Chapter 231

The neon lights of Velvet Lounge flickered through the smoky air as Victoria Sterling slipped inside unnoticed. Dressed in an oversized hoodie and ripped jeans, she looked nothing like the glamorous socialite the tabloids adored.

Every other woman in the club wore sequined mini dresses with stiletto heels that could puncture concrete. Victoria's plain appearance made her stick out like a sore thumb in the sea of glitter.

A sudden waft of whiskey-laden breath made her stiffen. The scent of cheap cologne assaulted her senses before she even saw him.

"Adrienne, darling." The voice dripped with false sweetness. "Still as breathtaking as the day we met in Silvercrest."

Victoria recoiled as Dominic Reeves slid into the booth beside her. His muscular arms, once so appealing, now repulsed her. How had she ever found this man attractive?

Every fiber of her being screamed to run. Memories of their toxic relationship in Silvercrest came flooding back - the manipulation, the empty promises, the way he'd drain her bank account dry.

"Cut the crap," she hissed, keeping her voice low. "What do you want?"

Dominic's grin turned predatory. "Straight to business, I see." His fingers traced circles on the sticky table. "Five million should cover my... discretion about certain... events from our past."

Victoria's nails dug into her palms. "You got your payoff when we ended things."

"Gambling debts don't pay themselves, sweetheart." He leaned closer, his breath hot against her ear. "And I'm sure Nathan Blackwood would find our little... love child fascinating."

The mention of her daughter sent ice through Victoria's veins. That mistake - born from Dominic's lies about protection - still haunted her darkest nightmares.

"You bastard," she whispered, voice trembling with rage. "That was your fault!"

Dominic merely chuckled, swirling the drink he'd stolen from her. "Our daughter is proof of what we shared. Without her, we wouldn't be having this... reunion."

Victoria's mind raced. She could see the desperation beneath Dominic's bravado - the sweat on his brow, the slight tremor in his hands. This wasn't just about money; he was drowning.

Suddenly, an idea struck. Victoria let her shoulders slump, allowing tears to well in her eyes. "It's over between Nathan and me," she confessed, voice breaking. "He's calling off the wedding."

Dominic's smug expression faltered. "What? Why?"

"The Blackwoods found out about my family's financial troubles." She dabbed at imaginary tears. "Without Nathan's backing, I'm ruined."

Panic flashed across Dominic's face. Victoria could practically see the calculations in his head - no wealthy fiancé meant no payout.

She pressed her advantage, leaning into him with a sigh. "But maybe... if we worked together..." Her fingers trailed up his arm. "You always were the clever one, Dominic."

His eyes lit with greedy interest. Victoria hid her disgust behind a coy smile, already plotting how to turn this snake against itself. The game had just begun.