Laughter spilled out of the private room as the dinner party wound down. James had already called to book a VIP suite at a nightclub, nning to continue drinking with Lanny elsewhere.


    He still hadn''t secured the funding for the project, making the promised billions feel like a mirage. Yet, he''d already blown nearly ten million at The Crystal Room tonight. If they didn''t leave soon, they''d be fleeced for even more.


    Meanwhile, Hawthorne was about to take Patti back to her apartment when Hans came rushing over, nearly colliding with them.


    "What is it?” Hawthorne asked, noting Hans''s obvious panic.


    Hans nced nervously at Patti before leaning in to whisper in Hawthorne''s ear. "Mr. Everhart, Ms. Everhart is here. She''s about to walk in. I tried to stall her, but I was afraid she''d see me, so I rushed over to warn you."


    He had no idea how Gwh had managed to show up here, of all ces, and she was heading straight for The Crystal Room. It was as if she knew Hawthorne was here and hade specifically to find him.


    Hawthorne''s expression darkened. Why would Gwhe now? James and Lanny were still inside, and Patti was right here with him.


    Patti, however, had overheard the entire exchange between Hans and Hawthorne, and a faint, knowing smile touched her lips. She had been wondering why Gwh had been so quiet all day. It turned out she was just feigningposure.


    First, she''d shown up at the apartment and made a fool of herself, and now she was chasing him to a restaurant. Her appearance was sure to ruin the borate scheme Hawthorne had been carefully constructing for so long. Patti was certain that regardless of whether Gwh seeded, she would only earn Hawthorne''s disgust.


    How did a woman with a brain like that even be a wealthy socialite? All she ever thought about was love and romance, without a shred of cunning.


    "Hawthorne, maybe I shouldn''t be here," Patti said, feigning concern. "I should probably make myself scarce, just to avoid any misunderstandings with Mrs. Everhart."


    Hawthorne agreed. He was just about to ask Hans to escort Patti away when the voices of Lanny and James echoed from behind them.


    "Mr. Everhart," Lanny called out, "Mr. Pierce and I are heading to a nightclub for some fun. Would you care to join us?"


    James stopped mid-sentence as he spotted Patti, then yfully pped his own mouth. “Oh, my apologies. Ipletely forgot that Mr. Everhart''s wife was here.”


    Hawthorne''s arm was still around Patti''s waist. He''d been about to release her, but with James present, he had to keep up the act. While in the private room, James had e referred to Patti as his girlfriend, but now he was calling her Hawthorne''s wife. Hawthornes brow furrowed slightly just as he realized Gwh had arrived and was standing right in front of them.


    Lanny, though drunk, was sober enough to grasp the situation immediately, and James, of course knew exactly what was happening. But James yed dumb. He was still furious about being duped by Hawthorne into spending a fortune on a single night''s entertainment. Now that an opportunity for payback had presented itself, he was more than happy to add fuel to the fire and watch Hawthorne squirm.


    The three of them-Gwh, Patti, and Hawthorne-stood face to face. Gwh''s gaze was fixed on Hawthorne''s hand, which was wrapped tightly around Patti''s waist. Hawthorne desperately wanted to let go, but with James watching him like a hawk, he forced himself to stay still.


    "What are you doing here?" Hawthorne demanded, forcing a cold, hard edge into his voice.


    Ever since they had met, she had never heard him use such a harsh tone, except for the very first time when he was worried about Leonie being with a stranger. But they had been strangers then; now they were husband and wife. Hawthorne had repeatedly sworn to her that there was nothing between him and Patti, treating her with nothing but affection. After she discovered his deceptions, he''d showered her with gifts and concern, trying to win her back. She had clung to the hope that he had his reasons, and he had encouraged her to understand.


    But her phone kept buzzing with messages from Patti-texts and pictures documenting their dates. Patti had stopped just short of sending them a sex tape.


    Tonight, Gwh was determined to confront Patti face-to-face and tell her to stop the harassment. Whatever they did was none of her business. They could unt their affair anywhere they liked, but she wouldn''t let them parade it in front of her. Didn''t they feel disgusted with themselves?