Chapter 70

The tension between Kayla and Jeremy snapped the second he spoke. Whatever spark had lingered fizzled instantly.

Flustered and clearly annoyed, Kayla muttered,"You've got the wrong idea. I just tripped. That's all.You can let go now."

Jeremy knew he was pushing boundaries, but something about holding her-her warmth,her weight in his arms-made him hesitate.

Every time he touched Kayla, that strange, nagging feeling returned. He had a feeling that she was the woman from that night. But that wasn't possible,was it?

His thoughts were tangled, and for once, he couldn't think straight.

Kayla tried to break free, but his grip didn't loosen.Frustrated, she stomped hard on his foot. The sharp pain made Jeremy flinch, and she took the chance to shove him away and put some distance between them."Don't cross the line!"

As the warmth of her body left his arms, the intensity in Jeremy's eyes faded. He stared at her. "Every time you see me,you panic like a deer in headlights. Why?" Kayla's heart thudded against her ribs, but she kept her tone steady. "Your reputation precedes you. I've heard what kind of man you are-direct, ruthless. In Trark,you hold power. It's only natural to be wary."

It was a decent answer. But something about her explanation was off.

"Well, well. There you are. I went to the hospital,but none of you were there." Dewitt's voice cut through the moment. He strolled in casually, dripping confidence.

He wore a sharp, tailored gray jacket, his hair slicked back with precision, pulling off the look of a smooth operator.

His sudden entrance shattered the tension. Kayla gave him a polite nod.

Jeremy's expression darkened. "What are you doing here?"

Dewitt grinned. "Kayla got hurt because of me. I'm here to apologize properly. I've got a VIP lounge at Nightfall waiting for us. Drinks on me."

Nightfall was Dewitt's pride and joy. The kind of place where money flew like paper and everyone acted like they ruled the world.

Kayla didn't miss a beat. "Thanks, but I'm heading home early tonight."

Dewitt clutched his chest like she'd shot him. "That hurts. Come on, let me make it up to you. I'll get you anything you want. Name it-moon, stars, you got it."

Kayla crossed her arms. "You're laying it on thick. Not buying it."

Jeremy suddenly chimed in, "Dewitt doesn't hand out invites for no reason. He's being serious. If you walk away, it won't look good."

Kayla hesitated. With Jeremy backing Dewitt,refusing again would just come off as rude.

Dewitt clapped his hands. "Great. Car's ready. Let's go."

Kayla followed Dewitt out. Jeremy stayed behind for a moment, his eyes drifting to the piano in the corner of the room.

Edwin stepped up beside him. "Sir, it's strange. That piece Kayla played-hardly anyone knows it. Could mean something."

Jeremy was thinking about how Kayla had avoided his eyes earlier, like she was hiding something.

He turned to Edwin. "Run the check again.Everything about the woman from that night-I want it all."

Edwin blinkedd. "We've already checked. It was Zoe.You want me to keep digging?”

Jeremy's voice stayed calm and steady. "Just keep digging."

The VIP lounge at Nightfall was everything you'd

expect-plush leather seats, flashing lights, shelves full of high-end liquor.

Music thumped through the walls. A couple of women in bunny ears were dancing on stage, trying to catch attention and earn tips.

Dewitt looked completely at home, cracking jokes with a few business buddies while the drinks kept coming without pause.

Kayla sat on the edge of the couch, quietly sipping water. The atmosphere wasn't her thing, and she couldn't wait to leave. Ten more minutes-just enough to be polite-then she was out.

A drunken man stumbled into the room and locked eyes on her, grinning like he'd struck gold. "Hey,beautiful," he slurred. "What's with the water? Come have a drink with me."

Kayla leaned back a bit, the heavy stench of whiskey on his breath making her stomach churn. Forcing a tight smile, she said, "I don't drink."

He laughed and pointed a wobbly finger. "Come on,don't be shy. Just one. Hell, I'll give you a million if you say yes." His eyes slid down her body,stopping at her chest. Kayla's stomach turned. She took a step back."Seriously. I don't drink."

His voice dropped, slimy and aggressive. "You're in a place like this, dressed like that? Stop pretending you're different." Then he grabbed a glass and tried to press it into her hand, the other arm snaking behind her head.

Right then, Jeremy stepped through the door. His expression darkened the second he saw what was happening.

"| said no!" Kayla shouted, shoving the man off her.The glass slipped and shattered on the floor.

The guy's mood shifted fast. "Ungrateful bitch!" He raised his hand to slap her.

But he never got the chance. Jeremy's hand caught his wrist mid-swing. The man gasped,his arm frozen in place, pain flashing across his face.

Jeremy twisted hard and flung him against the wall."Get out."