Chapter 19


    Five years ago, being alone with Yvan would set Matilda’s heart racing. She’d be careful, cautious, a


    bundle of nerves. But now, half a decadeter, as the elevator ascended with a gentle hum, the once


    palpable tension had faded into a dull numbness within her.


    Yvan watched her profile, his own face a masterpiece of male beauty. His intense gaze scorched her


    skin, and Matilda felt the weight of his stare like a predator fixated on its prey. leaving her feeling


    trapped with no escape.


    The ding of the elevator brought them back to reality, and Matilda stepped out with a briskness. that


    belied her inner turmoil.


    Yvan followed, his long strides silent behind her until they reached the door of VIP Room V2, where


    Matilda finally paused.


    Yvan shed her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Not going in?”


    Matilda clenched her jaw and pushed the door open.


    The moment she entered, a whistle cut through the cacophony ofughter and chatter, the air thick with


    the scent of liquor and cigarette smoke. She didn’t let her distaste show, just a slight furrowing of her


    brow.


    Someone from the couch shouted, “Now that’s a looker! Who brought her?”


    Yvan’s voice came from behind her,ced with amusement. “Oh, Bet, you interested?”


    As Matilda looked around, she saw Chase among the group lounging on the couch, surrounded by


    women dressed in glitzy miniskirts, their bare shoulders shimmering under the lights.


    Amid this scene, Matilda stood out like a sore thumb.


    Bet Fuller, holding a drink, nodded at Matilda. “Is this Yvan’s guest? Hey there, miss. Care for a


    drink?”


    “Easy, Bet, don’t push it,” warned Chase, though Bet seemed too buzzed to heed the caution


    as he pulled Matilda down to sit beside him.


    Then, winking at Yvan, he said, “Man, Yvan, you’re like a warm nket on a cold night. How did you


    know she’s just my type?”


    Yvan’s expression was unreadable as Bet continued to drink and yfully fed Matilda a piece of


    watermelon, which she eventually epted after a moment’s hesitation.


    Cheers erupted from the crowd.


    “Bet’s got no shame, feeding her like that!”


    “She ate it, didn’t she? Looks like Bet’s got a chance tonight!”


    Bet’s arm around Matilda, he leaned her head against his shoulder. “Wanna y a game,


    15:28


    Chapter 19


    sweetheart?”


    Yvan watched, his grip on his ss tightening subconsciously.


    Chase whispered. “Yvan, should I talk to Bet?”


    “No need,” came Yvan’s chilly response.


    It was just a woman–why should he care so much?


    Matilda smiled at Bet. “Are you the one here to talk business with Yvan?”


    “Whoa, no business talk when we’re partying,” Bet replied with a disappointed frown, then turned


    to Yvan. “Did you tell her something? She’s all about business, such a buzzkill.”


    Now certain, Matilda raised her ss. Since Yvan brought her here to drink with his business partner,


    she would do just that to entertain Bet.


    Thus, she smiled at everyone. “Sorry for beingte. I’ll drink this as a punishment. What games are we


    yingter? Go easy on me, okay?”


    A bright smile appeared on Bet’s face. He wrapped his arms around her waist, gesturing her to sit


    down, saying. “You’re so cute, you know?”


    Matilda curled herself in his arms and smiled at him, her lips crimson from the wine, “Really?! think


    you’re really cute too. Mr. Fuller.”


    Bet’s name was not unfamiliar to Matilda. Before her fall from grace, she was a well known


    heiress, and Bet was a prominent figure in social circles. Though he was from the neighboring city,


    his family possessed mass fortune, and many local businessmen were eager to befriend him.


    Yvan watched Matilda’s radiant smile towards another man, and a surge of unnamed anger rose within


    him. He had brought her to humiliate her, but now he was the one agitated.


    Chase eyed Yvan nervously. “You okay, Yvan?”


    Even for an ex–husband, it was unthinkable to let his former wife entertain another man. It seemed


    Yvan genuinely had no feelings left for Matilda.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Yvan bit back his anger, his gaze sharp as a de upon Matilda, yet he said, “I don’t care. Let her be.”


    That’s right. As long as she could help him secure a deal with Bet, what would it matter if she


    drank with him or even ended up in his bed?


    His thoughts were interrupted by a round of apuse; they looked up to see Bet and Matilda’s lips


    part from a brief kiss, and the room erupted.


    “Talk aboutmitment! Respect!”


    “A good sport! Love that boldness!”


    “Who’s ur for another round?”


    Chapter 19


    Seeing the terrifying fury in Yvan’s eyes, Chase quickly intervened, shouting, “What game are you


    ying over there?”