Callie froze for a moment, realizing Nelson wasn’t there.
She let out a sigh of relief. “Then I’ll leave.”
Bridger grabbed her by the collar and easily pulled her back. “Miss Marsh, don’t you know Nelson’s schedule?”
“How would I know?” Callie blurted out, already agitated and now being questioned.
“Aren’t you married?” Bridger casually threw out.
Callie didn’t care at first, but then she realized what he meant. She widened her eyes in disbelief. “Did Nelson tell you?”
“No, but your reaction just confirmed it,” Bridger said with a mischievous smile, his plan succeeding.
Callie gasped and angrily punched him in the chest. “You tricked me!”
How could he be so nonchalant and yet so devious?
Bridger laughed heartily, hands behind his back. “I’m known as the all-knowing Ylosea. A woman who can make Nelson so nervous that he’d risk losing a future partner’s hand isn’t simple. How can I not care about my good buddy’s feelings?”
Callie felt like a fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others.
“Just a fake marriage…” she muttered softly, still angry.
“Fake?” Bridger leaned in. “Then why are you so worried about Nelson’s safety?”
Callie was at a loss for words, trying to refute but only managing to say, “It’s not! I don’t want to talk to you!”
“Come with me,” Bridger said, turning around.
They entered a private elevator and stopped on the third floor. Bridger led her into a quiet room.
Seeing her worried and scared, Bridger reassured her, “Don’t worry, nothing like last time will happen here. Stay quietly; someone will come for you later.”
Before Callie could ask more, the door closed but wasn’t locked. Bridger had already left.
She wanted to leave too but remembered the bloodshed from last time. Her feet wouldn’t move. In such a chaotic place, she could easily get into trouble alone.
But her determination to come in earlier had been so strong. Callie sat on the sofa, momentarily confused by her own actions.
Nelson’s engagement today wasn’t at Club Paradise but at the home of Mr. Deleon, one of Vankey’s directors.
Cora held a man’s coat in her hands, pacing outside. He had been inside for two hours and hadn’t come out yet.
Mrs. Deleon offered her coffee. “Cora, don’t worry. When men talk business, it’s always complicated. Just wait patiently.”
Cora nodded, her eyes falling on Mrs. Deleon’s wrist adorned with the latest Cartier bracelet, dazzlingly bright.
“Mr. Deleon treats you very well.”
Mrs. Deleon raised an eyebrow and smiled happily. “Really? Is it that obvious?”
Cora smiled back. “Most men abandon their wives after achieving success and find someone new, but Mr. Deleon hasn’t. It seems you know how to manage your husband well.”
“You’re too kind, Cora. He’s just doing what any ordinary man should do; there’s nothing praiseworthy about it,” Mrs. Deleon said gracefully, glancing at the study door. “Mr. Oconnor is also a good man. Doesn’t he have a girlfriend?”
Cora’s eyes darkened. “That’s Mr. Oconnor’s private matter; I wouldn’t know.”
Mrs. Deleon was sharp-eyed. “I think you’re quite suitable. Men like gentle and obedient women, and you excel in that area. Besides, your eyes are full of love when you look at Mr. Oconnor.”
Outsiders could see it clearly, but Nelson couldn’t feel it at all.