As everyone was seemingly having a nice time, a sharp voice sounded from the other end of the hall.
"Well, well… Richard Domango finally brings a date that isn't a public scandal."
Richard didn't bother turning, but Shantel did, tilting her head with the kind of disarming grace only she could muster.
It was Vanessa Lyle, a fashion magnate known more for her acidic tongue than her business sense and unfortunately, Richard's best friend's sister.
She'd long held a petty feud with Shantel Hale, mostly fueled by jealousy and bruised ego since the day it was rumoured that Richard Domango had something to do with Shantel Hale.
But no one knew about this, not even her brother, Dominic or Richard whom she'd been secretly crushing on for years.
Tonight, though, Vanessa saw a threat of a different kind, because… this woman looked even more dangerous than Shantel Hale.