Chapter 5
The night Declan returned, there was a charity gala within their social circle. Sloane had to attend
as well.
Before heading to the venue, their Rolls–Royce made a stop at a styling lounge.
Declan stepped out of the car to invite Vivienne personally. She stood at the entrance in a custom couture dress worth hundreds of thousands, a rare diamond–studded clutch in hand–but didn’t
move an inch.
Declan opened the rear door with a hint of hesitation. “Sloane… would you-”
Before he could finish, Sloane silently stepped out and walked straight to the front passenger seat
without a word.
– as
The gala was held at a lavish estate. Inside the chandelier–lit banquet hall, enamel–painted lights
threw dancing shadows across the crowd.
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The moment Vivienne appeared on Declan’s arm, the entire room turned to look. A group of
well–bred socialites instantly surrounded her.
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“Vivienne, Declan is spoiling you rotten! That gown–aren’t you the first person in the world to
wear it?”
“I heard he was overseas last week, and to get that exact couture piece off a Parisian collector, he bet on a race and even injured his arm?”
So that’s why his arm was hurt… He’d done it all for the lady of the hour.
Vivienne’s eyes welled with emotion. “Don’t bring it up… it bled so much. I just mentioned liking it
once, and he-”
“Hah! That’s what love looks like–he’d risk life and limb for you!”
www
Compliments poured in like a tide, and some of the women sneered in Sloane’s direction. “Some
people walk in here wearing a five–year–old hand–me–down and think they’re royalty. Please.
She’s not even fit to carry Vivienne’s heels.”
Sloane glanced down at her dress–it had been arranged by Declan himself.
She clenched her fingers, forcing herself to endure it all.
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The event moved into its charity auction segment. Though most of the items were trinkets Vivienne found beneath her, Declan placed extravagant bids each round just to maintain her spotlight.
Except for one piece: an emerald ring that got snapped up before he could raise his paddle.
Of course, that was the one Vivienne liked. She tugged on his sleeve, pouting. “Declan… I really
wanted that ring. I don’t think I’ll be able to eat a bite tonight without it.”
One sentence. That was all it took. After the auction ended, Declan personally sought out the winning bidder. “Mr. Clay, name your price. Ten times, a hundred times–I have no issue.”
The man chuckled. “Come on, Mr. Hawthorne. You know how I work. It’s not about the money. Truth is, I’ve been lacking creative inspiration lately… I’m short a muse. So here’s my offer-”
Sloane had stepped out to use the restroom when she heard the exchange at the corner of the hall.
“Your wife’s got quite the look. If she models for me, I’ll sell you the ring at cost.”
Declan’s expression darkened. “I’ll think about it.”
Sloane froze.
“Think about it“?
Everyone in the circle knew Mr. Clay was a notorious playboy. Word was he had this weird hobby- photography, but he only shot… certain kinds of subjects.
Her whole body trembled as she turned and hurried away.
But not long after, in the shadows of the hall, Declan grabbed her.
“Sloane… I need to talk to you.”
He held out a cocktail glass with a small smile. “I made this for you myself. You saw it too, didn’t you? Vivienne’s doing better now. Once she’s fully recovered, she’ll move out. It’s just… She really liked that ring.”
“And Mr. Clay said, if you agreed to model for one session… he’d let me buy it. So maybe you could
“}
“Absolutely not!” Sloane snapped, pushing him away. “Declan, what do you take me for?!”
A wave of bitterness surged through her. Sloane tried to choke it back, then drained the fruit cocktail in a single, angry gulp.
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But just as she stepped out of the banquet hall, a wave of dizziness hit her. Her vision swam. And then her legs gave out beneath her.
That drink… something was wrong with it.
As her consciousness slipped, she felt herself being caught in someone’s arms. Declan’s voice,
barely a whisper, reached her ear. “I’m sorry, Sloane. Just this once… the last time.”
Chapter 5
