Chapter 24: Paige Lawson Hurried After Him

"Grant, wait for me—" Paige Lawson hurried after him, her stilettos clicking sharply against the polished floor.

Outside the exit gate, Sloane Bennett paced anxiously. News of the amusement ride malfunction that nearly caused a fire had her stomping her feet in frustration. If not for the staff blocking the way, she would've rushed in to search for her friend.

Half an hour later, Clara Whitmore finally emerged.

"You scared me to death!" Sloane grabbed her arm. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Clara patted her hand. "Just a bit tired. Let's head back."

Just as Sloane was about to agree, her eyes widened. "Isn't that Grant Holloway?"

Grant and Paige walked out side by side, chatting and laughing.

"What terrible luck," Sloane muttered, rolling her eyes.

Clara gave them a passing glance. "Just a coincidence. Let's go."

On the drive back, Sloane grew angrier by the minute. Suddenly, she made a sharp U-turn.

"Where are we going?" Clara gripped the seatbelt as the car lurched.

"Taking you somewhere fun!" Sloane gritted her teeth. "Decent men are everywhere!"

* * *

8 PM, neon lights flickered to life.

Clara let Sloane drag her into an upscale bar. Deafening music pulsed through the air as multicolored lights swept over the packed dance floor.

Her simple white tee and jeans starkly contrasted with the heavily made-up girls around her.

In a VIP booth upstairs, Sloane boldly ordered a bottle of whiskey. Clara settled for a low-proof cocktail, her cheeks already flushed after a few sips.

"I need the restroom." She stood, her steps slightly unsteady.

At the restroom entrance, she bumped into Connor Hayes.

"What a coincidence." Clara nodded politely.

Connor's eyes lit up. "Here alone?"

"With a friend." She instinctively took half a step back.

"Grant didn't come?"

At the name, Clara's smile froze. "We broke up."

"For real?" Connor studied her with a meaningful look.

"Do people fake breakups?" She turned to leave.

"Clara." He suddenly called after her.

The overly familiar nickname made her skin crawl. "Something else?"

Connor stared at her flushed cheeks for a beat before smiling. "Nothing. Have fun."

Once she was out of sight, he pulled out his phone and snapped a photo of her retreating figure, casually sending it to their group chat.

[Photo]

[Guess who I just ran into]

Mason Reed replied instantly:

[No way! Clara?]

Julian Cross:

[At Halcyon?]

Mason:

[Definitely! I'd recognize that backdrop anywhere]

Connor:

[@Grant Holloway Playing dead?]