Madeleine Riley shrugged. "We just weren't right for each other, so we called it quits."

Oliver Monroe replied gently, "I don't know exactly what went down between you two, but it's clear you weren't meant to be. You're strong, and maybe this is for the best. You don't want to carry that kind of baggage around anyway."

Madeleine nodded quietly, leaving it at that. Nicholas had set her up to take the fall for him, but she didn't want to drag all that ugliness into the open. Oliver had always been supportive, and she refused to let the messy details of her relationship with Nicholas overshadow his welcome party.

Their conversation cut short when Jacqueline Riley's voice sliced through the air.

"Sis, we're playing King's Cup. Come join us!" she chirped with fake innocence, then pouted. "After all, this is Oliver's welcome party. You wouldn't want to spoil the fun, right? Besides, I'd rather play with you than a bunch of dumb boys."

Madeleine's brow furrowed. She didn't want to make a scene at Oliver's party, but she knew exactly what the game's dares could lead to...

Nicholas Hawkins sauntered over and, with forced calm, took her hand. His eyes were unreadable. "Madeleine, you can't hold your liquor. Don't make this a thing. Just admit you lost and I'll take your drink if you don't want the dare."

Madeleine yanked her hand back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "No need. I can handle the game just fine."

Jacqueline had assumed Madeleine was still allergic to alcohol and that losing the drinking game would force her into a truth-or-dare. But what she didn't know was that during Madeleine's time in detention, some of the other detainees had smuggled in booze. Madeleine had gone through hell with allergic reactions, but she'd pushed through and built up a tolerance.

Round after round, Madeleine managed to stay under the radar—until the final round, when she couldn't dodge a dare.

Jacqueline held the King card and smiled sweetly, her voice laced with challenge. "This is my sister we're talking about, so you guys can't go too hard on her. How about you just tell us what detention was like?"

For a moment, silence fell over the room.

Oliver's brow furrowed as he stepped in. "That's crossing the line, Jacqueline. I'll take Madeleine's dare myself."

Nicholas's eyes snapped up, irritation flashing as he glanced between Madeleine and Oliver. Oliver was known for his integrity, always playing the protective older brother. If work hadn't kept him away from the city, Madeleine and Oliver might have been even closer. And that closeness had always made Nicholas jealous.

Jacqueline wasn't satisfied. "But sis said she could handle it, Oliver. Don't be so obviously biased."

Then some guy chimed in with a crude jab. "Yeah, let her talk! I've heard women who come out of detention are never the same. You still pure, Madeleine? How about stripping down so we can find out?"

"That's right, sis. We're all family here. And with your engagement to Nicholas coming up, better to clear up any rumors now so everyone can feel good. Right, Nicholas?"

Madeleine looked at Nicholas. He just watched the spectacle with casual detachment, like he was amused by the drama and certain she'd eventually cave.

The room buzzed with taunts—all of them eager to expose her, to see if she'd been "tainted."

Oliver's expression darkened, and he was about to intervene when Madeleine suddenly grabbed a wine bottle and smashed it over the head of the guy who'd suggested inspecting her.

Glass flew everywhere.

Madeleine snatched a jagged shard, shoved Jacqueline against the table with one hand, and pressed the sharp edge to her throat. Her voice was ice-cold. "Curious about detention? Go find out for yourself."

She gave Nicholas a scathing glance, her lips curling in mockery. "Oh, and your precious Nicholas didn't tell you? I dumped him."

"Madeleine, have you lost your damn mind?" the bleeding guy shouted furiously, while Jacqueline squirmed in the humiliating hold, careful not to move too much against the glass at her neck.

Madeleine's grip stayed firm, keeping Jacqueline pinned exactly where she wanted her.

"Sis, we're like family here! It was just a joke. Did you seriously break up with Nicholas over this?" Jacqueline was still stirring the pot, even now.

Madeleine snorted and pressed harder, making Jacqueline cry out. Finally, Nicholas stepped forward, looking ready to shove Madeleine off.

"Take one more step, and I might not be so careful," Madeleine said, her voice stopping him cold.

Nicholas froze, a hint of worry creeping into his usually confident gaze.

"Madeleine, do you have any idea what you're doing? If you hurt someone, you'll end up right back in detention," he urged, sounding like he was concerned for her freedom. But his eyes were locked on Jacqueline, exposing his real worry.

Madeleine saw right through him, and the bitterness twisted in her chest. She'd been so blind before, never seeing Nicholas's true feelings for Jacqueline. Now, with her heart hardened and her illusions shattered, she realized she'd been nothing more than a pawn in his pursuit of Jacqueline.

But it wasn't too late.

"What's the plan now, Nicholas? Trick me again just to get me locked up?" Madeleine's tone was glacial.

Nicholas blinked, stunned. "Nicholas?" She only used his full name back when she first returned to the Rileys. Since they started dating, she'd always called him something softer.

His fists clenched, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

And what kind of "trick" was she talking about? Had she uncovered his long-running deception? Panic surged through him, along with a sudden, desperate need to explain himself.