My instincts prickle. Something's wrong. Something happened in those ten minutes, and I don't know what.
Before I can press further, she turns to Marcus.
"Marcus." Her smile is radiant. Deadly. "I've been wanting to ask you something all evening."
He looks up from his wine, surprised and flattered to have her attention. "Of course. Anything."
"How long have you and Phoenix been planning this dinner?"
It seems like an innocent simple question. But the way she asks it makes my spine stiffen.
"Oh, months," Marcus says, settling into the familiar territory of logistics. "You wouldn't believe the coordination involved. Schedules, venue?—"
"And when did you decide Phoenix needed a girlfriend for it?"
The table goes silent.
Marcus freezes, his wine glass suspended halfway to his lips.
"I'm sorry?" he manages.
"A girlfriend." Jade's smile doesn't waver. If anything, it grows sweeter. More dangerous. "For the optics. That's what you called it, right? 'Phoenix really came through. A month ago he didn't even have a girlfriend—now look at us. The optics are perfect.'"
My blood turns to ice.
Marcus sets down his glass with exaggerated care. "I'm not sure what you?—"
"I overheard you in the hallway." She tilts her head, dark hair spilling over her shoulder. "On your phone. You sounded so pleased. So I'm curious—was this always the plan? Find Phoenix a woman to trot out for investors? Make him look stable and settled?"
The investors exchange glances. Ellen Teo’s eyebrows have climbed toward her hairline. Richard is frowning, his gaze moving between Jade and me.
"Jade." My voice is low, controlled. "Let's discuss this later."
She turns to me, and for a moment I see the full depth of her fury. It’s banked like coals, ready to ignite.
"Oh, I think we should discuss it now." She addresses the table, her voice carrying effortlessly. "Since everyone here seems to be in on the joke except me."
"There's no joke," Marcus tries. "You misheard?—"
"Did I?" She laughs softly. "The timing is just coincidence?"
The silence is suffocating.
"I have to say, I'm impressed." Jade picks up her wine glass, swirling the burgundy liquid with casual elegance. "The dress.The diamonds. Parading me around like a show pony. You really thought of everything."
"Jade—" I reach for her hand.
She pulls away. "Don't."
The single word is sharp enough to cut glass.
Richard Teo clears his throat. "Perhaps we should?—"
"Oh, please stay." Jade's smile is all teeth now. "I'm sure you're all very interested in Phoenix's investment strategies. Tell me, is acquiring women like acquiring companies? Due diligence, cost-benefit analysis, return on investment?"
"That's enough." My voice comes out harder than I intended.
"Is it?" She meets my eyes, and what I see there makes my stomach drop. Not just anger. Not just hurt.
