Chapter 1: The Untouched Glass
THE GLASS OF WINE
Christian had sat through countless dinners beside people who smiled while they lied, and that night he almost sat through one more.
It was evening in the elegant restaurant, and the dining room was bright and warm.
Crystal chandeliers and candle holders cast gold light over white tablecloths set with silverware, flowers, and tall stemmed glasses.
Guests at the nearby tables talked quietly.
Nothing in the room had any lettering on it.
At one table was seated Adelaide, forty, long-faced, her hair swept up, in a red silk evening gown and a pair of long black gloves.
She lifted one gloved finger and pointed it straight at the young woman standing beside the table.
Marnie was twenty-five, slim, oval-faced, her hair tied neatly back, in a white shirt and black bow tie, with a small brass name tag on her chest that had no lettering on it.
Adelaide's tone was icy and proud.
"Know your place."
Beside the table stood Christian, forty, square-jawed, in a black suit.
His face was calm, and his eyes were on the tablecloth.
With the tip of one gloved finger, Adelaide slid a glass of red wine across the cloth toward him.
Christian reached out, took the glass, and slowly raised it to his chest.
Marnie's expression changed.
Her eyes widened, and the words burst out of her.
"Boss, don't drink that!"
Christian's hand froze in midair, the glass hovering near his lips without touching them.
He turned his head slowly and fixed his eyes on Adelaide's face.
His voice was quiet.
"What's in that glass?"
Adelaide pushed out a stiff smile and waved one hand lightly.
"Nothing.
Just wine."
Marnie moved half a pace closer, her hands tight on her tray, her voice shaking.
"Sir, please don't."
Christian kept his eyes on Adelaide and set the glass back down on the table silently.
The smile vanished from her face.
One gloved hand went to her chest, her color drained, and her voice trembled.
"I can explain."
Christian bent down until his eyes were level with hers.
He touched no one.
His voice was low and heavy, and each word came out on its own.
"Then explain.
Now."
Adelaide's lips parted, and she could not make a sound.
Marnie stood at the edge of the table, clutching her tray and not daring to speak.
The diners at the nearby tables breathed more softly.
On the white cloth, the glass of wine remained untouched.
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Why did Marnie warn Christian—and what will Adelaide reveal?
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