Chapter 192

• Standing outside a dimly lit, second-rate bar, Lily frowned, her unease evident. “Why did you bring me here?” she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion. A quick glance at the establishment made it clear it wasn’t the sort of place she’d expect someone like Ethan to frequent. The lively yet questionable atmosphere seemed out of sync with his typically refined demeanor.
• Ethan smiled, his hand gently encasing hers. “Come inside, and you’ll find out.” Without waiting for her consent, he led her through the entrance.
• Inside, the bar buzzed with life. Patrons of various ages crowded the space, their conversations blending with the clinking of glasses and pulsating music. Waiters and waitresses weaved through the throng, their attire deliberately suggestive, catering to the uninhibited crowd. To Lily, it felt like a far cry from the upscale venues she was accustomed to.