Everyone turned.
And froze.
The color immediately drained from Mervyn's face.
Madam Beckett's already dejected expression slowly changed as her eyes widened, a faint terror beginning to seep through them.
No one spoke.
Then, as though acting on instinct, everyone immediately stepped aside and formed a path through the dining hall, lowering their heads.
All of them, except Madam Beckett.
The approaching footsteps echoed through the grand dining hall, growing louder with every step until Clyde emerged through the grand doors....
...with Ryley at his side.
His hand was firmly wrapped around the blond's, his fingers locked tightly between Ryley's as though he feared that the moment he let go, Ryley might disappear.
And for the first time that evening, Mervyn's heart sank.
Whatever had happened at the penthouse…
It clearly hadn't gone according to his plan.
***
