The bass thundered through the floor of the Matron-Dax Clubhouse, vibrating through bodies and glass alike. The DJ was a wizard behind the booth, weaving hit after hit into a seamless, euphoric rhythm that had the entire crowd pulsing with energy. Lights flashed in rapid intervals—blue, red, green—casting strobe-like shadows on the walls. Champagne bottles popped in all directions as servers weaved through the crowd, trying to keep up with the endless demand.But at the highest tier of the room—the VVIP balcony above the chaos—Noel sat like a king on his throne, watching the entire floor like it was his private kingdom. And the moment his eyes fell on Anna, his grin stretched with perverse delight.She looked breathtaking, exactly as he remembered, but even more divine. Her fitted dress hugged her frame perfectly. Her soft cleavage peeked through the neckline with just enough grace to tease without being vulgar. The lighting kissed her skin, and the way she moved—hesitant but proud—ma

The air in the club shifted the very moment he stepped in. The music still blasted from the speakers, and lights continued to swirl in hypnotic colors, but an invisible chill rolled across the room like a cold front.He didn’t need an introduction.The moment the club owner appeared in the hallway, whispers broke out like wildfire among the crowd. People stepped back involuntarily, conversations halted, and the boldest dancers suddenly became meek. His reputation preceded him. Ruthless. Unforgiving. A man whose hands were soaked in more than just nightclub business.They called him The Wolf in Velvet. Smooth with words, brutal with fists. He was not a man to owe money to. Ever.He walked with a quiet authority, his all-black silk suit barely creasing as he moved. His steps were slow and deliberate, each one sounding heavier than the thud of bass from the speakers. And his eyes—sharp, calculating, like they could strip you of everything just by staring.And he was furious.From the mom

John slipped back into the driver’s seat, his expression calm and reassuring as he looked at Anna and Collins waiting expectantly.“Don’t worry,” he said, placing the key in the ignition. “It was just my grandfather checking in. Nothing serious.”“Are you sure?” Anna asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.John smiled gently. “Positive. Now let’s go celebrate your freedom from the Johnsons properly.”Both Anna and Collins nodded in agreement, visibly more relaxed now that the heavy events of the night were behind them. The laughter they had shared after Noel’s meltdown still echoed in their hearts, but now they craved something else—food, warmth, and a taste of peace.The restaurant Anna recommended was only a ten-minute drive from the Matron-Dax Hotel. It was cleverly positioned just a block away, nestled between towering glass structures and lit with golden lights that shimmered like candlelight. The aroma of grilled meat and freshly baked bread wafted into the street, drawi

The room was thick with tension until the deep, commanding voice of John’s grandfather sliced through the silence.“Can the both of you just behave like adults for once and let bygones be bygones?” he said, his eyes shifting between Agnes and Jamal, whose subtle jabs at each other had turned a professional gathering into a stage for their personal grievances.Bobby White, who had been flipping through the pages of his report, muttered under his breath without looking up. “It’s clear they’re still not over each other.”A few people tried to suppress their smirks.Jamal let out a short breath, then reached for his mic. “Apologies, sir. Let me allow the young lady to speak,” he said and turned off his microphone, giving Agnes the floor.“Thank you,” John’s grandfather responded, nodding approvingly. He turned to Agnes and gestured that she could now speak.Agnes shifted slightly in her seat, her posture regal, her expression unreadable. Her voice, when it came, was smooth and deliberate,

Agnes crossed her legs and tilted her head slightly, her gaze settling on Bobby before darting to John. The room still carried the weight of John’s loud interruption from earlier, and though the tension had slightly eased, curiosity had replaced conflict. Everyone was waiting for John’s next move. Agnes, in particular, was eager to see how the young heir would walk the tightrope between diplomacy and authority.John, on the other hand, felt like his lungs were barely keeping up with his heart rate. Every beat echoed in his ears like a ticking time bomb. It was his first time taking charge in such a heated room, and though he was determined to make a mark, the pressure was immense. Every eye, every breath, every pause in that room was pointed directly at him.But he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, stood to his feet, and let it all out in a steady voice.“First, I must commend all of your efforts in building this glorious empire,” John said, his voice calm and sure. “My desire is t