Dark Lord Seduction System: Taming Wives, Daughters, Aunts, and CEOs novel Chapter 285

Chapter 285: Troubled Drunkard and a Stranger

"Because you’re new. Still clean. And because..." he looked at his empty glass, "because I’m drunk enough to be honest and sober enough to know it doesn’t matter. You’ll either become like us or get eaten by us. There’s no third option in this world."

"Master," ARIA whispered urgently, "Helena just received a text. Vincent Castellano wants an emergency meeting. Something about ’financial irregularities.’ Oh shit, they’re starting to notice the shadow money."

I watched Helena check her phone, her face going even paler. She stood abruptly, swaying slightly, then headed for the exit with the determined stride of someone walking to their execution.

"Your friend seems to be leaving," I observed, my voice a low, smooth purr.

Webb turned to look. "Not my friend. My handler. And if Vincent’s calling her at this hour, something’s gone very wrong."

"Vincent Castellano?" I asked, playing innocent.

Webb’s eyes sharpened despite the alcohol. "You know him?"

"Know of him. Who doesn’t in this business?" I replied, my voice a low, smooth purr.

"Fair point," Webb said, standing, pulling out his wallet. "Thanks for the drinks and conversation. Advice? Forget my name, forget this talk, and definitely forget anything I said about Vincent or Helena."

"Already forgotten," I assured him, my voice a low, smooth purr.

He nodded and walked away, steadier than I’d expected. A functional alcoholic who’d learned to navigate the world through a whiskey haze.

"Master," ARIA said as Webb disappeared into the crowd, "we have everything we need. Nexus Corporation’s entire infrastructure is now ours. Every secret, every crime, every connection. Should I package it for Ava?"

"Everything," I confirmed quietly. "Make it airtight. Federal prosecution level evidence."

Veronica appeared at my elbow like expensive perfume given human form. "Did you make a new friend?" she asked, her voice a low, husky tone.

"Something like that," I said, letting her press against me again.

"Webb’s dangerous," she warned, her fingers finding my arm. "But then again, you seem like the type who likes danger."

"I like information more," I replied, my voice a low, smooth purr.

She smiled, predatory and promising. "I have lots of information. Want to go somewhere private and...exchange intel?"

Before I could answer, Natasha Volkov approached from the other end of the bar. Dmitri’s daughter moved like a panther in Prada, all dangerous grace and inherited cruelty.

"Peter Carson," she said, completely ignoring Veronica. "I don’t believe we’ve been introduced."

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