Chapter 77


    Had it not been for Booker’s birthday bash, their paths might never have crossed. The high. society


    circles weren’t exactly open for just anyone to stroll into.


    Booker was Tarquin’s go–to guy, his right–hand man, and Zane? Well, Zane tagged along with a


    mutual buddy of Booker’s.


    Zane knew he was punching above his weight ss, but he was cool as a cucumber event when he


    realized Tarquin wasn’t drinking. With a grin that never wavered, he said, ‘Name’s Zane; I’m the current


    manager over at Newsom Group. Been looking forward to meeting. you, Mr. Bradford. Figured I’d take


    a shot and introduce myself today–here’s my card.”


    Zane, with a gulp of courage, fished out his business card and extended it towards Tarquin.


    Tarquin nced at it but didn’t take it immediately.


    Zane’s cheeks red red with embarrassment, scrambling mentally for a graceful exit. Suddenly,


    Tarquin reached out, taking the card.


    Zane blinked, a rush of tion tingling through him as he silently cheered.


    Tarquin inspected the card briefly before sliding it into his pocket. Then, he lifted his ss and clinked it


    on the table before taking a sip.


    Zane, feeling honored, quickly topped off his own ss and downed three drinks in quick session!


    The rest of the guests, ever observant, had pretended to revolve around Booker, but their attention had


    never really left Zane’s interaction with Tarquin. Once they saw Tarquin ept Zane’s card and share a


    drink with him, they swarmed Zane, handing out their own. cards and clinking sses, eager to buddy


    up.


    Total strangers moments ago, now thick as thieves. Such was the pull of Tarquin’s influence. Without


    uttering a word, he could alter someone’s fate.


    What the crowd didn’t know was that Tarquin’s favor towards Zane was all for Elysia’s


    sake.


    Meanwhile, Elysia had already returned to the private lounge.


    Despite her best efforts to mask her agitation, Elliot picked up on her difort.


    “Mommy, what’s wrong?”


    “Nothing, sweetie, why do you ask?” Elysia responded, feigning nonchnce.


    Elliot furrowed his brows, observing her. “Your hair’s a mess, and your hand…why is it


    09:45


    hurt?”


    Only then did Elysia notice the cut on her hand–likely from the ceramic soap dispenser Gage had


    shattered earlier.


    She lied smoothly, “Ran into an old friend, got a little too excited, and identally knocked over the


    soap dispenser in the restroom. It was ceramic, and the shards cut my hand.”


    Emmett pushed forward; concern etched on his face. “Does it hurt, mommy?”


    “Not at all, sweetie. Mommy wouldn’t forget about it if it did.”


    “Let Emmett blow on it; it’ll heal faster,” he offered with childlike sincerity.


    Elysia chuckled, “Thank you, Emmett. That’s very sweet.”


    As she looked down, Elliot noticed the scratches on her neck but chose to stay quiet.


    Blossom, ever the carefree one, hadn’t spotted the marks on Elysia’s neck but did see the injury on her


    hand. She called for the waiter to bring some alcohol and a Band–Aid while asking, “Who got you so


    worked up that you weren’t careful?”


    Elysia replied, “Zane.”


    Blossom expressed surprise. “You ran into Zane?”


    “Yeah, he was here for some schmoozing, and we just happened to bump into each other.” “So that’s


    why you were out for so long. Ran into an old friend, huh? Zane’s made quite a name for himself in


    Jindale City. Mr. Newsom’s getting on in years, and with his daughter Winona, who is not really into the


    family business, it’s all on Zane’s shoulders. It’s only a matter of time before the old man steps down.”


    “Zane’s got talent, always has since our school days. It’s no wonder he caught Winona’s


    eye.”