Chapter 76

Vincent had spent a decade behind bars. Now free, he craved indulgence.

The Velvet Lounge's madam's eyes lit up at the sight of the million-dollar check. "Ladies! We have a VIP!"

A parade of glamorous women filed in, lining up before Vincent.

The madam purred, "Vincent darling, who catches your eye?"

His gaze swept over them dismissively. "Too seasoned. I prefer them tender - the fresher, the better."

"Vincent, these beauties are barely twenty," the madam countered.

His tongue darted out, eyes glinting with perverse hunger. "I want younger."

The madam's smile faltered. This man reeked of depravity.

The VIP door burst open. Harrison strode in, icy fury radiating from her.

The madam gasped. "Sweetheart! Who are you-"

Harrison cut her off with a glacial stare at Vincent. "Hand over that check."

"Well, well. Harrison graces us," Vincent leered, drinking in her flawless beauty. The club's women paled in comparison.

He waved the check tauntingly. "This is your husband's gift to me. I raised you, didn't I? Shouldn't you support your dear foster father?"

Disgust coiled in Harrison's gut. She lunged for the check.

His face twisted. "You ungrateful bitch! Think you're too good now?"

As his hand shot toward her hair, a silver needle flashed through the air.

Thunk. It pierced clean through his palm. Vincent collapsed like a puppet with cut strings, howling.

Harrison plucked the check from his limp fingers. "Still think you can touch me?"

Vincent writhed, his screams echoing off the velvet walls.

She turned to leave.

"Wait!" Vincent's voice turned venomous. "Your precious husband should know how his wife used to sit on my lap in her little skirts. Like a doll, all milk and honey. Remember how I kissed you?"

Harrison's fists clenched.

"Think Nathaniel will still want you after that? Eleanor dotes on you, but you're just trash."

Without a word, Harrison walked out.

The city lights blurred as she wandered streets thrumming with laughter. Memories assaulted her - Victoria paying Vincent to take her, the countryside house, the drunken rages.

The wife who jumped into the river.

Then just the two of them. Alone.