, and most importantly–don’t cause any trouble*
Charlotte’s perfect smile cracked slightly, a muscle twitching in her jaw, but she held her tongue.
Inside, Michael ushered us to the most exclusive VIP room. The elevated view allowed us to see the general area. To my amusement, Charlotte and her friends were tucked into a table near the kitchen, where the clinking of utensils mingled awkwardly with the music.
The night was off to a good start, and Cassie and I enjoyed ourselves until things turned dark.
Unbeknownst to us, Maya had bribed one of the servers. Moments later, our drinks were spiked.
When I regained consciousness, I was in an unfamiliar room. My head pounded, and terror clawed up my throat as I realized I wasn’t alone.
Gabriel was nearby.
My body trembled uncontrollably. What happened after those drinks? Where is Cassie?”
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