Chapter 18
Chapter 18:
“The Wolfe family, under Robert Stein, has reserved the private dining room at Le Coucou for Friday night,” Marcus repeated, consulting his tablet. “Guest list includes Robert and Elouise Stein, Aspen Schneider, and the Vincent family. Senior and Junior p>
Gaston leaned back in his leather chair and tapped a pen against the mahogany desk.
“And Jocelyn p>
“She’s on the list,” Marcus said. “Robert Stein added her an hour ago p>
Gaston let out a low, dark chuckle.
“They’re trying to set Aspen up with Babe Vincent,” he said. “And they’re forcing Jocelyn to watch p>
It was a classic power play. Humiliate the black sheep while selling off the golden child.
“Book the table next to theirs,” Gaston said. “The one with the shared partition p>
“You want to eavesdrop, sir?” Marcus asked, raising an eyebrow.
𝖳𝗿е𝗻𝗱𝘪𝗻 о𝘯 ѕ.c𝗈𝘮
“I want to ensure my wife doesn’t get eaten alive,” Gaston said. “And I want to see the look on Robert’s face when he realizes his merger is a dead end p>
Across town, in a penthouse in Tribeca, Aspen was pacing with her phone pressed to her ear.
“She kicked us out, Anny! Literally threw a custom-made mattress off the balcony p>
On the other end of the line, Anny Douglas — Kieran’s younger sister and a notorious socialite — laughed.
“God, she’s desperate,” Anny said. “Kieran is furious. He’s been drinking since noon p>
“We need to punish her,” Aspen hissed. “She thinks she’s untouchable because she found some nobody to marry. I want to break her before Friday p>
“I have an idea,” Anny purred. “I’m hosting a pre-event at The Box on Friday. Before the dinner. Get her there p>
“She won’t come,” Aspen said. “She hates us p>
“She hates us, but she loves her work,” Anny said. “Kieran still has that external hard drive. The one with her design portfolio. Tell her she can come pick it up p>
“And then p>
“And then,” Anny’s voice dropped, “we make sure she has a drink. A strong one. Let’s see how poised she looks at the Vincent dinner when she can barely stand p>
Jocelyn received the text at 4:00 PM on Friday.
Anny: Kieran wants to give you your drive back. He’s done being petty. Come to The Box at 6. Come alone.
Jocelyn stared at the phone. She knew it was a trap. It had “trap” written all over it in neon letters.
But that hard drive held three years of architectural sketches — her intellectual property. If she wanted to start her own firm, she needed those files.
She texted Gaston.
Jocelyn: I have an errand to run before the dinner. I’ll meet you there?
Gaston: Where are you going?
Jocelyn: Just picking up some old files. Don’t worry.
Gaston frowned at the reply. He buzzed his assistant. “Marcus, change of plans. I’ll be at The Box’s private lounge first. Have security sweep the venue and keep an eye on Mrs. Collins when she arrives. Inform me the second she enters the building p>
Jocelyn put on a simple black cocktail dress — elegant, understated. She covered the bandage on her hand with a long silk glove, then took a cab to the club.