Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 83

Audrina thought back to that reception. Zachary had spent the entire night networking, leaving her completely sidelined.

Eventually, her feet had hurt so much she couldn't stand, so she retreated to the balcony to catch some air.

And then, Zachary came to collect her and they left...

Audrina leaned languidly into the plush cushions of the booth. In the dim lighting, her expression was unreadable.

With a faint trace of amusement, she asked, "So, he actually lost a car to you?"

Carter boasted, "The keys are still sitting at my house."

Willow's jaw had been hanging open for a solid minute before she finally managed to choke out, "That's an insane bet..."

"He's got the money to burn," Carter shrugged. "Though I did ask him if it stung to lose a Pagani like that. He said—"

The door to the VIP room pushed open.

Sebastian stood in the doorway, his phone still in hand.

Carter's words abruptly died in his throat.

Audrina picked up her drink and downed it in one smooth motion.

Sebastian walked in and shut the door behind him.

He sat down next to Audrina, poured himself a drink, but didn't take a sip. Leaning back against the sofa, he casually dangled the glass over the armrest.

Then, he lifted his gaze to Carter. "Keep going."

Carter was quick on his feet, instantly masking his guilt.

He had just been having fun and got carried away. Why did he have to bring this up out of nowhere?

He wasn't entirely sure if this was the right time for this conversation...

"Actually," he stood up, grabbing Willow by the arm. "I just remembered I have somewhere to be. We're heading out."

Willow stumbled as he yanked her up. "What are you—"

"Let's go, let's go." Not giving her a chance to argue, Carter practically shoved her toward the door.

Willow shot Audrina a bewildered look over her shoulder.

Before she could process what was happening, Carter dragged her out of the room.

The door clicked shut, and the sound of their bickering and footsteps faded down the hallway.

Her lips curved into a slow, measured smile. "Mr. Hawthorne, how exactly does the value of a Pagani compare to that New Year's Eve fireworks display?"

He lowered his eyes.

How could those two things possibly be the same?

When the fireworks lit up the night sky, all he had wanted was to see his reflection in her eyes.

A Pagani was absolutely meaningless in comparison.

Not waiting for his answer, Audrina let out a hollow laugh. "The Kingshire scene is never short on billionaires who throw money around like it's water. Zachary is one. Carter is one. And apparently, so are you. When it comes to manufacturing a romantic gesture, throwing money at a city-wide fireworks display creates the perfect illusion of a grand, desperate love. You men know better than anyone—girls eat that stuff up, don't they?"

She paused for a beat, draining her glass.

"So I won't deny it. On New Year's Eve, for a brief second—" She set the glass down with a soft clink. "I was genuinely moved."

For a brief second.

Sebastian listened as she listed off her points, one by one, like she was taking inventory.

With every word, she pushed him further and further away, carefully retreating behind a perfectly safe emotional wall.