"You're a horrible escort," Belle harshly scolded Altan,? snatching Lina away from him. She looped her hand through Lina's elbow and pulled her into the fine and festive club before Altan could respond.

  Belle heard the heavy footsteps of guilt trailing from Altan. She jutted her chin proudly in the air and dragged Lina through the doors. Immediately, everyone paused to greet them with warm smiles.

  "Madame Belle, Miss Yang, Third Young Master Medeor."

  There was hesitancy in addressing Altan, who was always reluctant to be associated with his family name. He narrowed his eyes at the lengthy title that set them apart.

  "Madame Belle?" Lina repeated, turning to her good friend with curiosity.

  "My family wants nothing to do with my club, despite the success of opening week last time," Belle scoffed. "I don't care."

  Lina's lips curled. She knew Belle hailed from a famous family of wealthy merchants who were trying to hide their humble beginnings from three generations ago. Alas, in a city like Ritan, status and wealth meant everything. Her Papa once warned her to stay away from Belle, who could be someone chasing Lina's background to boost her own.

  "And you," Belle sharply said to Altan. "Walk three steps behind us."

  Altan let out a soft laugh, offering her a charming smile that he knew always pleased the ladies.

  "I'll escort Lina in my finest car next time," Altan promised her. "If my servant hadn't dragged me away—"

  "I don't want your boring excuses," Belle mused in a displeased voice. She pulled Lina in another direction, towards the front.

  Lina admired the club that she was unable to attend until now. She was breathless by the beauty of the enormous place. There were four floors.

  On the first was the red carpet, a bar ran the length of the room with smoothed velvet and metal chairs while shelves stocked with every alcohol imaginable hung above. There were polished black tables decorated with luxurious candles and fresh flowers, large vases with expensive plants, and the list went on.

  Lina noticed secluded tables in the corner and remembered there were private rooms on the third and fourth floor. The real beauty of the club was the balcony on the second floor that overlooked the ground, for it was lined with gold, making it appear heavenly.

  "Lilies dedicated to you," Belle said the second she passed by a table.

  Belle plucked up the flower and slid it into Lina's hair. It was when Belle realized there were a few things out of place. She stared at the loosened bun as if someone had grabbed Lina's hair to drag her. Then, her attention shifted to Lina's slightly reddened eyes and her wrinkled dress towards the bottom. It was barely noticeable, but up close, Belle saw it all.

  "Lina, darling," Belle's voice turned cold. "Where were you?"

  Lina swallowed hard and tried to speak. She had known Belle since they were mere schoolgirls. Belle was always great at conversations, changing her voice to suit the tone of the discussion, and it was why people loved her so much. Without a doubt, this would be the successful tribute of her club.

  "I…" Lina glanced at Altan who was engaged with another man that waved him down. "I got lost on my way here."

  "Are you serious?!" Belle softly gasped, grabbing her dear friend and yanking her close. "But this is Yang territory, why didn't anyone guide you?"

  "I think I wandered into the southern part of Ritan," Lina mumbled. "I do not know, but they called me my grandfather's mistress… claiming they all look like me."

  "You know that's nonsense," Belle sighed. "Your grandfather dotes on you and Mila very much, and has a soft heart for those that appear like you girls. But you know the truth, we all do. They're decoys for your death."

  Lina frowned. "I've told him to not—"

  "In a room of masked maids, you will be safe in the case of an ambush the second you slide on one," Belle reassured her. "Do not argue with me on this, you know I support him."

  Lina let out a sigh. "Someone helped me."

  "I know," Belle said with a cunning smile. "Who was he?"

  Lina touched her shoulders, where she suddenly felt cold. Her attention flew to the coat in Altan's hands. He had seized it, declaring she shouldn't be seen with another man's item, for rumors could be spread. Suddenly, she saw him pass the coat to a random servant.

  "Lina—"

  Lina rushed to the servant who was startled at her presence. She pushed past Altan and took the coat from the man.

  "Thank you, but no need," Lina stated with a warm smile.

  The servant gawked at her beauty. He was rendered speechless by her soft lips, as naturally pink as the peonies in the background. Then, he shakily gazed at her again, as pure as the lily in her hair.

  Upon earning a stormy glower from Altan, the servant quickly bowed and scurried off.

  "Lina, what are you doing?" Altan harshly asked her. "That coat—"

  "Is mine," Lina deadpanned, leaving no room for an argument. She hugged the folded coat close to her and glowered at him.

  "Keep your men in check," Lina suddenly said, her mood worsening at his confusion.

  "My men?" Altan repeated. "As in my family's underlings?"

  Lina narrowed her eyes, but refused to explain anything else. She turned on her heels and stormed to the bar, leaving a wake of men staring at her and Altan frowning like an abandoned puppy. She angrily slid onto the bar stool and ordered herself a drink.

  "Your men are scum," Belle said the moment she reached Altan's side. She caught the eye of a customer and offered him an alluring smile. Immediately, the guest raised his glass to her, offered a wink, and went back to his business partner.

  "What did they do?" Altan hissed. "Women and their lack of context. Do I look like a mind reader to you?"

  "Some of your men assaulted Lina when she got lost," Belle whispered. "Care to explain?"

  The air around them dipped. But it was not from Altan's blood-stricken face. Soft murmurs surfaced around the club. Every pair of eyes snapped to the entrance.

  "You can't be serious," Belle gasped under her breath. She was nearly at a loss for words.

  Light shined from behind him. The duo was a vision to behold, like messengers from heaven. The man in charge strutted like he owned the entire club, his hand tucked into his pocket. His friend nonchalantly glanced around the floor, his lips curled playfully.

  "That's the military bastard with Lina—"

  "Worry about your scummy men first," Belle hissed over her shoulder, before turning to quickly greet the guests with a large smile.

  "Gentlemen," Belle said in her finest voice, lowered and allured.

  Instantly, it captured the attention of the man's friend who quirked a brow. He gazed at her face and offered a nod in greeting. Belle was pleased at his behavior, for most men would scrutinize her from head to toe and linger on her breasts.

  "Welcome to Belle Night," Belle stated with her best smile. "How may—"

  The leader brushed straight past her coldly.

  "——I help you," Belle finished, her composure remaining the same. Instead, she shifted her attention straight to the friend.

  "Holton," he said. "And that right there is Commander DeHaven."

  "You must be his second in command, Lieutenant Holton," Belle realized. "You're brothers."

  "The very one, Madame."

  Belle nearly choked on her saliva. Commander who?! As in, the one that led them to victory in the last battle? She blanched at the idea, for his face was on every poster sprawled across town and he was a celebrated war hero personally awarded by the president.

  "VIP guests then," Belle decided on the spot. "Belle Night would be delighted to have you."

  "Just treat us as regulars and you'll be fine," Holton remarked, offering her a slight wink. "Though, I'd love a seat by the stage."

  Belle instantly nodded her head. Her heart was rushing with anticipation of what these military men would do at her club, however she maintained her elegant composure. This wasn't just a place to drink and grab women, it was for gentlemen to socialize. It was why she kept her guest list exclusive and only certain people could freely walk in.

  "Come this way then, Lieutenant Holton," Belle directed, just as she caught the eye of where the Commander was.

  Belle could've sworn her heart stopped right then and there.

  Commander Kaden took a seat one stool away from Lina who was peering directly at him. It just so happened Altan was strolling in their direction.

  Belle could smell a cat fight from a mile away. Or, in this case, the lion versus the tiger. Neither victory would yield a pleasant outcome.

  "The stage?" Holton encouraged, realizing her attention was drifting.

  "As you please," Belle remarked, maintaining her mature voice. She guided him through the crowd, but in the corner of her eye she anticipated the worst.

  Altan had reached the two by now…… And he did not seem pleased.