Second Vows Adored by the Billionaire novel Chapter 34

"Orion," they stammered.

It was Orion, a true powerhouse in the business world.

Victor and Brook's stomachs sank. They were shocked, but more than that, they were scared.

Orion had gone to the same university as Victor, Brook, and Eloise.

Technically speaking, Orion and Victor had been closer since they were in the same major and the same classes.

But even back then, Orion hardly ever showed up. Despite being classmates, Victor could count on one hand how many times he'd actually seen him.

Still, being in the same circle had its advantages. Last year, Victor had managed to leverage their connection and land a business partnership with Hartland Group. It wasn't much, but it was something.

After they started working together, Victor gradually realized that this legendary ice-cold heir wasn't quite as untouchable as people made him out to be.

One time, Orion had actually asked Victor if there was a university alumni group chat. He said he wanted to know what his old classmates were up to these days.

Victor saw his chance immediately. He created an alumni group on the spot and added Orion along with a few of his closest friends from college.

When they organized their first meetup, Orion actually showed up. Sure, he only stayed for less than ten minutes before he had to leave, but for someone as private as Orion, even that was a huge deal.

And now, tonight, out of nowhere, the man himself had walked into Obsidian Lounge.

Brook swallowed down the panic rising in his chest and forced out a stiff smile as he stepped forward. "Orion? What a surprise. We had no idea you'd be here tonight."

Orion nodded slightly and walked calmly toward them. When he reached Victor, his steps paused for just a split second, barely noticeable.

His gaze didn't land on Victor at all, and his tone stayed completely flat, like he was just making casual conversation as he passed by. "Business trip. Figured this was your usual spot, so I stopped in."

He didn't even slow down. By the time he finished speaking, he'd already walked past Victor and headed deeper into the private room.

Victor and Brook locked eyes for a split second. They both saw the same uncertainty reflected back, and then they quickly followed inside.

Orion's voice came out lazy, but his eyes stayed locked on Anita. One eyebrow lifted just slightly. "Funny. I could've sworn my fellow Chicagoan didn't look like this."

"Uh, my wife's at home," Victor said, his voice dry. "She doesn't really come out to bars. This is my assistant, Anita Sterling. If you want to meet my wife, maybe next time we could..."

A year ago, when Victor had been closing their business deal, he'd casually mentioned that his wife Eloise was from the same hometown as Orion.

In business, personal connections could tip the scales, and that little detail had definitely helped seal the deal. Victor never thought Orion would still remember it so clearly after all this time.

"Don't bother setting anything up."

Orion cut him off, and his lips twitched into something that wasn't quite a smile. "So what Brook was saying out in the hallway just now... all of that was true?"

Victor's face went stiff, and his whole body started shaking. "Mr. Hartland, I..."

Orion had already set down his glass and stood up smoothly. "Everyone in our circle knows one thing about me." He paused, and his gaze swept over Victor like a sheet of ice. "I protect my people."