Chapter 1 - The Reversal
He stood towering over her kneeling form like a dark avenging angel.
Victor reached down and gently wrapped his large hand around Dora's trembling fingers.
He didn't just pull her up from the floor.
He brought her calloused hand to his lips and pressed a soft, lingering kiss against her knuckles.
A collective gasp rippled through the circle of wealthy onlookers.
Jessica's smug smile evaporated instantly, replaced by wide-eyed, staggering confusion.
Kevin the floor manager turned a terrifying shade of pale white.
"Sir, this waitstaff was just cleaning up a spill," Kevin stammered nervously.
Victor didn't even look at the sweating manager.
His dark eyes were locked entirely on Dora, searching her exhausted face for any sign of injury.
"Are you hurt, mia luce?" Victor asked in a low whisper that sent shivers down her spine.
Dora shook her head slowly, completely unable to find her voice.
Jessica stepped forward, her face flushed with indignant rage at being ignored by the most powerful man in the room.
"Excuse me, but this nobody just ruined my dress and needs to be fired," Jessica demanded loudly.
Victor slowly turned his head to look at the blonde woman.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.
"This nobody," Victor said smoothly, "is the only reason I am alive today."
He snapped his fingers once.
Four massive men in tailored dark suits materialized from the shadows of the ballroom and surrounded Jessica.
Arthur, Jessica's wealthy date, instantly took three steps back, completely abandoning her.
Victor looked down at Kevin.
"You are fired, and this hotel will no longer employ your staffing agency," Victor stated coldly.
Kevin opened his mouth to argue, but one of the bodyguards placed a heavy hand on his shoulder.
Victor gently took the silver serving tray from Dora's hands and tossed it carelessly onto the marble floor.
"Come with me right now," Victor whispered urgently to Dora.
"I can't leave my shift," Dora protested weakly.
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"You have to," Victor replied, his eyes darkening with sudden, violent urgency.
"The men who tried to kill me eight months ago just found out who stitched me up, and they are currently sealing the exits to this ballroom."
