The Gilded Lotus was widely recognized as the most exclusive club in Imperia. People who came here rarely did so just to eat, and the people in their private room were certainly no exception. After Shawn Warren made the introductions, the scene devolved. His group ordered food and drinks, and once everything was served, Mr. Linden and the other men each had a beautiful woman in their arms. With cigarettes dangling from their lips, they drank and smoked, occasionally planting a kiss on the faces of the women they held.
Olivia Wynne and William Wynne sat off to one side. One kept her head down, eating, while the other wore a forbidding expression. They seemed completely out of place in the room.
The girl in Mr. Linden's arms wrapped one hand around his waist and used the other to lift a glass to his lips. In a sweet, coquettish voice, she cooed, "Mr. Linden, time for a drink."
Although Mr. Linden mentally reminded himself that some people were off-limits, his lecherous eyes kept darting toward Olivia Wynne.
When Mr. Linden didn't respond, the girl, Ivy, looked up and saw his gaze fixed intently in one direction. She was all too familiar with that kind of look.
To her, Mr. Linden was old, but he was rich and a big shot in the entertainment industry. Latching onto him could be her ticket to stardom, and she wasn't about to let anyone ruin her plans.
With this in mind, Ivy discreetly sized up Olivia Wynne for a moment. Seeing that Olivia was just keeping her head down and eating, the hostility in her eyes lessened somewhat. But when her gaze swept past Olivia to William Wynne beside her, Ivy froze.
After a moment's hesitation, Ivy turned back and tugged on Mr. Linden's clothes.
Ivy didn't notice that in the instant she turned away, Olivia Wynne, who had been engrossed in her food, lifted her head and shot her a glance before lowering her head to eat again.
Ivy clutched Mr. Linden's arm and said in a flirtatious voice, "Mr. Linden, look, that gentleman hasn't had a single drink since he arrived. Shouldn't we offer him a toast?"
The moment Ivy finished speaking, the room fell silent for an instant. Then, everyone at the table—except for Shawn Warren, Leo Reid, and Olivia Wynne—went back to what they were doing before.
Mr. Linden had actually noticed William Wynne from the beginning, but since Shawn Warren hadn't formally introduced him, they all had the sense not to ask. Now that the girl at his side had brought it up, Mr. Linden's eyes narrowed slightly, his shrewd gaze quietly sizing up Ivy.
It didn't take long for Ivy to lower her head guiltily, unable to meet Mr. Linden's gaze.
Seeing her reaction, Mr. Linden picked up his glass and turned to William Wynne. "Sir, do you drink? Allow me to offer you a toast."
He might be wealthy, but in a place like Imperia, there was no shortage of wealthy people. Besides, Mr. Warren was hosting tonight. And who was Mr. Warren? A young master from Imperia's high society. It went without saying that his friends were also rich and powerful. Therefore, Mr. Linden understood perfectly well that he could only befriend the people Shawn Warren brought along.
Mr. Linden had phrased it to give William Wynne plenty of face; it was fine whether he drank or not.
William Wynne rarely drank at social engagements, but today, with a sidelong glance at Olivia Wynne, he accepted Mr. Linden's drink.
"I'll down this. You can do as you please."
As soon as he spoke, he drained the glass in his hand.
Seeing William Wynne drink Mr. Linden's toast, Mr. Warren was struck with an idea. He turned to Olivia Wynne beside William and raised his glass. "Miss Wynne, you can't just eat the whole time you're here. Their wine is quite good. Come on, shall we have a drink together?"