Vincent's face remained unreadable.
"It wasn't a joke."
Alexa looked up at him anxiously.
"Vincent, I swear I never meant to hurt her. I just wanted to tease her a little." She pouted slightly. "Please believe me."
He simply looked away, clearly unconvinced.
The cold dismissal made Alexa's smile falter.
By now, the whispers surrounding them had only grown louder.
"Isn't that Vincent?"
"He brought Alexa with him."
"So the rumors are true."
"I heard Juliet already broke off their engagement."
"No wonder. Look how close they are."
"They've probably been together for a long time."
Vincent ignored every single comment.
At least outwardly.
But the slight tightening of his jaw betrayed his irritation.
"Well, you've certainly become the hottest topic tonight."
Griffin and Nolan approached from across the ballroom, both dressed in impeccably tailored suits.
Griffin smirked as he stopped beside Vincent and handed him a fresh drink.
"The entire venue is talking about you and Alexa."
Nolan chuckled, shoving one hand casually into his pocket. "You two have been here less than fifteen minutes, and half the guests already think you've officially replaced Juliet."
Vincent let out a quiet scoff.
"People love gossip."
Even as he said it, however, his eyes drifted toward the ballroom entrance.
Then they drifted there again.
And again.
Nolan noticed immediately.
He raised an eyebrow. "Expecting someone?"
Vincent's fingers tightened slightly around his champagne glass before relaxing.
"No."
