Chapter 1328:

Stepping out of the Peak Hotel, Elena immediately spotted the luxury car waiting for her at the entrance.

She slipped inside, barely settling into the seat before strong arms pulled her in close.

The familiar cedar scent filled the air. Looking up, she locked eyes with Wesley. He didn’t waste time with small talk. “So, how many guys do you have lined up as close friends?” he teased.

Elena rolled her eyes. “Really, Wesley? You’re jealous about that?”

Instead of arguing, Wesley leaned in and nipped at her ear with playful annoyance.

His breath was warm against her skin, making her shiver. Instinctively, Elena recoiled, gently shoving him away. “Cut it out, Wesley,” she scolded, rubbing her ear with a frown.

But Wesley didn’t look the least bit remorseful. He only relented for now because he knew perfectly well she secretly liked his antics. His gaze turned intense as he fixed his eyes on her. “You’ve ignored me for two days, Elena. Don’t you think you owe me some time?”

Elena could only stare at him in disbelief. It wasn’t as if she’d vanished for years. Was he always this starved for attention?

Though she tried to brush him off, his gentle persistence wore her down, and eventually she let herself be whisked to his place.

The city was just waking up to the night, and for plenty of people, the excitement was only beginning.

At Empire, fresh from her return to the city’s neon buzz after weeks by the sea, Cathy had planned a night out with her friends.

Inside the plush private lounge, glamorous women mingled with sharply dressed men—some bold, some charming—all laughing over their cocktails.

The most captivating man in the group poured a drink for Cathy, his eyes never leaving hers. “Thought you’d forgotten about us, Cathy. It’s been ages since you came out,” he teased, holding the glass to her lips.

Cathy hesitated and then coolly pushed his hand aside. A splash of liquor jumped from the glass, landing on her.

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He froze, momentarily lost for words. “Cathy?”

The others, sensing the awkwardness, immediately started ribbing him, laughter bubbling around the room.

“It’s been forever since Cathy joined us. If you can’t keep her entertained, you’re off our list,” someone teased the young man with a wink.

“Tonight’s for Cathy. If she’s bored, you can forget about that tip,” another chimed in, grinning.

Their comments spurred the young man to drain half his wine in one gulp and then lean toward Cathy with a dramatic pout, earning a chorus of whistles and laughter from the group.

Cathy, though, was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of nausea. She shot to her feet. “Excuse me, I need the restroom,” she muttered, making a quick escape.

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