Chapter 4 - The Velvet Vault
Rain hammered the asphalt outside The Velvet Vault, a discreet, high-end nightclub tucked in the industrial district. Behind its frosted glass doors and heavy bouncers, Javier Robas laughed loudly, lounging on red leather. Surrounding him were three of his mother's trusted musclemen and a table piled with champagne bottles.
""She’s a Vance,"" Javier sneered, lifting his glass to his companions. ""Her father cares too much about his public image. Tomorrow morning, he’ll transfer the shipping docks to settle this quietly. Old Alexander is too soft to let Clara’s scandal leak.""
Before his associates could chime in, the heavy steel security doors crashed open.
Two massive bouncers flew backward into the corridor, skidding across the polished floorboards in unconscious heaps. The club's background music died with an ear-piercing screech as Alexander Vance strode through the haze of smoke, flanked by shadows.
The color vanished instantly from Javier’s face. He scrambled backward, knocking over an ice bucket that crashed to the floor with a hollow rattle. ""Alexander?! How did you—""
The three musclemen reacted, reaching into their jackets. Before a hand could clear leather, Donald stepped forward, a suppressed weapon spitting two deafening thuds into the nearest enforcer’s shoulder, dropping him instantly. The other two froze, hands raised, faced by the cold muzzles of Vance’s security.
Alexander walked past them without a glance, his polished Oxford shoes stepping deliberately through pooling liquor. He stopped inches from Javier’s trembling form.
""Good evening, Javier,"" Alexander said smoothly. ""I believe you left your wedding reception early.""
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""Listen to me, Alexander! It wasn't my idea!"" Javier stammered, his bravado dissolving into pathetic terror. ""My mother... she forced me! She said Clara was arrogant, that we needed collateral—""
Alexander’s left hand shot out like an iron vice, wrapping tightly around Javier’s throat and slamming him down onto the glass table, which shattered beneath the impact.
