Chapter 74

Three days had slipped by.

The Starlight Lounge stood as one of Newport City's most renowned bars. Its two-story structure exuded elegance with an artistic flair.

Nathan Prescott and Dominic Harrington occupied the VIP section on the upper floor. The spot offered both privacy and a perfect vantage point.

They'd already downed several drinks, but Ethan Blackwood—who'd promised to meet them—was still absent.

"What's with Ethan? This was supposed to be our first reunion in four years, just the three of us. He wouldn't actually bail, would he?"

Nathan swirled his wine glass, his expression tense. His gaze kept darting toward the entrance.

"I called him here today because I need his help with something urgent. If I don't get this sorted, my father's going to break my legs when I get home tonight!"

Dominic, ever the composed one of their trio, took a slow sip of his drink. "Relax. You know how Ethan is. If he's not in the mood, he won't show. It's not like this is the first time he's stood us up."

Nathan couldn't settle. Only Ethan had the connections to fix his mess.

"That's it. I'm calling him."

He pulled out his phone and dialed.

On the other end, Ethan sounded brisk, his voice clipped. He told them to start without him—if he couldn't make it, they shouldn’t wait.

"Seriously, man? You're really ditching us?"

Nathan was scrambling for a way to lure his workaholic friend out when movement at the entrance caught his eye.

A group of five or six young, vibrant figures walked in.

His breath hitched when he spotted the woman in the white dress—raven-haired, radiant.

Vivian Lockhart.

She was laughing, leaning close to whisper something to a man beside her. The intimacy between them was unmistakable.

Ethan was about to hang up. Nathan blurted, "You'd better get here fast, or you're going to lose your wife. Your darling Vivian is cozying up to some guy right now. Looks like she's having the time of her life."

Silence.

Then the sharp snap of a laptop closing.

"The Starlight Lounge? I'm on my way."

Dominic had noticed Vivian too. A faint smile curved his lips. "Ethan's wife seems... different from last time. Fascinating woman."

Downstairs, Vivian and Julian Montgomery claimed a booth large enough for eight.

Three days ago, the lawyers had looked down on her. Now, she was the center of their universe.

The once-arrogant Julian now hovered around her like an eager puppy.

"Boss, everything's handled exactly as you instructed. Any chance you could invite Team Inferno for another match? Let us mere mortals witness your god-tier skills again?"

Three days ago, Vivian had summoned Team Inferno—the reigning world champions—with a single call. Their captain had even bowed and called her "Master."

The lawyers had nearly prostrated themselves in awe. From that moment, she became their e-sports legend.

Vivian lifted her juice glass, clinking it against Julian's with a smirk. "Depends on your performance."

Before taking over the firm, she'd studied every member meticulously.

Most were in their twenties—except Gregory Caldwell and Victoria Chen, the senior partners.

Julian, the youngest of the three major partners, was unbeatable in court but embarrassingly inept at gaming.

Yet he obsessed over it, dragging the junior lawyers into marathon sessions.

Vivian had known from the start: win Julian over, and the rest would follow.

What better way than humiliating his idol in front of him?

So she wasn’t surprised that, in just three days, she’d tamed the pack of rebellious lawyers.

They were mid-laughter when the bar doors swung open.

Ethan stood there, tall and imposing.

His gaze locked onto Vivian—surrounded by admirers, radiant as the moon among stars.