Chapter 3 THE PARTY

LONDON’S POV

We didn’t waste much time. Inside the bathroom, we changed quickly. Jade pulled on a tight black dress and fixed her pink hair in the mirror. Tessa stepped into a sleek, dark green silk outfit, smoothing it down. Isla put on a simple gray dress without saying a word. I pulled a long red gown over my shoulders and applied some lipstick.

We looked at each other in the mirror. The exhausted Queens roommates were gone. For once, we actually looked like we belonged in a billionaire’s world.

Then we walked out.

The moment we stepped onto the main villa’s outdoor patio, I realized just how different this place was from anything we’d known in Queens. Music shook the patio, people laughed in groups, and drinks were being passed around everywhere.

“Oh, I am definitely getting drunk tonight,” Jade said, her eyes following a servant carrying a tray of drinks.

Tessa looked around, clearly impressed, even though she tried not to show it. Isla did the opposite. She moved closer to me, her eyes moving nervously across the crowd.

Before we could find a place to stand, Charles spotted us and made his way over. His white shirt was still halfway unbuttoned, and he had a fresh drink in his hand.

“The travelers have arrived,” he said, gesturing toward the crowd. “Come. You haven’t met everyone yet. Let me show you around.”

He led us through the crowd toward a group gathered around a fountain.

An older man stood in the middle of them with a glass of whiskey in his hand. He wasn’t speaking loudly, but everyone around him seemed to listen whenever he did.

“Father,” Charles said, stepping into the group. “These are our unlisted guests from the pier.”

Edward Hamilton turned toward us. His eyes moved over each of us before settling on me for a moment. His expression gave nothing away.

“Welcome to Wyndham,” he said. His voice was calm and controlled. “You are our guests. Enjoy the evening.”

He gave a short nod before turning back to the people he’d been speaking with.

Charles started to lead us away.

“Don’t let him freeze you out,” a warm voice said from behind us. A young woman stepped forward. She wore an elegant white dress and had a brilliant smile.

“I’m Arabella,” she said. She shook our hands one by one and winked at Jade. “I love your hair.”

Jade smiled. “Thank you.”

“My father thinks he’s still running a corporate boardroom,” Arabella said with a laugh. “Go get a drink and enjoy the party.” She was warm and easy to talk to, and within seconds she had Jade laughing.

Then someone called Arabella from across the patio.

“I’ll see you girls later,” she said before walking away.

As Charles led us farther into the party, I noticed another man sitting alone on the steps.

He looked serious and irritated. He kept checking his phone, then looking toward the entrance as if he were waiting for someone.

“And that grumpy one is my brother, Elliot,” Charles said, pointing toward him. “Don’t bother talking to him. He hates socializing and people.”

Elliot didn’t even look up. He kept staring at his phone, his fingers tightening around his glass.

Charles continued talking, but I stopped listening. My breath caught.

Julian stood a few yards away, leaning against one of the pillars with his hands in his pockets.

His eyes were already on me. Jade noticed my sudden stiffness. She followed my gaze and leaned toward my ear. “He’s still staring,” she whispered.

“Ignore him,” I muttered, looking down.

“I’m trying,” she whispered back. “He’s making it difficult with that face. He thinks he’s in a movie.”

Despite myself, I almost smiled. Jade’s comment helped me relax enough to look away.

“I told you the villa is incredible.”

I turned at the familiar voice. Nina Weston stood behind us in a blue dress, holding a glass of champagne. Her appearance gave me a strange sense of relief. At least there was someone here I already knew.

She joined us, giving Jade a playful nudge.

“Look at this place,” Jade said, taking a long drink from her beer. “I’m going to drink enough free alcohol to cover my rent in New York.”

Nina laughed. “Drink up. The Hamiltons can afford it. Just don’t fall into the pool with those heels on.”

Jade laughed loudly, and even Tessa smiled.

But as Nina talked to us, I noticed her stop talking mid-sentence whenever a guest passed by our circle. She held her champagne glass tightly with both hands, never taking a single sip.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

Her eyes came back to me. “I’m fine.” She smiled, but it looked forced.

A moment later, she glanced toward the upper corridors of the villa again. “Excuse me, girls,” she said suddenly, setting her untouched glass down on a passing tray. “I have to take care of something.”

“Already?” Jade asked.

Nina smiled. I’ll see you later.”

She walked away quickly, disappearing into the crowd. I watched her go. Something about her didn’t feel right. But before I could think about it any further, Jade grabbed my arm.

“Come on. We’re here to have fun.

The party went on. As the hours passed, the music got louder and the drinks kept coming. Jade got increasingly drunk, laughing loudly and dancing near the edge of the patio. Tessa finally relaxed too, taking drinks from passing trays and talking to a few guests.

Isla rubbed her eyes and leaned against me. “I’m so tired already,” she complained quietly. “My head hurts.”

I kept drinking, swallowing the liquor quickly. I wanted to stop thinking about getting fired, and I wanted to stop thinking about Julian.

The alcohol was starting to work. My head felt heavy, and the lights around me seemed to blur whenever I moved.

Slowly, the crowd separated us.

“I’m getting another drink,” Jade announced, her eyes already glassy. She drifted toward the bar.

A few minutes later, Tessa stretched her arms. “Going for a walk; I need some air.”

Then Isla quietly stepped away, receding back to the room because she needed a quiet place to rest.

Suddenly, I was alone.

I stood in the middle of the party with my glass in my hand, looking around for my friends. But without meaning to, my eyes began searching for someone else.

Julian, I couldn’t find him.

I moved away from the main patio, following a quieter walkway along the side of the villa.

The music became softer behind me. I stood there, leaning against the railing, trying to clear my head.

Suddenly, the music stopped. Then a sharp, piercing scream tore through the air. It came from directly above me.

I looked straight up at the high balcony. It was dark, and at first I couldn’t see anything But then my eyes caught a sudden movement.

I saw a figure. There was a brief struggle in the shadows, a sudden tangle of shapes, and then one of them went over the railing.

A second later, a body hit the stone patio below with a loud thud. The party erupted into instant panic. People ran past me in every direction, knocking over chairs and shouting for security.

I pushed through the crowd, my heart pounding as I tried to see what had happened.

Then I saw her. Nina Weston lay on the ground, her eyes wide, staring at nothing.

I tried to remember exactly what I’d seen. The alcohol had blurred everything. I hadn’t seen a face.

But I remembered the movement, the height, The broad shape of those shoulders. I knew those shoulders. I had seen that walk too many times in my life.

Julian.

But I was drunk; I looked through the crowd, searching for him, trying to prove myself wrong.

But there were too many people. I couldn’t see him anywhere.