Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Inside the Moonlight lounge, Richard and Jackson were already there.

Jackson looked like he was having a rough day, hunched over his phone, busy texting someone back and barely glancing up. When he finally checked the group chat, he frowned and shot Richard a look.

"Hey, did you hear the rumor? Apparently, Dylan just got married?"

Richard, half-asleep on the sofa, just swallowed and muttered, "Married to who?"

Women from all over had tried to get close to Dylan. Unless it was the one he actually wanted, he'd never agree to marry. Honestly, who started this nonsense?

Jackson tossed his phone aside and thought for a second. "It's probably because Walter's been going through all those society girls' profiles lately. Everyone knows Dylan's supposed to have his marriage settled in the next couple of weeks, so the rumors are flying. I just wonder which one Walter will end up picking."

He shot a sideways glance at Richard. "Richard, did you already know who Dylan actually likes-"

He didn't get to finish. The door burst open and Nicholas strolled in, looking like he was on top of the world. You could tell he wanted everyone to ask what he'd been up to before he got here.

Jackson couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Scarlette. Out of everyone, she'd crossed paths with Nicholas the king of acting without thinking.

Nicholas flopped down on the sofa, slinging an arm over the back. He was practically radiating good mood.

"So, you guys got Dylan's message too? He called us all here out of nowhere- what's he planning?"

Dylan was never into this kind of thing. Usually, they had to beg him three or four times to even show up. They all figured he was just too much of a lone wolf.

Richard poured himself a drink, swirling the glass in his hand. "Who knows? Didn't you hear he's supposed to get married soon? Maybe he wants us to introduce him to someone. Maybe he's looking for the right kind of girl."

Nicholas, ever the simple one, actually started thinking seriously about it-like, who would be good enough for Dylan?noveldrama

He even considered women he knew overseas—accomplished, beautiful, smart. Maybe he could help Dylan out, as long as she fit whatever Walter wanted.

Watching Nicholas get all thoughtful, Richard almost laughed. This guy was hopelessly slow sometimes.

He was about to make a joke when the door opened again—and in came Dylan.

Aiden was right behind him, pushing Dylan's wheelchair with quiet respect. Once Dylan was inside, Aiden backed out and gently closed the door.

Dylan rolled up to the coffee table, eyeing the bottles lined up.

Richard was about to ask what was going on when Dylan spoke first. "What do you guys want to drink? Tonight's on me."

sure he'd misheard.

Richard frozes

Dylan, offering to treat? That was

new. Usually, Dylan was the quietest

guy in the room, never the one to

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initiate. It wasn't that he was stingy-it just wasn't like him to be

this enthusiastic.

Jackson couldn't resist. "What's got into you? In that case, I want the oldest bottle you've got here. You know, the one you never let us touch.”

Dylan had a couple bottles stashed here-rare ones he'd picked up at auctions, more for Moonlight's reputation than for drinking. You couldn't buy them, no matter how much you offered.

Jackson was half-joking, but Dylan just smiled, a small, real smile. “Sure.”

Even Richard was surprised—and he was usually the one who kept his cool.

He set his glass down, suddenly serious. "Did something happen? Did Walter finally push you over the

edge? You always said you'd opet

open those bottles for a major celebration. Unless you're getting married."

As soon as he said it, Dylan reached into his suit jacket and pulled out two little

red marriage certificates, setting them on the table like they were gold bars.