Each whisper landed like a slap across Vincent's face.
The hand holding his champagne glass tightened.
Then tightened even more.
By the time the couple disappeared further into the crowd, the veins in the back of Vincent's hand had become visible.
"What the hell is this?" he demanded harshly, his eyes never leaving them.
Griffin frowned.
"I don't know."
Vincent let out a humorless laugh and dragged a hand roughly through his hair.
"I knew something was wrong," he said through clenched teeth. "First she's staying at his house, and now this?"
The image of Juliet sitting comfortably in Cassian's living room flashed through his mind again.
Rage surged through him so violently that he nearly crushed the crystal glass in his hand.
Nolan quickly stepped closer.
"Relax," he said quietly. "Maybe this isn't what it looks like."
Vincent turned sharply toward him.
"Really?" he snapped. "You saw him kiss her."
Nolan lifted both hands placatingly.
"I'm just saying... think about it. Juliet has been obsessed with you for years. Maybe she's only doing this to make you jealous."
Griffin nodded immediately.
"Exactly. Since when has Juliet ever shown this much affection in public?" he said, glancing toward the couple. "This feels deliberate."
"She's definitely putting on a show," Griffin continued confidently. "Otherwise why choose tonight, of all nights, to suddenly act so intimate with Cassian in front of everyone?"
Alexa had remained unusually quiet throughout the entire exchange.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Juliet.
On Cassian's hand resting securely against Juliet's waist.
On the tenderness in his expression whenever he looked at her.
A strange feeling twisted inside her chest.
‘How did this happen?’
Cassian Han.
One of the wealthiest, most powerful bachelors in the country.
How had Juliet managed to get close to a man like him?
Had she somehow seduced him?
