*chuckle
*snicker . . .
Eric swept the men with his vacant gaze. Some were smiling mockingly at him. Some awkwardly sipped their wine, avoiding eye contact, and most have their lips twisted in a half-smirk. A desire to put him in his place was apparent in their eyes. And Eric found himself face to face with reality. Staring face to face with the hard cold truth that this was how the world works.
Money is power.
Without it, he couldn't do anything. He couldn't buy a one-thousand-dollar ring for Evangeline much less support her extravagant, luxurious lifestyle. Without money, he couldn't protect himself much less defend her from others ridicule.
But it didn't mean he couldn't in the future.
Eric smiled, a smile that sent the hair of those who saw stood on edge.
