Chapter 19
Five years ago, being alone with Yvan would set Matilda’s heart racing. She’d be careful, cautious, a bundle of nerves. But now, half a decade later, as the elevator ascended with a gentle hum, the once palpable tension had faded into a dull numbness within her.
Yvan watched her profile, his own face a masterpiece of male beauty. His intense gaze scorched her skin, and Matilda felt the weight of his stare like a predator fixated on its prey. leaving her feeling trapped with no escape.
The ding of the elevator brought them back to reality, and Matilda stepped out with a briskness. that belied her inner turmoil.
Yvan followed, his long strides silent behind her until they reached the door of VIP Room V2, where Matilda finally paused.
Yvan flashed her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Not going in?”
Matilda clenched her jaw and pushed the door open.
The moment she entered, a whistle cut through the cacophony of laughter and chatter, the air thick with the scent of liquor and cigarette smoke. She didn’t let her distaste show, just a slight furrowing of her brow.
Someone from the couch shouted, “Now that’s a looker! Who brought her?”
Yvan’s voice came from behind her, laced with amusement. “Oh, Bennett, you interested?”
As Matilda looked around, she saw Chase among the group lounging on the couch, surrounded by women dressed in glitzy miniskirts, their bare shoulders shimmering under the lights.
Amid this scene, Matilda stood out like a sore thumb.
Bennett Fuller, holding a drink, nodded at Matilda. “Is this Yvan’s guest? Hey there, miss. Care for a drink?”
“Easy, Bennett, don’t push it,” warned Chase, though Bennett seemed too buzzed to heed the caution as he pulled Matilda down to sit beside him.
Then, winking at Yvan, he said, “Man, Yvan, you’re like a warm blanket on a cold night. How did you know she’s just my type?”
Yvan’s expression was unreadable as Bennett continued to drink and playfully fed Matilda a piece of watermelon, which she eventually accepted after a moment’s hesitation.
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
“Bennett’s got no shame, feeding her like that!”
“She ate it, didn’t she? Looks like Bennett’s got a chance tonight!”
Bennett’s arm around Matilda, he leaned her head against his shoulder. “Wanna play a game,
15:28
Chapter 19
sweetheart?”
Yvan watched, his grip on his glass tightening subconsciously.
Chase whispered. “Yvan, should I talk to Bennett?”
“No need,” came Yvan’s chilly response.
It was just a woman–why should he care so much?
Matilda smiled at Bennett. “Are you the one here to talk business with Yvan?”
“Whoa, no business talk when we’re partying,” Bennett replied with a disappointed frown, then turned to Yvan. “Did you tell her something? She’s all about business, such a buzzkill.”
Now certain, Matilda raised her glass. Since Yvan brought her here to drink with his business partner, she would do just that to entertain Bennett.
Thus, she smiled at everyone. “Sorry for being late. I’ll drink this as a punishment. What games are we playing later? Go easy on me, okay?”
A bright smile appeared on Bennett’s face. He wrapped his arms around her waist, gesturing her to sit down, saying. “You’re so cute, you know?”
Matilda curled herself in his arms and smiled at him, her lips crimson from the wine, “Really?! think you’re really cute too. Mr. Fuller.”
Bennett’s name was not unfamiliar to Matilda. Before her fall from grace, she was a well known heiress, and Bennett was a prominent figure in social circles. Though he was from the neighboring city, his family possessed mass fortune, and many local businessmen were eager to befriend him.
Yvan watched Matilda’s radiant smile towards another man, and a surge of unnamed anger rose within him. He had brought her to humiliate her, but now he was the one agitated.
Chase eyed Yvan nervously. “You okay, Yvan?”
Even for an ex–husband, it was unthinkable to let his former wife entertain another man. It seemed Yvan genuinely had no feelings left for Matilda.
Yvan bit back his anger, his gaze sharp as a blade upon Matilda, yet he said, “I don’t care. Let her be.”
That’s right. As long as she could help him secure a deal with Bennett, what would it matter if she drank with him or even ended up in his bed?
His thoughts were interrupted by a round of applause; they looked up to see Bennett and Matilda’s lips part from a brief kiss, and the room erupted.
“Talk about commitment! Respect!”
“A good sport! Love that boldness!”
“Who’s ur for another round?”
Chapter 19
Seeing the terrifying fury in Yvan’s eyes, Chase quickly intervened, shouting, “What game are you playing over there?”
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