Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison
Chapter 18

Outside the club, two burly bodyguards stood by the entrance.

Dalton was about to lead Lydia inside when the guards abruptly blocked their path with their arms.

Dalton's expression turned icy. He shot a cold glare at the guards, his voice sharp. "My uncle asked us here. What's the hold-up?"

The guards, towering and unyielding, spoke with a chill in their voices. "I need to report this inside first."

Annoyed, Dalton was about to lose his cool when Lydia gently lugged on his sleeve.

Sensing Chandler was likely trying to make things difficult for her, she gave the guards a warm, if slightly strained, smile. "It's alright if I wait here. Can you let Dalton go in?" The night air had turned sharply cold after the rain, and the draft at the club's entrance made it even worse.

Lydia, wearing a sleek satin dress, was visibly shivering, her nose reddening from the chill.

The guard was unmoved by her plea and responded firmly, "No."

Dalton's face turned stormy.

Frustrated and without a clear outlet for his anger, he watched the guard disappear into the club, leaving them out in the cold.

Finally, after more than ten minutes, the guard reappeared.

"Alright, you can go in now."

Dalton strode forward, casting a warning glare at the guard, but the guard remained impassive, staring straight ahead.

As the guard was Chandler's man, Dalton decided to let it go.

Inside the private room, Chandler was deep into a card game with Dante and a few others. He didn't even glance up when Dalton and Lydia walked in.

"Uncle Chandler." Dalton greeted, trying to keep his tone steady. "I've brought Lydia."

Just then, Dante won a hand and erupted in celebration, his loud cheer drowning out Dalton's voice.

Dalton's frustration boiled over. His mood, already sour, grew darker.

Lydia clung to his arm, silently urging him to stay composed.

Another round of cards had just ended, and it had been twenty minutes since they'd arrived.

Dalton decided it was time to speak up. "Uncle Chandler, if you have any issues, take them up with me. Don't make things difficult for Lydia."

Before Chandler could reply, Dante's voice rang out with a mocking edge. "Oh, look at you, playing the knight in shining armor. You two must have quite the thing going on!" Lydia's face flushed, but she knew better than to provoke Dante.

The Paltrow family was not someone she could afford to cross, even without the added complication of their connection to Chandler.

Chandler lounged casually on the couch, and Dante quickly caught the cue. Tossing aside his cards, he wrapped an arm around Dalton's shoulders.

"Dalton, I heard you've got some great wine stashed here. Let's go check it out."

It was clear that Dante was trying to sideline Dalton.

Dalton hesitated, not wanting to leave Lydia alone with the potential trouble.

He said, "Mr. Paltrow, how about this? I'll have the wine brought here so we can enjoy it in the room. Is that alright?"

Dante glanced over at Chandler. "Alright, that works."

Dante plopped back onto the couch and pointed at Lydia. "Then let your lover pour the drinks."

Dalton's face hardened. "Please watch your tongue!"

The other guests in the room looked on with growing interest,

clearly enjoying the unfolding d

Lydia's fingers were digging into her palms, but she forced at composed smile despite the uncomfortable situation.

She knew she had to endure.

As the tension in the room escalated, Chandler's cold voice sliced through the air. "If you want to drink, do it over there. She stays."

Lydia's eyes widened in surprise, and she turned to Dalton with a look of helplessness.

With Chandler's order given, Dalton knew better than to argue, though he felt a pang of guilt seeing Lydia's eyes well up.

"Uncle Chandler, what do you need to discuss? Would you mind I stay here too?"

Chandler finally lifted his gaze, his eyes narrowed. "We're discussing Celestial Ventures Group's project. Since when do you get a say in the family business?"