Chapter 76

Vivian's thoughts were still tangled when Audrey grabbed her purse and vanished like a shadow slipping through the night.

Left alone in the dimly lit room, Vivian sank deeper into the plush chair. Her head spun violently, the world tilting like a ship caught in a tempest. The expensive champagne churned in her stomach as she found herself surrounded by unfamiliar male faces. The irritation she'd been suppressing all evening flared to life with fresh intensity.

One of the gigolos, emboldened by her solitude, swaggered toward her. He moved with the cocky assurance of a discount Adrian, all smoldering looks without the substance. Leaning far too close, his whiskey-laced breath ghosted across her ear. "Need a ride home, beautiful?"

The stench of alcohol made her recoil, but the liquor had stolen her strength, leaving her trapped in a hazy paralysis.

Mistaking her silence for consent, his fingers crept up her thigh with practiced ease. The velvet touch sent revulsion skittering down her spine.

This establishment catered to wealthy older women and clients with particular tastes. A young, stunning woman like Vivian was an unexpected prize. The man clearly saw her as his golden ticket to better prospects.

His touch sliced through her drunken fog like a blade. With a violent jerk, she shoved him away. Stumbling to her feet, her elbow sent crystal glasses shattering across the marble floor.

The room plunged into stunned silence. The rowdy atmosphere evaporated as the men froze like children caught mid-mischief. Fighting nausea, Vivian's voice cut through the tension like ice. "Leave. Now."

Most scattered like frightened rabbits, but the Adrian-wannabe lingered. A nervous grin twisted his lips as he raised a champagne flute in mock toast. "Come on, sweetheart, I was just—"

"Get out!" Vivian's shout echoed off the walls. She pointed to the door with trembling fury. "Unless you want security dragging you out."

At that exact moment, the private room across the hall swung open. Dominic emerged, his tailored jacket slung carelessly over one shoulder. His eyebrows shot up at the scene—Vivian standing amidst broken glass, her chest heaving with anger, hair tumbling from its elegant updo. Even furious, she radiated undeniable magnetism.

Dominic's lips quirked as he turned to Adrian. "Isn't that your—"

The words died in his throat at Adrian's thunderous expression. A suffocating silence descended. The remaining onlookers wished they could melt into the walls, suddenly terrified of witnessing the infamous Blackwood temper firsthand.

Dominic clapped sharply, his voice cutting through the tension. "Show's over, gentlemen. Time to disappear unless you enjoy unemployment." It was both command and mercy.

They scattered like leaves before a storm, leaving the hallway eerily empty within seconds.