The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 21

The Cloudscape was the most popular club among the city's elite. By day, it hosted business lunches and negotiations. By night, it transformed into a world of dazzling lights and sensual pleasures.

A black Maybach pulled up smoothly to the entrance.

A doorman hurried forward, opening the rear door with a respectful bow.

Elias ducked out of the car, his long legs carrying him directly inside.

Hawk noticed Victoria was still in the car and glanced back at her. "Mrs. Shawn," he reminded her in a low voice, "Mr. Shawn is about to get in the elevator."

His meaning was clear: she didn't have much time to dawdle.

Victoria nodded and stepped out of the car.

Her heels clicked sharply on the custom-tiled floor as she quickened her pace, slipping into the elevator just as the doors were about to close.

Inside, cold air blasted down from the vents. Victoria shivered involuntarily, her gaze falling as she tugged at the hem of her dress.

Elias had his back to her, but he caught her small movement in his peripheral vision. His handsome features darkened, becoming inscrutable.

"Hawk."

Elias shot him a look.

Hawk understood immediately. He turned to Victoria and said, "Mrs. Shawn, this dinner was organized by the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. It's to facilitate the Shawn Group's project in Ashton. Most of the people here are partners from Ashton."

Victoria looked at Elias's sharp profile. "So, you want me to help you close this deal?"

Elias turned, his eyes filled with irony as he looked her up and down. His gaze finally settled on her delicate collarbones, which looked even more pale and fragile against the red, strapless, form-fitting dress.

He had known her for five years.

For the first three, she was just 'Genevieve's friend' in his mind. He rarely saw her, and even when he did, his attention was always on Genevieve. Then, she and Garnett had used his debt of gratitude to force this marriage. Although he saw her more often after that, he despised her. In their two years of marriage, he had never truly looked at her.

Her style was usually simple. At the few family dinners they'd attended, she wore a simple long dress, her hair up, with light makeup.

But seeing her now, he was struck by how much the color red suited her. It wasn't heavy makeup, but her almond eyes sparkled, stirring a primal heat in his blood.

An inexplicable irritation rose in Elias, and his expression soured.

"If you regret this, you can get the hell out now."

Victoria watched him exit the elevator and quickly followed.

She naturally took his arm.

Elias's gaze fell to where her hand rested on his arm, and he gently removed it.

"Elias?" Genevieve looked at him, startled.

He took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. His voice was low and cool, but tinged with concern. "The AC is on high in here. You're not just looking after yourself anymore. Be careful you don't catch a chill."

Genevieve clutched the jacket and smiled sweetly. Her eyes flickered almost imperceptibly toward Victoria, who was a few steps behind them, a dark glint flashing in their depths.

As soon as they were seated, a middle-aged man at the head of the table stood up with a glass in hand. "Mr. Shawn, Miss Vale, a toast to you both."

"Mr. Ronald, I should be the one toasting you," Genevieve said, standing up, looking overwhelmed by the honor. She paused, then reached for a wine glass, bypassing the juice in front of her.

Just as she picked it up, a hand covered hers. A moment later, a well-defined hand took the glass from her. "Gen shouldn't be drinking, Mr. Ronald. I'll drink on her behalf."

With that, Elias drained the glass in one smooth motion.

Genevieve watched him, a triumphant curve playing on her lips.

Ronald laughed. "Earlier at the chamber, Miss Vale said you two were just friends. I was skeptical. Now I see she was just being modest! Are wedding bells in the near future?"