A week had passed since Belinda's banquet invitation.
Seven days were enough for the bubbles in champagne to fade completely, but not enough to mend the rift between Molina and Ellet.
2 AM.
Ellet staggered into the villa, reeking of alcohol.
Calista had timed it perfectly. She approached him with a glass of vodka in hand.
"Sir, you're back. Do you... want some hangover soup?" She steadied him and helped him onto the couch.
Ellet didn't respond. He simply took the glass from her and downed it in one gulp.
The numbing effects of alcohol kept him from realizing it was straight vodka. The burning liquid slid down his throat, sending a wave of heat through his body.
Frustrated and restless, he yanked off his tie and started unbuckling his belt. His movements were sloppy, bordering on un
