Chapter 52
Chapter 52:
“You all showed up,” Helena said with a glowing smile as she gently patted Tessa’s shoulder. “You didn’t leave me to face this ordeal alone, and that means everything to me p>
She had taken a risk with this plan, and it had worked.
Without her coworkers rallying behind her, she wouldn’t have stood a chance tonight. There was a powerful kind of strength that came from women standing side by side, and Helena could feel it rising within her as tears welled in the corners of her eyes.
Lifting her glass high, Helena exclaimed, “Here’s to courage p>
Dominick jumped in without hesitation, flashing a wide grin. “Hey, don’t forget about me p>
His recklessness had taken over. He’d never liked Laurence or Neville anyway!
Meanwhile, outside the private room, Dorian stood frozen, stunned by the large crowd in the room. He’d attended his share of events, both big and small. Everything about this felt like a trap, yet Helena had completely turned the tables, and somehow, she made it feel like a real party.
He was beginning to realize that Helena wasn’t someone to underestimate. Dorian looked around, trying to find Alden’s thoughts on the situation, but Alden was nowhere to be found.
Instead, Alden had quietly followed Neville to the restroom.
Inside, Neville made his way to the sink and splashed cold water on his face. Laurence’s name appeared on his phone screen repeatedly. He was calling to follow up on their progress.
With rage boiling over, Neville finally picked up and snapped, “That bitch, Helena, played us! She brought the whole clueless team with her. And I ended up drinking the damn drugged juice myself p>
Neville didn’t even get to finish his sentence. Alden’s fist struck like lightning, snapping his head to the side with a brutal crack. The impact sent Neville tumbling, his back slamming hard against the floor.
As he looked up, blurry shapes swirled in his vision, making it hard to focus on the man standing above him. The man’s face was cold, his eyes empty of any feeling—just a stranger cloaked in pure vengeance. Panicked and shaking, Neville tried to speak through the pain. “Who… who the hell are you? I don’t even know you p>
But Alden had no doubts. That voice—it was the same one from the night before. The one that had harassed Helena on the phone. Just hearing it again made Alden want to end this man right here and now.
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Neville hadn’t even regained his balance when another brutal blow sent him crumpling again, this time with a sickening crack to his nose. The pain was unbearable. Neville let out a weak cry. “Someone… please… help me p>
Two of Alden’s men stepped in without hesitation, pulling Neville to his feet and slapping a hand over his mouth. Alden turned away and instructed, “Take him to the third floor.” Nightfall Bar held its share of secrets. It wasn’t just women who attracted the men; some men came seeking other men, drawn to darker pleasures. As for the men upstairs? Their desires were far more sinister.
For someone who spent his time tormenting women, it was poetic justice.
Without another word, Alden washed his hands and walked out, calm and cold as ever.
Dorian picked up on the tension immediately. Alden didn’t have to say a word. His fury was bone-deep, and it chilled the air like a sudden draft.
A burst of laughter echoed from Room 809 just as they passed, and Alden paused for a brief second. Mixed in with the noise was Helena’s laugh, clear and carefree.
With a nudge, Dorian leaned over and asked, “Well? Are you just going to leave your wife in there, or are you taking her home p>
Some of the tension in Alden’s face eased. “She’s with her coworkers. I shouldn’t intrude p>
Still, a small part of him wondered—did Helena want to share these joyful moments with him too?
His thoughts were cut short by the sudden ring of his phone. The caller ID lit up with a name. It was Helena.
He answered right away, and her soft, slightly playful voice greeted him on the other end.
“Can you come get me and take me home p>
There was something in the way she said it that made Alden’s heart skip a beat. That soft, clingy tone. He didn’t mind it in the slightest. A small smile played on his lips. “Have you been drinking p>
In the background, a chorus of laughter erupted. “Helena just pulled a dare,” someone shouted. “She’s calling the first name in her contacts and asking him to come pick her up p>
“We’re all eager to find out what her husband looks like!” More laughter followed, full of amusement and curiosity.
One voice rose above the rest, confident and a little familiar. “I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him before. Helena was clinging to him in the car, hardly letting go p>
That voice belonged to Dominick again. Alden’s expression tensed, his eyes narrowing just slightly.
The noise behind Helena faded as quickly as it had started. The door to Room 809 creaked open, and Helena stepped out, clearly searching for a quieter place to talk to Alden.
With a subtle wave of his hand, Alden dismissed the people nearby. He quietly followed Helena, speaking low into the phone. “If you’ve been drinking, don’t go wandering around. I’m on my way p>
“I know it’ll take you a bit to get here,” Helena said, her voice low and slightly slurred. “But I’m afraid I might say something wrong and accidentally reveal your identity to my colleagues. I’m not exactly someone who can handle much when I’m drunk p>
Her cheeks flushed as she rambled on, first mentioning how she had humiliated Neville publicly, then changing the subject to how she had finally become friends with her female coworkers.
With every word, her mood lifted. Since becoming an adult, she hadn’t felt this happy—other than when she joined Nexus TV. Originally, she’d planned to save little stories like these for the visits to her father. But now, there was someone else she wanted to share them with, someone who felt like home.
Alden’s laughter drifted through the phone from the other end, clearer and closer.
Slightly tipsy, Helena blinked and asked, “Where are you right now, Alden p>
“Care to make a bet?” he teased. “If I appear in front of you within the next ten seconds, you’ll have to answer my question honestly p>
Helena couldn’t help but laugh, her nerves starting to ease. She was starting to feel like everything would be alright.
Helena couldn’t help but laugh at the silly idea. Alden typically worked in the development area, a long way from where she was. There was no chance he could make it in ten seconds. Certain he was bluffing, she agreed without a second thought.
“Turn around, Helena p>
That low, familiar voice came from behind her, not on the phone. Helena instinctively turned around, and before she could even gasp, his arms were around her, pulling her in tightly.