Chapter 139

The drug surged violently through Vivian's veins, blurring her vision. She bit her tongue hard, the metallic taste of blood sharpening her focus.

"Don't move." She twisted Chase Blanchet's arm behind his back, pressing a blade to his throat. The steel glinted coldly under the lights.

Sweat dripped down Chase's temples. "Stay back!" he barked at his bodyguards.

They froze. Vivian dragged him toward the exit, then suddenly drove her knee upward with brutal precision.

A scream tore through the hallway. She slammed the door shut behind her, locking it with a swift click.

Her fingers trembled as she dialed 911. "Golden Bliss Club, third floor. Drug use in progress." After hanging up, she sent an encrypted video file.

Chaos erupted inside the club. Chase writhed on the floor, snarling, "Tear this place apart! Find her!"

He hadn't expected this seemingly fragile paparazzo to move like a trained operative. Nor had he anticipated the damning footage of powerful figures stored on her phone.

Sirens wailed in the distance. Vivian barely managed to grip the steering wheel as she sped away. The rearview mirror reflected her flushed face.

She had to make it home.

Crystal chandeliers bathed the penthouse suite in golden light. Sophia Evans lifted her wineglass, diamonds glinting on her manicured nails. "A toast before your flight tomorrow."

Ethan Roscente ignored the glass. He loosened his tie, his platinum cufflinks catching the light.

"Flight details confirmed?"

Sophia studied his razor-sharp profile. Five years, and the way his brow furrowed still made her pulse skip.

"Ethan." She reached for him, but he stepped back. Her fingertips grazed only the cold diamonds on his sleeve.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, city lights cascaded like fallen stars. Sophia remembered that disastrous night. She should've been Mrs. Roscente by now.

But the spiked drink had ended up in her own brother's throat instead.