After the three of them walked out of The Gilded Pavilion, Ronan Fordham helped Julian Winslow into the car driven by Shalma Hughes. He then turned to Shalma and said, "Mrs. Winslow, I'll have to trouble you with this. Thea called me just now, so I..."
"It's fine," Shalma said softly. "You two are still newlyweds. I know Thea's temper; you should head back and keep her company."
"Thank you, Mrs. Winslow," Ronan said respectfully.
Shalma smiled, opened the door, and got in. She started the engine and drove off.
Watching the car disappear into the distance, Ronan muttered to himself, "Mr. Winslow, this is as much as I can help you with. You're on your own for the rest!"
As she drove, Shalma glanced sideways at the man in the passenger seat from time to time. He seemed to have already fallen fast asleep. His usually arrogant features looked somewhat subdued, illuminated clearly by the passing streetlights.
