Page 41 of Her Ruin

Lyndsay’s focus was razor-sharp, her jaw tensed slightly. “I see. Was this not something you assured me wouldn’t happen?”

I nodded. My palms felt clammy, but I kept my tone firm but reassuring. “I’ve already secured an alternative venue—one that will provide the exclusivity and high-profile atmosphere your event demands.”

“But the invitations have been sent,” she reminded me.

“I know, and I will incur the cost of resending them; we can say it’s a marketing trick.”

Her cool gaze turned frosty. “I don’t dotricks.”

“Poor word choice,” I muttered. “The Grand Gracemont won’t be ready,” I told her bluntly. “I will not let this event be anything less than you expect from me. It will be exactly as we discussed, just in a different venue.”

She watched me intently. “Which venue?”

“Elixir.” I didn’t pause for breath. “It’s new, recently renovated to a really high spec, it’s sought-after, exclusive, and?—”

“I know what it is.” Lyndsay watched me. “Elixir,” she repeated slowly.

“Yes,” I confirmed. I couldn’t tell if she was excited or not. “I understand that this isn’t the original plan, but the space is?—”

“You do realize I chose the hotel because I wanted acontrolledenvironment.” She spoke over me, her voice calm but definitely cool. “One that wasn’t attached to certain...reputations.”

Oh hell. I clenched my jaw. She knew Zayn. Or she knewofZayn. I wasn’t sure if that was worse.

I kept my composure. “Elixir has two levels. The upper floor, where the gala will be held, is a luxury venue that rivals any other space in The Grand Gracemont.” I folded my hands in my lap, sure if I dug my nails in much more I’d draw blood. “Your guest list includes some of the most influential names within a three-hundred-mile radius. Many of whom have already attended other high-profile events there. It’s exclusive, sleek, and, most importantly, available.”

Lyndsay didn’t speak right away. She studied me, her gaze assessing, searching for a sign that I wasn’t entirely confident in what I was saying.

I refused to waver.

Finally, she looked away, her finger tapping against her chin. “And Zayn McCabe agreed to this?”

She knew his name. Shit. I nodded. “Yes. I discussed it with him myself.”

Another pause, then a slow, knowing smirk. “And what exactly did that cost you?”

She really did know him. I didn’t let my calm demeanor slip. “A professional arrangement.”

I didn’t addbetween friends. We weren’t.

Lyndsay’s smirk deepened, but to my relief, she said nothing more. She stood, and I rose too. “Fine.”

I blinked uncertainly. “Fine?”

“Elixir it is,” she said, walking around her desk and leading me to the door. “Resend the invites; do not bill me for it. I expect my gala to be flawless, Isla. “

“It will be.”

She nodded and held the door open as I left her office. “This is your last chance, Isla.”

Turning back, I met her stare. “There will be no more mistakes,” I assured her confidently. The door closed in my face, and I let out the breath I felt I’d been holding since I walked in there.

As I walked out of the building and stepped into the street, I exhaled slowly, steadying my breath.

One hurdle down.

Now I just had to survive the next one.

Working with Zayn.

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