My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 209

Emily Blair walked over with an icy expression, her presence enough to send the group of gossiping girls scrambling away as if she were contagious.

The dining hall was nearly empty when she entered. She picked up a tray and took a seat by the window, absentmindedly eating while watching the steady stream of traffic below.

A sleek Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of the hotel, catching her eye for reasons she couldn’t explain. She watched as a valet hurried to open the doors, and Andrew Lane stepped out, followed closely by Isabella Austin. Isabella instantly moved to his side, slipping her arm around his and leaning in with practiced intimacy.

They looked like the perfect couple—handsome, elegant, utterly well-matched.

Only when the pair disappeared from sight did Emily finally look away. She ate in silence, the hush in the restaurant so complete that voices from several tables away carried clearly.

“I heard Mr. Lane and Isabella Austin are getting engaged soon. Her parents are coming to meet his family next week—they’re just waiting to set a date.”

“Didn’t you know? They were supposed to get engaged before, but apparently Emily Blair messed things up. Now they’re planning to redo the whole thing.”

“It’s always Emily Blair, isn’t it? She’s everywhere.”

“If I were Isabella, I’d use Mr. Lane’s influence to make sure Emily Blair never got to compete again. She’s only here because they’re so generous.”

“I heard Mr. Lane canceled a ton of work just to stay here and support Isabella during the competition. And the two of them are even sharing a room.”

“So, at night, do you think they…”

Emily stared straight ahead, their words turning the food in her mouth to ashes. Suddenly, she had no appetite at all. She set down her fork, closed her eyes for a moment, then pushed back her chair and stood up to leave.

“Where are you going?”

She blinked in surprise.

Inside was a sprawling pool, dozens of men and women in swimsuits, dripping wet, wrapped in towels and balancing drinks as they mingled and laughed. By the speakers, a cluster of scantily dressed partygoers pressed close, bodies moving together in a sultry, heated dance.

The pool was full of people, and everywhere she looked, tanned bodies gleamed under the lights.

Emily realized with a start exactly where Alex had brought her. She tried to grip the doorframe, but he was faster, pulling her inside before she could protest.

The doors swung shut behind them.

Alex finally released her wrist and grinned, standing at her side. “Emily, you’ve been working yourself ragged for the competition. Why not let loose for a bit? Come on. Have some fun.”