Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 124

The landscape lights in the courtyard had all been illuminated, casting a vibrant emerald glow over the pines and cypresses, while the water in the fountain shimmered like liquid silver.

A cool night breeze swept through. Audrina took a deep breath, letting the crisp mountain air, rich with the scent of damp earth, fill her lungs. It felt so good she practically purred.

"Drina!" Willow called out from the other side of the terrace.

As she jogged closer, she demanded, "Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you."

Audrina leaned in, her eyes dancing with amusement. "I was just facing off against Tamara. Total annihilation on my end."

"No way. Seriously?"

"Seriously." Audrina's lips curved into a smug smile. "I am so done with her."

Willow leaned in even closer, the two women conspiratorially bumping shoulders. "You should've told me! I would've gotten here earlier. I heard..."

Her eyes instantly lit up as her gaze dropped to Audrina's chest, taking in the spectacular jewelry.

"Yep. You were late. The show's over." Audrina tilted her chin up, showing off the elegant line of her neck.

"Wow..." Willow's eyes went wide as saucers.

Before she could even properly admire the millions of dollars resting against Audrina's collarbone, Audrina asked, "Where's Waldo?"

Willow forced her eyes away and looped her arm through Audrina's, steering her back inside. "He went up to rest. The old man was exhausted. Come on, the dancing is about to start."

Chatting and laughing, the two rounded the final corner of the corridor. The grand doors to the ballroom stood wide open.

The air was thick with overlapping voices, the clinking of fine crystal, and the intermittent, melodic tuning of the live string quartet.

Audrina paused in the doorway, sweeping her gaze across the room.

It was still packed.

Even though the host had retired for the evening, the guests lingered in small, buzzing clusters.

Some were playing cards at a table by the window, a few socialite wives were gossiping on the central sofas, and waiters wove seamlessly around the edge of the dance floor with trays of champagne.

Her gaze drifted over the crowd and landed on the far side of the room.

She spotted Sebastian immediately.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify