Chapter 351

The city sparkled like a jewel box at night.

Phantom Lounge pulsed with energy and laughter.

Evelyn Sinclair stepped out of her car with effortless grace. Her casual ensemble - an oversized designer tee paired with a micro mini - accentuated her mile-long legs. Heads turned as she moved through the crowd.

Inside the VIP section, Adrian Blackwood was spraying Dom Pérignon like a firehose while chasing Ethan Caldwell around the room. The scene was chaotic yet festive.

Julian Moreau sat conversing with the director, looking relaxed in his tailored suit. His face lit up when he spotted Evelyn.

"Ms. Sinclair! You made it!"

The director and others greeted her warmly. Several unfamiliar faces - likely Adrian's fellow adventurers - nodded in acknowledgment.

Sophia Laurent sat isolated in a shadowy corner.

Her sequined gown and full glam makeup seemed better suited for a red carpet than a casual celebration.

No one paid her any attention.

After the bungee jumping incident where the audience voted her off the platform, Sophia finally understood her unpopularity.

She regretted her blatant targeting of Evelyn during filming. When she'd climbed back up, trembling from the jump, the crew had simply packed up without checking on her.

Sophia only attended this wrap party to secure her spot in the next season.

Though her reputation had taken hits and she'd lost endorsements, she remained relevant. Missing this show would be career suicide!

Watching Evelyn's effortless popularity made Sophia's chest tighten with envy. "It's just her family's money," she muttered.

When Ethan stepped out to take a call, Adrian dragged Evelyn aside. "Ethan says he's skipping next season. Wants to track elephant migrations in Botswana."

Evelyn glanced at the brooding explorer nursing his drink alone. She gave an approving thumbs-up. "Danger magnet as always."

Ethan rolled his eyes and stalked out.

"Drink?" Adrian asked. Evelyn considered. "A bottle of Château d'Yquem '45, please." She'd been craving its honeyed notes.

Adrian's smile faltered. "Trying to bankrupt me?"

"Oh right." Evelyn chuckled. "Forgot about your trust fund restrictions. My treat tonight. Order whatever you like."

Adrian exhaled in relief. "Thank God I got over my crush on you. The humiliation would've killed me." He grinned. "One bottle enough?"

Laughter and clinking glasses filled the air until Ethan burst back in, face stormy. He grabbed Evelyn's wrist.

"I need your help."

Before she could protest, he'd pulled her into the hallway.

"What's wrong?"

Ethan leaned against the floor-to-ceiling windows, jaw working. His usual confidence had evaporated.

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Spit it out or I'm going back."

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Her eyebrows shot up. Ethan quickly amended, "Fake girlfriend."

Suspicion darkened her features. "What's your game?"

Ethan's gaze remained startlingly clear. "Want me to swear on my mother's grave?"

Her stance softened slightly. "Why the charade?"

Ethan's knuckles whitened on the windowsill. "I just saw my dead ex."

"The one who drained your accounts?"

His face flushed crimson. "That bastard Adrian told you?"

"Who else?" Evelyn smirked, unrepentant.

Ethan shook his head - revenge took priority over settling scores with Adrian.

"She's here for her bachelorette party. I need to... congratulate her."

Evelyn studied his murderous expression. "Do you though?"

The words exploded from him. "She cheated with my business partner! Stole my money to buy him watches! When I confronted her, she wiped out my accounts!"

The veins in his neck stood out like cables. Evelyn had never seen the unflappable explorer so unraveled.

"Fine," she sighed. "But you're buying me another bottle of that Sauternes."

Ethan's grin was all sharp edges. "Deal."