They''d barely had a moment alone before Carolyn''s call came in.

    Joshua shot Allison''s phone a frosty look. "Don''t answer."

    Allison gave him a pointed nce. "We''re here for her birthday party, remember?"

    She picked up anyway.

    Carolyn sounded bubbly as ever, not a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Allie, you two can''t hide in your room all night! Come out and have some fun. I just saw Olivia and Sabrina-they''re here already."

    "Okay, we''ll be right there."

    Allison ended the call and turned to Joshua. "Let''s go. Olivia and Sabrina just got here."

    Joshua''s mood had clearly cooled, his face unreadable. He just grunted, "Mm,” not bothering to hide hisck of enthusiasm.

    Downstairs, the main hall was huge, the kind of ce that made you feel small, with a massive crystal chandelier glittering overhead. People gathered in small clusters,ughing, sses clinking, everyone already settling into party mode.

    Thest guests had just arrived, and the yacht was slipping away from the dock, the city lights shrinking in the distance.

    Joshua''s phone went off. He nced at the screen. "Allie, I need to take this. Go find the others-I''ll catch up."

    She nodded, "Okay," and let him go.

    Allison headed toward the heart of the party, scanning the crowd for Carolyn. No sign of her-it made sense, though, since the birthday girl was probably busy greeting everyone. Olivia and Sabrina weren''t around either.

    She reached for her phone, nning to text Olivia and see where they were. Before she could type a word, someone shoved her hard from behind.

    Caught off guard and wobbling in heels, Allison staggered, about to go down- until a steady pair of hands caught her.

    "Thanks," she said, breathless.

    "No problem," came a warm, familiar voice.

    She looked up, surprised. Watson.

    What was he doing here?

    He seemed to read her mind and smiled. "Ms. Witt invited me."

    Allison nodded. That

    tracked-Carolyn had said she invited a bunch of people this year some friends, some

    friendsof-friends. Watson''s firm had done cases for Carolyn''spany before, so it wasn''t strange they''d crossed paths.

    Whether he was here for Carolyn or for her, it all made sense.

    She straightened up with his help. "Thanks again."

    Watson let go, stepping back politely, all calm and gentlemanly. "You don''t need to thank me. Not for something like this."

    Suddenly, a shrill, mocking voice rang out behind her. "Well, if it isn''t my fake sister! Didn''t think you could actually make it onto a yacht like this. Guess I underestimated you, huh?"

    ef

    Allison spun around to find Lottie, arms crossed, ring at her and shooting Watson a look of pure disdain. I mean, a broke girl like you? Of course-you must''ve charmed your way in with a guy. Figures."

    Allison''s expression hardened, her voice dropping cold. "Looks like a night in

    holding wasn''t enough to teach you a lesson."

    Lottie''s face twisted at the reminder.

    Thest incident at the mall still

    stung, and she''d been seething

    about it ever since. If Trayson hadn''t

    used his connections to get them

    out, she''d probably still be stuck in that cell.