Chapter 3
The lights in the hall were as dazzling as stars, as if it were a scene from a science fiction movie.
Victoria leaned against a pillar, holding a glass of champagne, looking bored out of her mind.
William stood half a step behind her, his eyes so sharp they could cut down any guy who dared to get close to Victoria.
He grumbled inwardly, [That guy in the blue suit has checked out Miss Storm three times already. He must have a death wish. And the one in white? Even worse. He actually thinks he can hit on her?
[Does he not realize his hairline's already in full retreat? With that face, he really thinks he stands a chance with Miss Storm?]
Victoria nearly sprayed her champagne thanks to the savage roast in William's mind.
Just then, a woman in a white silk dress pretended to accidentally bump into Victoria.
"Oops!" she squealed, managing to spill her hot coffee right at Victoria's red dress.
Victoria's eyes turned icy. Without missing a beat, she shifted and yanked William in front of her.
The coffee soaked William's pricey suit jacket.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to," the woman cried, looking up with a tear-streaked, pitiful face.
It was Chloe Reed, Madeline's sidekick.
Victoria's gaze turned fierce as she stared at the huge coffee stain on William's chest.
"William, how much did this suit cost?" she asked.
William patted his chest, his face expressionless and his voice cold. "Custom-made. 60 thousand dollars."
He thought, [Honestly, the suit only cost 25 thousand dollars, but I had to bump up the price. I can't let Miss Storm lose face. That woman was definitely up to something; she was aiming to scald Miss Storm.
[Damn, if I didn't have a rule about not hitting women, I'd send her flying across the room right now.]
Victoria scoffed and snatched a full pot of coffee from a nearby waiter's tray.
"Miss Reed, since you enjoy spilling coffee so much, let me make sure you get your fill." With that, she poured the entire pot right over Chloe's head.
Chloe shrieked, her once-perfect hairstyle instantly ruined, leaving her looking like a drowned rat.
"Victoria, are you out of your mind?" Madeline stormed over, jabbing a finger right in Victoria's face.
"How could you say that?" Victoria tossed the empty coffee pot onto the table with a loud clang. "She messed up my bodyguard's suit. That's called messing with my property. What I did? Just returning the favor."
"Seriously, how much could a bodyguard's suit possibly be worth?" Madeline said, rolling her eyes.
Victoria took a step forward, her presence so intimidating that Madeline instinctively backed up a few steps. "Honestly, even a single strand of his hair is worth more than your entire existence.
"William, buy the hotel's laundry room right now. And while you're at it, make sure Miss Reed is blacklisted from every upscale venue in this city. I never want to see her anywhere important again."
"Got it," William replied.
He was overjoyed inwardly. [Did Miss Storm say I'm worth more than that woman? Oh my god, is she hinting at something? Does she actually think I'm her number one?
[My heart's beating so fast it's off the charts. Calm down, William, you're a bodyguard. Gotta keep that icy-cool vibe.]
Victoria glanced at William's still-frosty face and snarked to herself, 'Keep up the act all you want, but your heartbeat's so loud it could shake the whole ceiling.'
"Victoria, don't go too far!" Madeline snapped, her face flushed with anger. "Do you really think money lets you do whatever you want?"
"Sorry, but money really does let me do whatever I want," Victoria replied flatly. She pulled a stack of checks from her bag, tore one off, and tossed it right at Chloe's face. "That's for your emotional damages. The rest is hush money."
Chloe stared at the 300-thousand-dollar check, her sobs cutting off instantly.
People all around were murmuring and talking in hushed tones, but nobody dared to mess with Victoria.
Victoria turned to William and said, "Take your clothes off."
William was stunned. [Take them off? Right here? Is Miss Storm really making a move in front of everyone?
[Sure, I've got a great body, but with everyone staring, I'd totally die of embarrassment. Wait, she's probably worried I got burned and wants to make sure I'm okay.
[Man, she's so caring. I think I'm in love.]
Victoria rolled her eyes. "Seriously, what are you thinking? Just take your jacket off and toss it. I'll buy you a new one."
William silently slipped off his jacket, revealing a crisp white shirt. The shirt hugged his body so tightly that people could make out every perfect contour underneath.
Victoria's gaze darkened. His body really was impressive.
"Let's go. We're hitting the mall," she said.
Victoria strode out of the hotel with William in tow, leaving a crowd of stunned onlookers in their wake.
This coffee incident ended with Victoria steamrolling everyone. No one dared to stand in her way.