s deep and inscrutable, yet his word

to that night th

old shiver ru

rlier, when Collin had recognized

mething they would both tacitly agree to forget by

Lena clenched her fists to maintain her composure. "W

likely left back in the room. "I just believe in the spirit of a fair exchange. I suppose you

ediately. "You think I deliberately

nd date earlier that day, and in that tense room, she had indeed sent him a desper

ough Lena, realizing she couldn't vind

discussion. "How much money do you want? O

in her, prompting a bitter laugh. "Since you seem fond of putting a price on ever

cerned that your efforts that night were in vain, worrie

inside as Lena's words hung in the air. The space w

eyes. Her laughter stopped abruptly as she faced him-what had she just said? She ha

ward, reducing the distance between

elevator. Lena had instinctively backed away, her retreat halt

unt she could offer depended on her financial r

r you tonight," Lena stated firmly, her tone conve

pting her explanation, as the ten

coldly. "Let me rephrase that. How much were you planning to charge Josh Wallac

out thinking. As she calmed down, the echo of her slap

, her chest heaved with a tumult of emotions on the verge of bursting. "C

, the hurt palpable in her voice. Despite

urge of embarrassment, Lena stomped her high heel ont

. Suddenly, a sharp pain clenched her lower abdomen. She doubled over, her face