Fall From Grace, Rise To Reign

"There's a kind of soup here people swear by," Lainey said lightly, brushing her fingers along the menu. "The chef's signature is famous, and skipping it today would be tragic. They even offer live band services, and on a birthday, the mood matters."

Each of her gentle suggestions nudged Jeremy closer to the quiet snare she had prepared.

"Today is Erin's birthday," Jeremy said without thinking, waving a hand. "Her happiness comes first, order everything you just named."

Lost in the chorus of praise around him, he forgot himself completely.

Lainey curved her lips, the hint of triumph warm and patient.

She waited, curious to watch how he would face what came next.

Just then, Erin approached with a proud tilt to her mouth.

"Lainey, do you see this?" she said sweetly, fingers grazing the table. "This is what separates us. I only stand here, and Jeremy showers me with the best, while you chased him for six years and barely earned a smile, sometimes I almost pity you."

After that, Erin raised her chin, eyes bright as she waited for shame to bloom.

But Lainey only answered with a quiet, steady smile.

"You do?" she asked softly, eyes glinting. "Before you pity me, maybe keep an eye on his wallet."

"What are you talking about?"

She followed the direction of Lainey's gaze.

A sharply dressed manager came forward with careful steps, holding a bill edged in faint gold that caught the warm light.

"Mr. White, this is tonight's full statement," he said politely, offering it with a slight bow. "Would you care to review it?"

Without looking, Jeremy drew out the black card she once placed in his palm and slid it across the table with a careless motion. "Put it on my card."

The manager took it away and returned moments later, tension flickering briefly across his composed face.

"I'm very sorry, Mr. White," he said in a low voice. "The payment could not be processed."

Jeremy's expression tightened, disbelief flashing through his eyes.

"That can't be right," he said coldly. "Run it once more."

The manager repeated the attempt, the machine beeping before falling silent again.

"My apologies, Mr. White," he said carefully. "Our system is operating normally, and it's obvious that this account is currently frozen."

"The account is frozen?"

His voice cut through the room, sharp enough to turn nearby heads.

His gaze shifted to Lainey, who was calmly lifting her glass.

Was this her doing?

He lowered his eyes to the receipt at last, shock breaking through as he reached the final figure.

"Six million?"

Color drained from his face as the number settled into his mind.

He kept staring, as if willing the digits to change under his glare.

Lainey placed her glass down and said with quiet amusement, "Surely, Mr. White, a man like you can cover that."

Slowly, he raised his head and met her gaze, her eyes cool and openly amused.

"So this was your plan?" he asked, eyes narrowing, disbelief rough in his voice.

"Didn't you announce you'd handle every expense tonight?" Lainey said mildly, folding her hands. "Mr. White, surely you're not taking your words back now, are you?"

As her voice lingered, the bright laughter in the room thinned into an uneasy hush.

Everyone could feel the shift, the tension curling around Jeremy.

Erin let out a short laugh, lips curling with scorn.

"Lainey, what kind of nonsense is this?" she said lightly, brushing her hair aside. "Jeremy always keeps his promises. Maybe the bank made a mistake, and even if the card is frozen, can't it go on the White family's account?"

The manager's polite smile slowly disappeared.

"I'm sorry," he said with quiet firmness. "The Laurel Club does not allow credit under any circumstances."

Jeremy closed his hands into fists and moved toward Lainey, steps stiff with restraint.

"Lainey, could we speak outside for a moment?"

"Mr. White, anything you wish to say can be said right here," she replied calmly, eyes clear. Pretending not to notice his tension, Lainey looked at him with open confusion.

His face tightened, and through clenched teeth he murmured, barely audible, "Can you pay it for me this time?"

Lainey widened her eyes and lifted her voice in disbelief.

"What? Mr. White, you want me to pay for all this?"

Her words rang out, neatly drawing every gaze in the room toward them.

Ignoring Jeremy's desperate glances to keep quiet, Lainey lifted her voice so the whole room could hear.

"Didn't you just promise you'd pay for everyone tonight?" she said evenly, eyes bright. "Asking someone who has nothing to do with you to settle the bill now... Doesn't that feel a little shameless?"

Her words struck like a clean slap, ringing against the fragile silence around them.

Heat rushed to Jeremy's face, shame burning through him as he swore he would never forgive her for this.

"I'll pay you back later," he muttered, staring at the floor.

He refused to look around, afraid of the scorn he might find in every face.

"But-" Lainey paused, glancing at Erin before leaning closer and whispering. "Are you really sure you can afford to?"

Seeing them so near, Erin tightened her grip on her purse, knuckles paling.

Did Lainey really believe she could steal him away with tricks like that?