If Hanley''s wife ever found out that someone had kicked her husband''s jewels into oblivion, she''d be out for blood.


    Nita was just an ordinary woman-if trouble came knocking, odds were she''d be the first to get hurt. But Effie was different. She was Lyman''s wife. People ought to be afraid of crossing her.


    Besides, Effie couldn''t exactly wash her hands of what happened. If she hadn''t sted Hanley with the fire extinguisher, he never would have dropped his guard, and Nita wouldn''t have had a clean shot to kick him where it hurt.


    Nita nced at Effie, licking her lips. She understood the offer Effie was making, but did she really want to ept it?


    Yet, in this moment, everyone assumed it was Effie''s fault. That was why they were all so eager to clean up the mess. Nita felt a pang of guilt. Deep down, she knew if they realized she was the one who''d actually done it, their enthusiasm for helping would probably vanish.


    "Let the hotel manager handle things here. Let''s get out of here," Randell said.


    Lyman reached for Effie''s hand and asked gently, "Walk with me for a bit?"


    "Sure."


    Vinson Elliott and Randell watched as Lyman and Effie wandered off, hand in hand, along the beach. Vinson pulled a face. "Lyman''s be so boring since he started dating. Look at him-just strolling around like an old man."


    Randell snorted. "Exactly. What''s so fun about walking? I''d rather y cards."


    "Cards?"


    Nita had just taken a sip of water to calm her nerves, but her interest piqued at the mention of cards.


    "You y cards?" Vinson asked, raising a brow.


    "I didn''t use to, but after I started working, I had to learn everything to schmooze with clients. Poker, rummy, ckjack-you name it, I can y it. So, what''s your game?"


    "Well, look at that—a real pro." Randell and Vinson exchanged a look. Usually, it was just the two of them ying, and they were sick of it. Now, with a new yer, things sounded a lot more interesting.


    "Come on, let''s y."


    "Sure, let me finish my water first," Nita replied.


    Vinson grinned at her. "After all that saltwater you swallowed earlier, you still need a drink?"


    Randell chimed in, deadpan, "You know, seawater''s full of well, let''s just say you get a free protein boost if you''re not careful. Swishing with fresh water is the least you can do."


    "Pfft..."


    Nita just barely swallowed her water before bursting intoughter, nearly spraying it everywhere.


    "Hey! What was that for?" Vinson dodged quickly, saving himself from the spray. Randell wasn''t as lucky. He caught the brunt of it right in the face.


    "Hey, mouthwash! Not bad," Vinson cackled.


    "You want mouthwash? I''ll give you mouthwash!" Randell shot back, grabbing a bottle and spraying water at Vinson.


    Soon the two of them were chasing each other around, acting like a couple of kids.


    Nita watched, half amused, half speechless. Who would''ve guessed these ruthless corporate sharks could be such goofballs in everyday life?


    "Hey, gorgeous! Wait for me I''m gonna change my shirt, then I''ll be back to take you down at cards!" Randell called out, dashing off.


    Vinson rolled his eyes. "Seriously, man, watch your mouth. If Effie hears you, you''re dead."


    "Don''t scare me like that!" Randell shouted over his shoulder, disappearing inside.


    Vinson caught Nita''s gaze lingering on him and eyed her warily.


    "Don''t tell me you''ve fallen for me. Am I really in danger of losing my virtue?" He hugged himself protectively, putting on an exaggerated look of horror.