Chapter 5 It's Ex-wife, Actually

Ryland's smile carried softness, yet his gaze stayed as cold as ice. "Funny, Brice. You didn't look so meek when you were picking on my friend a moment ago, did you?"

"Your... your friend?" Brice turned his head toward Eleanor with disbelief before dropping to his knees, pleading, "Mr. Brooks, I was out of line! I swear I had no idea she was close to you. I'd never dare touch her if I had known. It was foolish of me. Please, give me another chance, I swear I'll never repeat it."

He kept lowering his head over and over, begging like a man desperate to save himself.

At last, Ryland waved him off with clear contempt. "Fine. You're lucky I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let it go. Now get out of my sight."

"Thank you, Mr. Brooks." Brice stumbled toward the door, nearly falling as he bolted from the club.

Lillian came rushing in just as he disappeared, her face tight with worry. "Eleanor, are you hurt?"

Eleanor shook her head and replied, "No, I'm alright."

Relief swept over Lillian, and she turned toward her brother. "Ryland, thank heavens you showed up. We really owe you."

Ryland chuckled softly as he patted her hair. "What matters to you matters to me. You don't need to thank me."

Eleanor dipped her head politely. "Thank you, Mr. Brooks."

"You don't have to be formal with me. You spilled plenty of wine. Go wash it off before it dries."

"Okay." Eleanor got up and headed for the restroom, though midway she crossed paths with Jonny, who had Lainey by his side.

Lainey greeted her with a bright smile. "Miss Warren, what a lovely surprise."

Eleanor acknowledged her with the faintest nod, making no effort to continue the exchange.

The silence left Lainey stiff and uneasy. She turned to Jonny with a wounded expression. "Jonny, did I upset Miss Warren somehow?"

A deep frown formed on Jonny's face. "She's trying to greet you, and you can't even respond properly?"

Eleanor tilted her head, unimpressed. "Since when were we so close?"

"Don't get upset with Miss Warren on my account," Lainey said quickly, clutching Jonny's hand with feigned gentleness.

What nonsense.

Eleanor decided it wasn't worth another word and turned to go, but Jonny's irritated voice cut through the noise. "If you're trying to draw me in, you don't need to humiliate yourself. My heart belongs to Lainey. No matter how much you try, it's pointless."

That was all she needed to confirm he had completely lost touch with reality.

Her eyes lifted to his, calm but sharp. "I didn't step foot in this place for your sake. I came to enjoy myself. And let me remind you-we're divorced. You don't get to lecture me anymore."

The chill in her tone left Jonny restless. He couldn't grasp how the gentle, compliant woman he once married had turned into someone so unyielding.

"Miss Warren, how can you speak like that? Jonny only means well," Lainey interjected quickly, trying to defend Jonny.

Eleanor's gaze swept over them, full of disdain. "Please. You're just a cheating husband and a shameless homewrecker. Do either of you really have the right to stand before me as if you're proud of it? Step aside. I have no time for nonsense."

With heels striking the floor like sharp notes, Eleanor swept past them, her crimson dress flowing around her like a rose in full bloom.

Jonny's fists clenched as he stared after her, his chest burning. How had he lived all this time without realizing she carried such fire on her tongue?

Lainey reached for his hand and said softly, "Don't let her get under your skin, Jonny. Come back inside with me. Emma is waiting."

His expression darkened, yet he gave no reply.

While she had been overseas, he missed her every day. Yet now, with her right beside him, her presence felt strangely empty. Perhaps Eleanor's defiance had clouded his mind.

Together they turned and walked away.

Inside the private room, Ryland observed it all through the wide glass window. "I never imagined she was Jonny's wife. That makes things rather amusing."

"It's ex-wife, actually," Nolan corrected firmly.