Estelle turned to Lambert with a pleading look. "Could you do me a favor?"
Lambert chuckled, eyeing her outfit. "For you, in this get-up? Anything." He passed her his glass. "Here, knock this back first!"
She took the drink and downed it in one go.
His eyes gleamed with amusement. "Alright, spill it. What do you need?"
"Can you help me rescue that girl over there?" Estelle asked, nodding towards a young woman across the room.
Lambert glanced over. "The same one you saved yesterday?"
He frowned. "You know, I'd remind you that you’ve already played the hero once."
To him, rescuing someone once was an act of compassion, which was understandable. But if the same person kept finding trouble, well, that was just plain foolishness. Not worth a second save.
He raised an eyebrow at Estelle. "I don't need a bodyguard who's all heart and no brains."
Estelle was unphased. "I've got my reasons. If you won't help, I'll handle it myself."
"You trying to goad me?" Lambert said, each word deliberate.
"No!" Estelle shook her head and rushed towards the stage.
Lambert caught up, grabbing her arm with a resigned sigh. "Fine, I'll do it. Just stay put!"
She spoke calmly, "Bring her back to the house. We'll meet there in fifteen."
"Where are you off to?" he asked.
"Changing clothes!" She tossed the words over her shoulder as she disappeared into the crowd.
"You'll stay here tonight," Estelle said. "I'll have someone take you away tomorrow."
Evelyn shook her head vehemently. "No, I won't leave. I found my boyfriend here. I saw him!"
Estelle's voice was indifferent. "But he doesn't seem willing to see you."
Evelyn paused, realization dawning. "You were there too. That's why... it was you who saved me."
Mumbling to herself, she looked up at Estelle with a steely gaze. "Now that I've found him, I won't just walk away. I need to find out what's going on with him here. Maybe he's being forced!"
"That's what I said – she's clueless!" Lambert strolled in from the dining area, nursing a glass of wine.
Evelyn jumped, eyeing Lambert warily. "And who are you?"
Her recent ordeals had left her suspicious of everyone.
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