Reborn to Ruin Him novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: The Champagne Tray

Gabriel took Rosalind home from the boutique without saying a word to either of us.

I did not follow. For the first time in two weeks, nobody had told me where to go.

I took a cab across the city to the catering company that had served the banquet.

Its office was a cramped room over a bakery, and its manager was a heavy man in a stained white jacket.

"Miss Lockwood," he said, standing up too fast. "We heard about the hospital. Whatever you need."

"The night of the banquet," I said. "I want to know who handled the champagne at the head table."

He hesitated.

"The CEO's glass in particular," I said. "Somebody put something in it."

His face crumpled.

"Miss Lockwood, I swear on my children. My staff never touched his glass."

"I believe you. I'm not here to blame you." I sat down across from him. "I'm here to find out who did."

He rubbed his forehead and pulled a ledger from the shelf.

"The head table was done by the book," he said. "Twelve flutes, one bottle. Then at twenty to nine there was a change."

"What change?"

"A call to my cell. A private bottle was coming for Mr. Lockwood, a gift, and it was to go on his tray in place of the house champagne."

"Who called?"

"Mr. Hightower's office." He tapped the page. "His assistant. I wrote it down, because I thought, why would the COO's office send wine?"

My heartbeat slowed and grew very loud.

"And who brought the private bottle?"

"A man in a gray suit. He had a key to the wine cellar. I thought he was staff of yours."

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