Chapter 24

"Nathan, wait for me—" Chloe Valentine hurried after him, her stilettos clicking sharply against the polished floor.

Outside the exit gate, Sophia Laurent 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, Evelyn Langley finally emerged.

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

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

Just as Sophia was about to agree, her eyes widened. "Isn't that Nathan Evans?"

Nathan and Chloe walked out side by side, chatting and laughing.

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

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

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

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

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

......

8 PM, neon lights flickered to life.

Evelyn let Sophia 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, Sophia boldly ordered a bottle of whiskey. Evelyn 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 Ethan Winston.

"What a coincidence." Evelyn nodded politely.

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

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

"Nathan didn't come?"

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

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

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

"Evelyn." He suddenly called after her.

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

Ethan 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]

Dylan Lowell replied instantly:

[No way! Evelyn?]

Julian Roscente:

[At Nightfall?]

Dylan:

[Definitely! I'd recognize that backdrop anywhere]

Ethan:

[@Nathan Evans Playing dead?]