Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 223: Chapter 223

Vanessa, meanwhile, kept drinking—just enough to act more tipsy than she really was.
When the night wound down, the CEOs exchanged contact info with Orlando and then left, each taking their own actress with them.
Dawson stood and said, "Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Gallagher, we won't take up any more of your time."
He helped Vanessa to her feet, ready to go. But Orlando stopped him. "Dawson, Miss Ward's a little drunk. If the paparazzi catch her like this, she'll be trending for all the wrong reasons."
With Vanessa's magnetism, it would only take one blurry photo for a hundred rumors to explode online—a fresh round of gossip and scandal.
"You should call her family or friends to come get her," Orlando suggested.
Dawson nodded gratefully. "You're right, thank you, Mr. Gallagher."
He didn't actually know who Vanessa's family was, but he did know she was close to Aria.
Without hesitation, he called Aria and asked her to pick Vanessa up at the Aureus Club.
As soon as he hung up, he smacked his forehead—Vanessa had an agent and an assistant, didn't she? But it was too late now.
He assumed Russell and Orlando would leave, but to his surprise, they stayed put, content to wait.
Noticing Dawson's confusion, Orlando offered, "Aureus Club belongs to Russell. He can stay as long as he likes."
Of course. On his own turf, Russell could do whatever he wanted.
Aria soon arrived, knocking on the door and stepping into the smoky suite.
She made a beeline for Vanessa, ignoring everyone else. Dawson stood up.
"Ms. Saxon," he greeted her.
Vanessa mumbled and pretended to wake up, her eyes fluttering open. "Aria? Why are you here?"
"I'm here to take you home," Aria replied, slipping an arm around her.
"Love you, babe," Vanessa said, feigning drunken affection as she leaned into Aria's shoulder.
But from the moment Aria walked in, Russell's eyes had locked onto her, cold and sharp as a blade—he didn't bother to hide it.
Finally, Aria met his gaze, recognizing him: Russell, founder of Masmubia's largest underground casino, a master of the legal gray area, infamous for his dealings in the shadows.
She'd crossed paths with him before, once upon a time when she'd been undercover as a politician's mistress.
Her eyes flicked to Orlando.
He caught her gaze and offered a polite smile. "Ms. Saxon, we meet again."
Aria nodded slightly, then guided Vanessa out the door. Dawson said his goodbyes and followed.
The suite fell silent for a few beats before Russell let out a derisive snort. "I've met her before."
Orlando looked surprised. "When?"
"Five years ago. At Baron."
Baron—the notorious underground casino.
"In Masmubia, she'd be easy to kill. But here in Huthailia, one slip and you'd pay dearly," Orlando warned.
Russell gave him a sidelong look. "You think I'm that reckless?"
Orlando shrugged. "Just making sure you don't do anything impulsive."
Russell's voice was cold as steel. "I'm not that stupid. The Solemnity Guild isn't easy to deal with. She's a damn fine weapon, if you ask me."
After all, nothing was more entertaining than watching dogs tear each other apart.
In the car, Vanessa lounged in the passenger seat, all trace of drunkenness gone. "Russell's Nebula's CEO, huh? Never heard of him," she said, frowning.
He wasn't on any official wanted lists, but everyone who mattered knew his name—and how many people wanted him dead.
Aria mused, "How did Neymar get mixed up with them?"
Vanessa filled her in. "The big boss extended an olive branch. Neymar could hardly refuse. But Russell showing up in Huthailia? This isn't just about business—I'll look into it."
Aria nodded. "Focus on Orlando. Russell's too dangerous. Stay away from him if you can."
Vanessa grinned. "Got it."
Aria dropped Vanessa off at her apartment, stayed for dinner, and only left when she was sure her friend was safe.
On her way home, she ran into the man she'd just been discussing with Vanessa—in the elevator.