Chapter 5

By the time Alex showed up at the hotel, dawn was breaking.

He had changed into a black shirt, with a bandage on his lip, and two friends followed close behind.

He stepped into the ballroom, his gaze locking onto Charlotte. "Charlotte, come with me."

Charlotte stood frozen, her fingers wringing the hem of her dress.

Victoria grabbed her arm, her voice sharp with panic. "Don't you dare take another step."

But Alex acted like he didn't hear a word, walking straight up to me. "Edward, I set the whole thing up. She was there because I asked her to.…