As Hogan seemed ready to bolt after them, Dorian stepped in, grabbing his arm.


    "Let it go, Hogan. It''s not the ce for a younger brother to meddle in his older brother''s business."


    "Dorian, how can you say that?" Hogan fumed, "My sister-inw is pregnant with his baby. Isn''t this like cheating on her during pregnancy? How can he do such a thing?"


    "Cheating during pregnancy?" Dorian smirked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Are you saying he and Liliana are officially a couple?"


    "Of course they are!" Hogan eximed, "They''re expecting a child together. How could they not be?"


    Dorian''s expression turned steely andmanding in its coolness. "Tell me, has Finnian ever openly acknowledged Liliana as his partner?"


    That single question left Hogan speechless, his face clouding over, unable to muster a response.


    Dorian gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, his tone softening slightly. "Come on, let it go. Just enjoy your drink. Finnian''s a grown man; he knows what he''s doing."


    With that, Dorian guided Hogan back. But as Hogan settled down, something clicked in his mind. He suddenly leaped up, startling the girl who had been trying to cozy up to him.


    "No way! I need to find Liliana!" he dered, gritting his teeth as he stormed out without a backward nce.


    Dorian watched him go, furrowing his brow before shaking his head and returning to his drink.


    Hogan had driven himself there, but since he''d been drinking, he couldn''t drive back. He called for a driver from the Everly family to take him to Liliana''s apartment.


    A few minutester, Hogan and Liliana were seated in the back seat of the car. Hogan looked worried, and Liliana''s expression was even more troubled.


    "Take us to the hotel next to YogLo Club," Hogan instructed the driver. "They should be there."


    "Yes, Mr. Everly," the driver responded deferentially.


    As the car started moving, Hogan turned to Liliana. "Don''t worry, Liliana. I trust Finnian. He wouldn''t do anything to hurt you."


    Liliana forced a smile, whispering, "I''m fine," but turned away, her lips tense and thin.


    She clenched her dress tightly,


    almost biting down hard enough to crack her teeth. She had been wary of Amara, but this situation


    blindsided her, leaving her feeling


    utterly defeated.


    As she watched the scenery blur past the window, a shadow crept into her eyes.


    The car pulled up to the hotel Hogan had mentioned, and they hurried to the front desk. Hogan demanded,


    "Did the Everly Group''s presidentet


    Finnian Everly check in here with a woman about half an hour ago? I need their room number."


    "I''m sorry, sir. We haven''t registered Mr. Finnian Everly, and we cannot disclose any guest information..."


    Growing impatient, Hogan pped a card down on the desk, interrupting the receptionist.


    "I''m Finnian''s brother. Give me the room number this instant."


    The card was his identification as direct


    escendant of the Everly


    family.


    The receptionist nced at it, rface paling slightly.


    "Mr. Hogan Everly, we truly can''t disclose guest information. I hope you understand."


    Though Hogan held a respected status, Finnian''s was even higher. They couldn''t just hand out information about his whereabouts.


    Hogan was beside himself with frustration. How could this young receptionist be so infuriatingly stubborn?