Chương 6 - The Broken Glass
The sound of shattering crystal brought the entire restaurant to a dead halt.
Dark red wine pooled on the white tablecloth, dripping onto Dominic’s bespoke charcoal suit.
For three seconds, there was absolute, terrifying silence.
Then, Dominic exploded.
He leaped out of his chair, his face contorted in violent fury.
“You clumsy, stupid bitch!” Dominic roared, backhanding Cassidy across the face.
The physical blow was shocking, sending Cassidy stumbling backward into the serving cart.
Her cheek burned, and the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.
Gasps echoed from the surrounding tables as wealthy patrons watched the assault.
Victor did not move, but his eyes were completely devoid of human warmth.
Natalia slowly wiped a drop of spilled wine from her diamond necklace.
“Simon!” Dominic screamed at the top of his lungs.
“I want her arrested for assault, I want her fired, and I want her destroyed!”
Simon rushed forward, flanked by two burly restaurant security guards.
Cassidy slowly stood up straight, wiping the blood from her lip with the back of her hand.
She did not look at Dominic.
She looked directly at Victor.
“The wine was corked,” Cassidy said in fluent Russian, using an old intelligence code phrase.
It meant: The operation is compromised, abort immediately.
Victor’s cold eyes sparked with sudden, intense realization.
He understood that Cassidy had just saved him from executing a billionaire in a room full of witnesses.
Victor stood up, buttoning his tailored jacket with slow, deliberate precision.
“There is no need for police,” Victor announced loudly in English.
He looked at Dominic with utter disgust.
“A man who strikes a woman over spilled wine lacks the discipline required for my business.”
Victor picked up the silver flash drive and slipped it back into his pocket.
“The deal is canceled, Mr. Pierce.”
Dominic froze, his rage instantly replaced by sheer panic.
“Victor, wait, we can fix this, the money is already in escrow!” Dominic pleaded.
Victor signaled to Natalia, and they turned to leave the restaurant.
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As Victor passed Cassidy, he leaned in and whispered in her ear.
“You owe me a life now, little bird, and I will be waiting in the alley.”
