For several seconds after the door closed, no one in the VIP section moved.
The music in the club roared on as if nothing unusual had happened. Bass pulsed through the floor, lights flashed across the dance floor, and people laughed loudly over drinks.
But at Ethan's table, everything had gone strangely quiet.
Every pair of eyes remained fixed on the hallway where Stephanie and the man had disappeared.
No one seemed to breathe.
Finally, someone let out a slow whistle.
"Well," one of the guys muttered. "That escalated quickly."
A nervous laugh followed from one of the girls.
"Did she seriously just do that?"
Another leaned forward, resting her elbows on the glass table.
"She didn't even hesitate."
Someone else snorted.
"I thought he'd reject her."
"Same."
A guy across the table shook his head slowly.
"That's what everyone thought."
Because everyone in that group knew exactly who that man was.
And he was not someone who entertained drunken dares from university kids in nightclubs.
One of Ethan's friends ran a hand through his hair.
"Does she even know who she picked?"
"No chance," another replied.
"If she knew, she would've never walked up to him like that."
A small silence fell again.
Then someone finally glanced toward Ethan.
And immediately regretted it.
The expression on his face had completely changed.
The relaxed amusement from earlier had disappeared.
His jaw was tight.
His eyes were dark.
And they were still fixed on the hallway.
No one spoke.
No one joked.
They all knew better than to tease him right now.
Another girl shifted awkwardly in her seat.
"Relax," she said carefully. "It's just the dare."
No response.
Another guy added quickly,
"Yeah… seven minutes. That's it."
Someone tried to laugh.
"Honestly, he's probably giving her a lecture right now."
The joke died halfway through.
Because none of them really believed that anymore.
They had all seen what happened.
The man hadn't looked annoyed.
He hadn't looked offended.
Instead…
He had taken her hand.
And walked away with her.
Ethan suddenly stood.
The movement was so sudden that his chair scraped loudly against the floor.
Everyone jumped slightly.
He didn't look at them.
Didn't say a word.
He simply turned and started walking toward the hallway.
His stride was long and purposeful, cutting through the crowded club floor.
People instinctively moved aside when they saw the look on his face.
Behind him, the group exchanged nervous looks.
"Uh…"
One guy rubbed the back of his neck.
"Should someone stop him?"
A girl shook her head quickly.
"You stop him."
"No thanks."
Meanwhile, Ethan had already reached the hallway.
The moment he stepped away from the main room, the music became slightly quieter.
But the anger inside him only seemed to grow.
His uncle.
Out of everyone in the club…
She had chosen him.
The thought burned in his chest.
The door at the end of the hallway came into view.
A small golden plaque was fixed to it.
Private Lounge
Ethan didn't slow down.
He reached the door and grabbed the handle.
But before he could open it—
Two figures stepped forward.
The bodyguards had been standing silently against the walls of the hallway, almost invisible in the dim lighting.
Now they moved into position.
Blocking the door.
Ethan stopped.
His grip tightened slightly on the handle.
Slowly, he turned his head toward them.
"Move."
His voice was cold.
The guards didn't move.
One of them spoke calmly.
"I'm sorry, sir."
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"You know who I am."
"Yes, sir."
The other guard nodded respectfully.
"We do."
Ethan let out a short laugh.
But there was no humour in it.
"Good."
He gestured toward the door.
"Then move."
Neither guard stepped aside.
"We can't do that."
The hallway suddenly felt colder.
Ethan stared at them.
"You can't?"
The guard held his gaze steadily.
"No, sir."
Ethan took a step closer.
"I'm the young master of the McKenna family."
"We know."
"Then why are you still standing there?"
The guard answered without hesitation.
"We were given strict instructions."
Ethan's patience snapped instantly.
"Instructions from who?"
The guard didn't hesitate.
"You know who, sir."
Behind Ethan, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
His friends had finally followed him.
They stopped a few metres away, watching the scene carefully.
One of them whispered under his breath.
"Oh shit…"
Another muttered quietly,
"This isn't good."
Because they all understood what that meant.
If the guards were refusing Ethan…
Then the person inside that room had given the order.
Ethan looked back at the door.
Then at the guards again.
"You're telling me," he said slowly, "that I can't walk into that room?"
"Not right now, sir."
Ethan's jaw clenched.
"And why exactly not?"
The guard remained calm.
"Because no one is allowed inside."
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"No one?"
"Yes."
The guard paused briefly.
Then added quietly,
"Not even you, sir."
The words echoed in the narrow hallway.
Behind Ethan, someone inhaled sharply.
The group exchanged stunned looks.
They had never seen anyone deny Ethan access to anything.
Ever.
But tonight…
Even he was being stopped.
Ethan looked at the door again.
His expression hardened.
"You're telling me," he said slowly, "that I can't enter a room in a club my family practically owns?"
The guard shook his head slightly.
"Not while he's inside."
The hallway went silent.
Ethan didn't need them to say the name.
He already knew.
Inside that room…
His uncle was alone with Stephanie.
His girlfriend.
The thought sent a sharp surge of anger through him.
Behind him, one of the girls whispered nervously.
"Maybe we should just wait…"
Another nodded quickly.
"It's only seven minutes."
A guy muttered,
"Yeah… this might not be a good idea."
Ethan ignored them.
His eyes remained locked on the door.
Every second felt longer.
The hallway seemed unusually quiet compared to the chaos of the club outside.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
They all waited.
Then—
A soft sound broke the silence.
Click.
The door handle moved.
Every head in the hallway turned instantly.
The guards straightened slightly but didn't step away.
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
Slowly…
The door began to open.
And the entire group held their breath.