Her words stung, but before I could retort, Vernon’s attention shifted to the man, fury in his gaze.
"You! Speak!" Vernon commanded.
The man hesitated, his eyes flicking nervously to me before he spoke.
"She gave me this note and told me to come to this lounge."
"I didn’t write that note," I began, but Riley snatched the paper from my hand before I could finish.
"Sister, there’s no point denying it. Just admit your mistake and apologize to Vernon."
"What mistake have I made?" I snapped, but my voice was drowned out by the growing crowd outside the lounge door, drawn in by the commotion.
Vernon had always been obsessed with his reputation. Given the situation, he must’ve already convinced himself that I had betrayed him—and in front of everyone, no less.
"Come home with me."
Vernon grabbed my wrist, his grip like iron.
"Vernon, wake up! This hotel is lined with surveillance cameras. If you want the truth, just check the footage!"
"And if you had bothered to look at the note Riley took from me, you'd already know what's going on."
"The handwriting on it isn’t mine—it’s Riley’s!"
I could feel the frustration building, my words desperate as I tried to explain everything.