She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 885

When Daphne saw Everett pushing his way through the cluster of uniformed officers, her heart violently skipped a beat.

The moment their eyes met, a furious blush rushed to her cheeks.

She silently cursed herself for acting like a fool. She wasn't some lovesick teenager; there was no reason to go weak in the knees just because the guy she had a one-night stand with showed up during a crisis!

But the harder she tried to force a cool, collected demeanor, the more her body betrayed her.

Everett definitely noticed the crimson flush on her face. But with the cops, the male hosts, and curious patrons milling about, he had no idea what to say.

His presence here tonight was a total accident.

Nathaniel Royce had explicitly instructed him to escort Melanie to the high-profile banquet. He was supposed to dress to the nines and play the role of the perfect, charming date.

Instead, he had faked an illness to get out of it.

Thankfully, Nathaniel hadn't pushed, merely sighing in disappointment before granting him the night off.

Everett wasn't physically sick. It was entirely mental. He couldn't stomach the thought of facing Melanie.

Even though he and Daphne had seemingly smoothed over their drunken encounter, he still couldn't look Melanie in the eye or stand proudly by her side. He was terrified.

Terrified that Melanie would somehow find out he had slept with her best friend. To Melanie, he was already hovering somewhere below her bankrupt ex-boyfriend on the respect scale. If she knew about this, his image would be irreparably destroyed.

With the night off and nowhere to go, Everett had just started walking. Whether by coincidence or some twisted fate, his feet had dragged him straight to the Eclipse Noir Club.

Looking up, he saw the flashing lights of the police cruiser and panicked, assuming Daphne was in danger. He had shoved his way through the crowd without a second thought.

The police were already wrapping up, hauling the instigators into the cruisers. The chaotic energy inside the club slowly began to dissipate.

Daphne walked over to him. Everett stood frozen in place, nervously rubbing his nose and scratching the back of his neck, desperately trying to look busy.

Daphne had planned to let him speak first, but his painfully awkward fidgeting forced her hand.

"How... how did you know something happened?" she asked.

"Huh?" Everett blinked.

He realized from her tone that she thought he had rushed over specifically to save her.

"I, uh, I actually..."

"Thanks for coming to help, but the cops have it handled. There's nothing left for us to do," Daphne interrupted smoothly, guiding him toward a plush VIP booth. "What do you want to drink? It's on the house."

"I..." Everett hesitated.

He had only walked in because he saw the cruiser. Now that the drama was over, all he wanted to do was bolt.

Facing Melanie was awkward, but facing Daphne was agonizing. Still, her hospitality left him cornered. He braced himself and sat down.

"Just... a glass of juice is fine."

There was no way in hell he was drinking alcohol in her club again. The mere thought of another drunken mistake made his head throb.

He massaged his temples.

"Are you okay? Do you feel sick?" Daphne leaned in close, bending down to check on him.

At that exact moment, Everett raised his head.

*Smack.*

Everett's forehead slammed directly into Daphne's chin with a brutal thud.