CHAPTER 57: Simple Payment

For the first time, Erin felt an unfamiliar wave of nerves despite knowing she hadn't committed any wrongdoing.

You know that feeling when summoned to the principal's office, yet you're innocent?

Gathering her courage, Erin addressed Orion, "What brings you here?"

"I was invited. You should be the one I'm asking what you're doing here and why you're with James O'Sullivan," he countered, his tone laced with an interrogator's precision as though she were under suspicion.

"He invited me to this event."

"And why is that?"

Erin was annoyed by Orion's consecutive questions. Did she need to explain why she was with the Irish mob? Why was she here at the party? And wasn't it just two days ago that his marriage to another woman was made public?

"I don't need to give a reason to a business partner, Mr. Arvesso," she brushed past him after glaring at him.

"Did you have a romantic involvement with James?" she heard him press. "Is Lacey his daughter?"

Erin stood stunned, her thou