Chapter 46
Chapter 46:
“Sister!” Aspen called out, her voice carrying across the parking lot. “You made it! Kieran insisted we come. He wanted to check on his investment p>
Kieran turned. His eyes locked onto Jocelyn — a hunger in them that made her skin crawl. He took in the Porsche, then the ring on her hand, then the jacket she was wearing. A man’s jacket.
“Hello, Jocelyn,” Kieran said. His voice was hoarse.
Jocelyn zipped the jacket higher and pulled the collar up. It felt like armor.
𝖳𝗵𝘰𝘶𝗌𝘢ո𝗱𝗌 оf 𝗿𝖾𝘢𝖽ers o𝗇 𝗴alոo𝗏е𝘭ѕ.cо𝘮
“This is a company event,” she said, walking past them. “Employees only. Unless you’re here to apply for a housekeeping job, Aspen p>
Aspen gasped. Kieran stepped into Jocelyn’s path, blocking her way.
“We need to talk,” he said.
“My lawyer does the talking for me now,” Jocelyn said, stepping around him. “Enjoy the fresh air, Kieran. Try not to pollute it p>
Night fell like a heavy curtain over the mountains. The air turned biting cold.
A massive bonfire roared in the center of the camp. The flames licked at the sky, casting long, dancing shadows across the clearing. The executives sat on log benches, drinking expensive wine from plastic cups.
Jocelyn sat on the edge of the circle, huddled in Gaston’s jacket. She just wanted to get to her cabin and lock the door.
“Let’s play a game!” Aspen chirped, clapping her gloved hands. She had clearly had too much wine. “Truth or Dare! It’s a tradition p>
The executives, eager to please the creditor’s fiancée, cheered drunkenly.
“I’m out,” Jocelyn said, standing up.
“Sit down, Jocelyn,” Uncle Vincent barked. “Don’t be a spoilsport. It’s team building p>
Jocelyn gritted her teeth and sat back down.
Aspen spun an empty wine bottle on a flat rock. It whirred and slowed, stopping directly at Stan — the head of marketing and a notorious sycophant of Vincent’s.
“Truth,” Stan said quickly, eager to please.
“Who do you hate most here?” Aspen asked with a giggle.
Stan’s eyes snapped to Jocelyn. “The people who think they know better than their elders. The usurpers p>
The circle went quiet. Jocelyn took a sip of her water, her face impassive.
Aspen spun the bottle again. She didn’t even pretend to let it move freely — she stopped it with her boot, pointing it directly at Jocelyn.
“Oops,” Aspen smirked. “Your turn, sis. Truth or Dare p>
“Truth,” Jocelyn said.
Aspen leaned forward, the firelight making her face look demonic. “Is it true you had to find a gay husband to put a name to the scandal you and Babe Vincent almost created p>
The air was sucked out of the clearing.
Jocelyn’s hands clenched into fists in her pockets. “I am not pregnant. And I did not marry Babe Vincent p>
“Boring!” Aspen yelled. “You’re lying. Everyone knows you’re a gold digger p>
She spun the bottle again, and again stopped it with her foot, pointing it at Jocelyn.
“Dare,” Jocelyn said. She was done with the questions.
Aspen’s smile widened. “I dare you to kiss the man to your left. For one full minute. With tongue p>