The Night Before
When Brett arrived at Sutton's apartment, his usual air of smug confidence was displaced by impatience and irritation. He had expected Sutton to be compliant, cowed by his threat to reveal the truth about Brandon's parentage. But up till now, she had not done as he had asked.
He found her in the same spot as before, perched on the velvet chaise lounge, a glass of champagne in hand. The opulent surroundings, which he had previously perceived as a symbol of his impending victory, now seemed to mock him, a reminder of the wealth and power that remained just out of his grasp.
"Sutton," he greeted her, his voice carefully neutral. He did not want to appear agitated, but the tension was palpable.
Sutton looked up, her expression cool and composed. She took a slow sip of her champagne, her eyes fixed on him. "Brett," she acknowledged, her voice smooth but laced with a subtle undercurrent of defiance.
