Chapter 77
Adrian didn't hesitate. He flung open the door to Vivian's VIP suite with a force that mirrored his barely contained rage. "Vivian Hartley! Explain yourself!"
The scene before him was drastically different from the fiery confrontation moments earlier. Vivian's earlier defiance had dissolved into drunken lethargy, her body swaying as she attempted to reach the velvet chaise. The sudden intrusion made her blink blearily at the imposing figure now filling the doorway.
Even through her alcohol-hazed vision, his aristocratic features were unmistakable. That chiseled jawline, those piercing eyes - the resemblance to Adrian was so striking Vivian let out a tipsy giggle.
Stumbling forward, her legs betrayed her and she tumbled directly into his chest. For some inexplicable reason, she made no move to pull away. Instead, her fingers playfully patted his cheek. "Well hello there, handsome. Did Mirage Lounge save their best imitation for last? You're much better quality than those other boys."
Her voice dripped with intoxicated flirtation as she snuggled deeper into his embrace, perfectly content to remain there.
Adrian's grip tightened as his mind replayed the parade of male entertainers exiting the room. His temper flared. Did being drunk excuse this shameless behavior? His imagination ran wild with possibilities of what might have occurred before his arrival.
Swallowing his fury, he decided this wasn't the place for confrontation. Wordlessly, he scooped her into his arms - her slight frame barely registering as he carried her out. Vivian responded by looping her arms around his neck with a dreamy smile, their pose deceptively romantic to any onlookers.
At the threshold, Adrian shot Dominic a pointed look. "Scrub all surveillance footage," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Dominic observed the scene with raised eyebrows, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he watched the pair disappear down the corridor.
Outside Mirage Lounge, Ethan stood waiting by the town car, holding the door open with practiced efficiency. Adrain's voice was laced with venom. "Business mogul by day, party girl by night. Impressive multitasking, Vivian. That demure wife act fooled me completely." He unceremoniously dumped her into the backseat before sliding in beside her.
Ethan, remembering their last explosive car ride, immediately raised the privacy partition. Vivian whimpered at the rough handling, her delicate features scrunching in discomfort. She tried to sit up properly but only succeeded in collapsing against Adrian's solid frame.
Seizing the opportunity, she gazed up at him with glassy eyes. "Don't look at me like that! I didn't do anything wrong! Those boys didn't even touch me!" Adrian's jaw clenched. "And that disappoints you?" Skeptical, he roughly tilted her chin, inspecting every inch of her neck and behind her ears for telltale marks. Her porcelain skin showed no evidence of contact beyond the flush of alcohol.
"Ow!" she protested, breaking free from his grip with surprising strength for someone so intoxicated. Then, with drunken boldness, she reached up to trace his jawline. "I wasn't interested earlier... but now that I see you properly..." Her fingers trailed down his throat. "I want much more than just holding hands."