Echoes of Vengeance: The Sweet Wife's Perfect Revenge-Chapter 40: The Trap

At Ashvale Highlands,

Well, the night was still young. Vivienne was bored out of her mind in the farmhouse after spending the entire day doing nothing. So she got ready, looking sultry, and hit the only club in the region.

The club had a fusion of vintage charm and contemporary vibes. She was two glasses down, soaking in the attention from men of all ages. She flirted freely with those who approached her.

It wasn’t new to her. She found it relaxing and felt seen. Something Damien never gave her.

Just as she finished another drink, a new glass appeared beside her. A sparkling golden drink failed to grab her attention when she looked at the expensive wristwatch first. Then followed the arm up to a chiselled face and a sexy smile. The man stood under the flickering lights with all the calm confidence.

"You need a stronger one than that, baby girl," his deep voice didn’t miss a beat even through the music.

Vivienne couldn’t ignore the tailored suit, the perfect grooming, and that irresistible voice.

"Really?" She purred, "And what else do I need?"

The man rolled up his sleeves, revealing his veiny, muscular forearms.

Vivienne felt her mouth go dry at the sight. Her eyes travelled up again, admiring his body, his broad strong shoulders, his height and flawless hair.

She took a sip of the drink he offered to soothe her dry throat. Not even once considering whether it was spiked.

He leaned in, voice low in her ear, "Maybe a strong arm wrapped around your sexy waist."

Maybe it was his voice, maybe his smoldering gaze, maybe the drinks, but Vivienne let out a puff of air, "And..." She purred again.

"And..." He moved a bit closer, his finger grazing up her thigh, down to her ankle, "These long legs need a shoulder to rest on."

She imagined exactly that. Her legs on his shoulder, his mouth devouring her. Her body reacted to the primal need.

Damien never played with her needs. He used her as he pleased.

So the temptation to lose control was heavy.

But she feared Damien had someone watching over her. Pressing down the urge, she flirted, "You are dangerously getting ahead of yourself." She pushed him away with a teasing finger, grazing down his bare chest.

"Well, then..." He didn’t look disappointed. Instead, his eyes slowly trailed down her throat, her cleavage behind the deep V neck of the dress, and halted between her crossed legs.

And then he left.

Feeling undressed through his eyes, Vivienne clenched her core, but disappointment curled in her gut. Then she noticed it, the coaster beneath her glass wasn’t a coaster. It was a room key car.

Desire gripped her core tightly.

"No, Vivienne, don’t think about it. No, no." She whispered, but downed the drink anyway.

By her fourth drink, her body was pulsing with need under his gaze. She tried her hardest, but the imagination of having that man for the night drove her almost insane.

They would never meet again. She could hide it from Damien. What was the harm?

Blaming Damien silently, she stood, ’Because of you.’

She subtly flashed the card to the man and walked off, pretending to head for the washroom, only to slip through the back door.

....

The hotel room door hadn’t even shut when she pinned him to the wall and kissed him like there was no tomorrow.

Her phone beeped. She didn’t notice hearing his whispers in her ear.

Her phone rang. She was screaming in pleasure as he switched off her mobile.

She had no idea, every word he uttered, every move he made, was carefully selected. His presence in the club was no accident.

Drowning in desire, Vivienne wouldn’t know it yet.

That every stolen glance, every subtle touch, was orchestrated by the one man who saw her as nothing more than a chess piece.

....

At Ivory Heights,

Alaric turned to Ezra, who hadn’t reported yet.

Ezra exhaled heavily, "CEO Lancaster, I need a minute to breathe." He was going crazy with multiple tasks at a time.

Alaric shrugged, "Take it." Then after a deliberate pause, he mused, "When I have her in my arms." and walked to the bar counter.

Ezra: "..."

He liked his boss, lazy, uninterested, cold, and calculative. Not whatever this was.

But why was his boss in a good mood?

Instead of reporting, he gave in to his curiosity, "You were thirsting for his blood."

Alaric poured the bourbon into a rock glass. His voice remained smooth, "I still am."

Ezra narrowed his eyes. Nothing was happening to be in a good mood. Aveline was poisoned, she wasn’t divorced yet, and Damien’s secretary was calling them nonstop, "Then why are you happy?"

Alaric took a sip and smiled faintly, "She let me stay close."

Ezra regretted asking. Yet he wanted clarity, "Did you force her?"

Alaric settled in the armchair and proudly accepted, "I tricked her."

Ezra: "..."

After staring at Alaric for a long moment. He turned for the door, "I’m going."

"Ezra Kane." His name rang out.

He reported, "Vivienne Sinclair took the bait. The Laurents handled the Ashford couple. Damien will stay in custody until they get Vivienne’s statement."

But Vivienne wasn’t available on the phone till morning, and it would take another 5 hours for the road trip.

Alaric nodded, slowly absorbing it. Damien would eventually blame the housekeeper and dodge the poison charges.

But Aveline hadn’t leaked this news, which will eventually affect the Ashford holdings. Instead she leaked about Vivienne and Damien.

Alaric leaned back, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

Whatever her plan was, he was ready to take the backseat and see it unfold while the walls of Damien’s perfect world began to crumble.

"See you in the morning, Ezra." He gave the night off because exhaustion affects the performance. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Yet, he failed to get rest.

Her sobs, her reaction to the beeps, echoed through him. He came up with a plan to get her a therapist.

He poured another drink, but her silence echoed louder than her actions. Whatever game she was playing, he wasn’t sure if he was her partner...

Or her pawn.