Juliet blinked.
"Then I'll come get you."
Before Juliet could respond, the call ended.
Back in the VIP section, Cassian slowly lowered the phone from his ear.
Yet he didn't move.
His gaze remained fixed on the dark screen long after the call had disconnected. The expression on his face was unreadable.
Nearby, Xavier watched the entire exchange. A knowing look crossed his face. Then he let out a dry laugh.
"So she's asking you to go have drinks with her?"
Cassian remained silent.
Xavier folded his arms across his chest.
His expression immediately darkened.
"The last time you went drinking alone with her at a party, she handed you something that made you sick for three days."
His voice carried obvious irritation.
"All because she wanted that bastard boyfriend of hers to win an auction."
Cassian's jaw tightened slightly. The subtle reaction didn't escape Xavier.
"You haven't forgotten that, have you?"
Cassian said nothing.
Xavier sighed heavily before continuing.
"I honestly don't know how many times she's manipulated you over the years."
His eyes narrowed.
"But every single time she asks for something..."
A frustrated laugh escaped him.
"You give in." He shook his head. "No matter what she does to you."
Cassian didn't answer immediately. A faint frown appeared between his brows as he shot Xavier a warning look.
"Drop it."
His voice remained calm and controlled, but there was enough threat beneath the surface to make most people immediately back off. Unfortunately for him, Xavier wasn't most people. Leaning casually against the railing overlooking the ballroom below, Xavier folded his arms across his chest and smirked, completely unfazed.
"So are you going to go?"
Cassian remained silent, his jaw tightening slightly as he looked away toward the crowd below. The lack of an answer only made Xavier's grin widen.
"She asked you to come meet her."
"No."
