Selena came to a sudden halt, her eyes darting toward the sound.


    At the end of the hallway, Everett was leaning nonchntly against the wall. The warm, golden glow of the sconce above him cast a soft light over his striking features. He held a wine ss in his long fingers, swirling it with a casual grace. His whole demeanor was rxed and undeniably captivating.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Jaime stood across from him, watching with keen interest, waiting for Everett to speak. Jaime had a knack for sniffing out juicy gossip, especially when Everett was involved.


    Selena noticed the slight curve of Everett''s lips, a silent acknowledgment as he clinked sses with Jaime.


    Jaime, being a fellow man, got the unspoken message. He chuckled, admiration evident in his eyes. "Everett, I never would''ve guessed... Your business cunning is one thing, but your way with women is another level. Even I, who''s been around the block, have to admit defeat!"


    Everett took a leisurely sip of his wine.


    He could do certain things but it all depended on whether he chose to. Selena was the target he had set his sights on, and he was more than willing to use any means necessary to keep her close. Jaime, maybe picking up on Everett''s thoughts, shook his head in awe, thinking to himself: ''This guy is sneaky.''


    For him, love was a matter of mutual consent. But in Everett''s mind, what he desired had to be his, and he''d do whatever it took to keep someone tied to him, though he''d never offer genuine emotions. If a girl was after his looks or his money, it was a win-win situation. But if she wanted his heart, well, that was just unfortunate.


    And poor Selena was after his heart.


    Jaime lit up a cigarette, took a drag,


    and, remembering something, added, "I heard Margot came to see youst night, and then you let. Wendygo. Aren''t you worried wife might find out and stir up trouble at home?"


    Running several entertainment spots meant Jaime had a vast and efficient informationwork. He''d been the one to dig up the dirt on Jimmy as well.


    ording to Everett''s orders, Wendy was supposed to be on a ne today and never set foot in Newport again, but an early morning call had changed those ns. Everett''s gaze dropped to his wine ss, his dark eyes giving nothing away. After a moment, he spoke, his voicezy and assured, "She won''t find out."


    "But in this world, secrets don''t stay hidden for long," Jaime teased.


    Everett''s lips curled into a mysterious smile, "Even if she does, what can she do?" His tone was dripping with irony.


    Jaime was at a loss for words.


    Indeed, what could Selena do if she


    found out? She couldn''t go against a man as powerful and influential Everett, If he chose not to let go,


    she''d be trapped in his gras go?


    forever.


    That was the power Everett wielded, the very reason men like him were so audaciously confident.


    Selena was already crying, her hand mped over her mouth to stifle any sound. She couldn''t bear to hear any more and turned to leave, only to collide with a solid chest. In a daze, she looked up and found Callum''s gentle eyes gazing back at her.


    Callum nced toward the scene, then decisively led Selena away. "Do you want me to take you home?" Callum asked. It wasn''t the right ce or time for her to stay, not with so many eyes and ears around. Selena wiped her tears, took a few deep breaths to steady herself, and shook her head softly, her voice raspy. "No, I don''t want to go back..."


    She couldn''t bring herself to even say the word "home."


    Moon Bay wasn''t a home to her; it was just a gilded cage.