Chapter 12

However, Dave was unperturbed.

Instead, he stood quietly amidst the onslaught with his expression unreadable.

Ava's prejudice and misunderstanding of Dave also deepened.

She couldn't believe she had entertained even a flicker of belief about his words.

To her, his behaviour now seemed nothing short of desperate!

She felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration at being associated with him.

"You know," Jerry said, cutting through the laughter, "we should all have dinner together this evening after we leave the club. It'll be a nice way to unwind."

The suggestion was met with enthusiastic agreement.

However, just as the group began to settle into the idea, Dave's phone rang. It was Carl Mullen calling, so he answered the call.

The club members watched him with a mixture of amusement and disdain, convinced that this was just another ploy for attention.

"Master," Carl's voice was urgent, "my daughter's condition has suddenly worsened. I've made all the arrangements, and she