Chapter 2 - The Stained Velvet
Before Ethan could place his hand on the carved mahogany back of the VIP chair, Victoria moved.
Her high heels clicked sharply against the polished marble floor as she cut directly across his path. With a smooth, aggressive motion, she reached out and grabbed the top of the chair, pulling it back three inches to block his reach.
"This isn't a seat for poor trash like you," Victoria said, her voice dripping with venomous amusement.
Ethan stopped. He did not step back. He stood at his full height, looking down at her with a face as smooth as marble.
Victoria tilted her head, enjoying the audience that was beginning to gather around them. Several wealthy socialites and young hedge-fund managers turned their heads, covering their mouths as low, mocking giggles rippled through the front row. They saw a man in a plain suit being put in his place by the undisputed queen of the evening.
With a deliberate flick of her wrist, Victoria tipped her crystal glass forward. A full pour of vintage champagne spilled over the rim, cascading down the front of Ethan’s charcoal suit jacket. The sticky, amber liquid soaked through the lapels and dripped onto his plain leather shoes.
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The onlookers let out a collective, soft gasp followed by suppressed laughter.
Ethan did not flinch. His eyelids did not even blink. He slowly lowered his gaze to the dark, wet stain spreading across his chest, then lifted his eyes back to Victoria. With slow, measured precision, he reached up, unbuttoned his soaked jacket, peeled it off his shoulders, and draped it casually over the back of the chair.
