Second Vows Adored by the Billionaire novel Chapter 10

Beatrice broke into loud, indignant sobs and ran out of Eloise's bedroom. Then the sound of smashing and throwing soon followed from somewhere down the hall.

The brief curve at Eloise's lips vanished at once.

She had no interest in arguing with a child, not when Peggy's body was limp in her arms and her fingertips were still sticky with blood.

Grabbing her bag, She held Peggy tighter and rushed out of the house for the nearest emergency veterinarian.

They were lucky. Peggy's injuries were mostly superficial, and there was no immediate danger to her life.

Eloise returned home with Peggy wrapped in a blanket. She had barely released her breath before her phone vibrated.

Chris had sent a video. On the screen, Anita was clawing at Victor's face in a full frenzy, shrieking as she latched onto him with both hands, while Victor pinned a woman beneath him, trying to control the chaos.

A voice message followed, Chris practically buzzing with satisfaction. "Eloise, look at this. Dogs biting dogs. It's a perfect mess."

Eloise enlarged the video and focused on the girl under Victor.

She was crying hard, makeup running, her expression full of panic. It was Coco, the young model Chris had selected.

The scene was clearly inside a private club. The music was loud, and the lighting flashed. But when Eloise turned the volume up, she could still catch the argument.

"Mr. Clarkson, please," Coco cried, voice breaking. "I'm scared. Your secretary is terrifying."

"Anita, calm down," Victor roared, shoving Anita off him with force. "Mr. Dean is still here. Let go of me."

"Calm down?" Anita screamed. "I can't calm down. I watched you drink with her all night. She sat on your lap. How am I supposed to calm down?"

Anita completely lost control, raking her nails across Victor's face again and again.

"That's enough," Mr. Dean snapped as he stood. "Mr. Clarkson, you should manage your people before discussing Seafort Group's cooperation with me." He turned and left, clearly disgusted.

*****

The video ended there.

Eloise lay back on her bed with a face mask on, one hand resting lightly over Peggy's blanket as the dog slept. Her mouth lifted into a small, satisfied smile.

She typed quickly: [Chris, add to it. File a report.]

Chris replied almost instantly: [Already did. Police are on the way.]

Eloise sent a sticker back.

Chris returned one immediately.

Minutes later, another video arrived, and the situation had escalated.

Coco, intoxicated to the point of alcohol poisoning, was foaming at the mouth. Then paramedics rushed her onto a stretcher and shoved her into an ambulance.

Laurel still looked anxious, but Eloise had already turned to the wardrobe to change.

Laurel changed as well and waited downstairs until Eloise finally came down.

Her eyes were swollen and red, which made Laurel's chest ache.

They drove to the station.

Eloise spoke to the officers, signed what needed to be signed, and waited at the entrance with the same controlled composure.

A while later, Victor and Anita came out.

Victor's clothes had been torn. Red scratches covered his face and neck.

Anita's hair was a mess, her expensive outfit stained with alcohol, and her makeup smeared across her skin.

They were both in disgrace.

Without a word, Eloise glanced once and turned to leave.

Victor's panic surged. He hurried after her and grabbed her hand. "Eloise, listen to me. I can explain—"

Eloise looked at him with eyes swollen and spoke with the same steady calm. "There are too many people here. We'll talk at home."