Insiders spill on femme fatale socialite’s trip to Dubai with a Rich Lister… Plus, mayor’s shag pad for sale – and pharma bro’s NYC dash to win back model: THE GROUP CHAT

Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia’s most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip BEFORE it makes the news.

A billion-dollar romance

It may have been a quiet summer on the society circuit, but not for femme fatale Emma Steel – who I revealed last week has bagged herself a ‘cashed-up’ new man.

Now, sources tell me the professional socialite’s boyfriend is a bona fide billionaire – quite the step up the social ladder for Ms Steel, whose usual type is wealthy doctors.

It’s understood she rang in the New Year with her mysterious Mr Moneybags in the billionaires’ playground of Dubai.

Ms Steel and her children reportedly flew first class before checking into the ultra-luxury beach resort Atlantis The Royal, taking up residence in the hotel’s crown jewel: The Royal Mansion penthouse.

The two-level, four-bedroom penthouse floats high above the Palm, complete with an infinity pool, outdoor kitchen, private lift, 24/7 butler service, library and bar – making it one of the most exclusive stays in the world.

Luxury like this doesn’t come cheap. A single night reportedly costs $150,000, with a five-night minimum over the holidays when guests enjoy uninterrupted views of Dubai’s legendary New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Last year, the couple also holidayed in Fiji – the private-island, fly-in-by-seaplane kind of jaunt, not the wristband-and-buffet variety.

But for Ms Steel’s new squeeze, it’s a drop in the ocean.

While I’m still firming up a few details about this man – including whether the marriage still listed on his Wikipedia is legally dissolved or languishing in a long separation – I can reveal he’s a serial investor who made his fortune in tech and property.

And he’s a familiar name to the scribes of the Australian Financial Review’s Rich List.

The new romance follows Ms Steel’s relationship with Lamborghini-driving cosmetic surgeon Dr Alireza Fallahi, which began shortly after a magistrate found that she had wrongly accused her neurosurgeon ex-husband, Dr Timothy Steel, of assault.

Ms Steel had alleged that Dr Steel punched, slapped and kicked her in the couple’s eastern suburbs home – but in 2020, a court ruled that her evidence was inconsistent and all charges were dismissed.

At the time, Dr Steel’s solicitor, Paul McGirr, had described Ms Steel as a witness of ‘very little credit’ and an ‘unhinged person’ who made up allegations against her husband.

‘In relation to her, she will make up anything to suit herself,’ Mr McGirr said.

At the time, footage tendered to court showed Ms Steel nagging Dr Steel about money, despite being given $24,000 a month for personal and household expenses and a full-time nanny.

‘You drip-feed me,’ she said to her then-husband in the video.

‘$24,000 a month!’ Dr Steel replied. Ms Steel then protested: ‘Big deal. You’re on six million or four million dollars a year, Tim.’

The magistrate’s decision – and the withering defence offered by Dr Steel’s lawyers – captivated Sydney’s society pages, earning her a reputation that has kept her name in gossip columns ever since.

Pap king’s shag pad

Former paparazzo-turned-Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons is launching an expression-of-interest campaign on his eastern suburbs bolthole at The Horizon.

Located in the iconic Harry Seidler-designed tower, Lyons’ fully renovated two-bedder has been dubbed ‘Sydney’s sexiest apartment’. 

‘Sleaziest’ may be more accurate.

Designed like a Barbie Dream House crossed with a brothel, it features a see‑through pink bathtub, crystal light fixtures and ceiling mirrors in both boudoirs – my personal favourite touch.

I’m told the fake-ab-sporting reality star – who rose to fame in the UK as the owner of photo agency Big Pictures, which famously scored shots exposing David Beckham‘s affair with Rebecca Loos – has been clocking up serious time overseas lately, which may explain why he’s suddenly entertaining the idea of offloading the apartment.

After all, when you’re rarely at home, who really needs a translucent bathtub? 

The Horizon has long attracted a roll call of big egos. Former residents include Jacki Weaver, Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin and the late Harry M. Miller. 

But the undisputed queen of the building is media heiress Francesca Packer-Barham, who reigns from a sub-penthouse on the 40th floor.

You’ll know she’s home by the collection of hot-pink, flashy wheels parked downstairs – impossible to miss and very on brand.

Fronting the potential sale are Mitchell Farah of First Hand Property and Conor Howard of NG Farah, who are tasked with finding a buyer who appreciates pink marble and enjoys watching themselves have sex.

Love it or loathe it, one thing’s certain: Lyons’ Horizon hideaway is unapologetically provocative – just like its owner.

Society engagement

Love is in the air for lawyer-turned-fashion entrepreneur Alyce Tran, who recently became engaged to Englishman Rob Simpkins.

Alyce co-founded monogramming brand The Daily Edited, before selling her 50 per cent stake to former business partner Tania Liu ahead of its eventual downfall. She went on to join the global influencer platform LTK (formerly known as RewardStyle).

That move took her to London, where fate stepped in.

It was there that Alyce – who is the older sister of stylist-to-the-stars Caroline Tran – met Rob, the chief marketing officer of Roc Nation Sports International.

Having known Alyce on the social circuit for years, I briefly met her now-fiancé last year at Opera Bar, where she was proudly playing tour guide. The chemistry was unmistakable. 

Fast forward to the holidays, Rob made things official, dropping to one knee on December 12 with a heart-shaped diamond sparkler at McKell Park in Darling Point — recreating their first date in Regent’s Park in London. 

The couple are expected to tie the knot in London, with Rob set to relocate to Sydney later this year.

During the New Year’s period, the newly engaged couple celebrated in style, partying alongside society darling Deborah Symond O’Neil, Bernadette Fahey, Lou O’Neil and designer Michael Lo Sordo at ‘Aussie John’ Symond‘s Point Piper trophy home, where they enjoyed front-row views of the fireworks.

Pharma bro’s NYC dash

Model Kristen Apollos is said to be back on with her on-again, off-again flame Luke Calpis – the man best known for being the ex-husband of Sophie Curtis… who herself is best known for being the sister of Roxy Jacenko‘s husband Oliver Curtis.

Yes, it’s a small world in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Sources tell me the fun-loving model quietly called time on the romance before packing her bags for New York – but it appears distance only made the heart grow fonder.

Calpis turned up stateside ‘around Thanksgiving’ in a bold bid to win her back, and by all accounts, he’s planning to stick around.

Once a fixture of the Sydney scene, Calpis appears to have undergone a Dan Bilzerian-style makeover since founding macho telehealth platform ‘Primal Zone’.

His company facilitates prescriptions for testosterone replacement therapy, and claims to have ‘helped over 10,000 men reach their potential’. Very alpha.

Apollos has form when it comes to high-profile romances. She previously dated English portfolio manager Dave Katz, though their relationship imploded three years ago after a blazing row at their Ibiza villa.

Calpis and Sophie split years ago. Sophie has remained single ever since, throwing herself into business.

Her father, former Macquarie banker Nick Curtis, is said to have backed her ambitions by buying a stake on her behalf in luxury PR firm BLACK Communications.

As for Apollos and Calpis? If sources are to be believed, the New York reunion is very much on – and this particular saga may be far from over.

New to DailyMail+? Here are our most-read stories from the last week

Chumpy Pullin’s dad reveals heartbreaking rift with his late son’s partner Ellidy that has torn him away from his only grandchild – and the ‘hurtful’ suggestion that triggered their estrangement

Unlocked iPad blows up a society marriage… Plus, showdown between two of AFL’s most powerful women – and the Silvagnis’ curious living arrangement after son’s shame: COSTELLO’S MELBOURNE

I think I’ve discovered Tess Crosley’s true agenda after the Lachie Neale scandal. I know you’re reading… if this really is your plan, I promise it won’t end well for you: JANA HOCKING

Shocking suspicions about celebrity dentist Dr David Hurst’s sudden death at a casino revealed a year later – as we track down his elusive widow at $8million home

Regrets? He’s had a few: It’s all over for Lachie Neale as he moves into bachelor pad after his wife Jules left him… as we uncover telling post from the woman at the centre of their divorce

Dark secrets at the heart of one of Australia’s most elite schools: Behind the castle-like buildings, ex-students tell of horrors that left them broken men. Now the dam is about to burst

What cocaine has done to the men of my generation is a tragedy. Humiliation in the bedroom, pity from their friends. Then days ago, a terrifying confession…