Whisper - Chapter 79: Chapter 79
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The Trap at Moonlight Club – 2
For a moment, he seemed to realize he'd crossed a line. Then he rolled his eyes dramatically, grabbed his briefcase, and stormed off without another word.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. After ordering a taxi, I headed for Moonlight Club alone.
The club was only ten minutes away, its neon sign casting a purple glow over the entrance. Inside, I was directed to a private suite where Kenneth was already seated with two middle – aged men – Harold Blackwood and Douglas Thornton.
The scene that greeted me was distasteful at best. Both men, one overweight and the other with slicked – back hair that glistened with too much product, had heavily made – up women perched on their laps. The moment I entered, all eyes fixed on me with undisguised interest.
"And this is ...?" Harold asked, his gaze traveling over my body in a way that made my skin crawl.
Kenneth shot me a contemptuous glance but remained silent.
Maintaining my professional demeanor, I placed the contract on the table and smiled politely. "Mr. Blackwood, Mr. Thornton, I'm Olivia Winters from Moonlaw Legal Services, here to discuss our legal advisor agreement."
I sat down gracefully, determined not to show my discomfort. "Your contract with the previous firm is expiring, right? Our firm leads the industry in Riverdale, with top specialists in civil, criminal, IP, and administrative law. Also, I heard Mr. Thornton's company has a trademark dispute – we've handled thousands of those successfully." Harold barely glanced at the contract before tossing it aside. His eyes remained fixed on me as he smiled, revealing yellowed teeth.
"Legal advisor, huh? Easy. But first, Ms. Winters, have a few drinks with me, and then everything's negotiable."
Douglas leaned forward, his cologne overpowering. "Such a pretty woman should consider working for me instead. I'll pay you double what they're giving you. No more running around hustling clients."
The Trap at M ...
I kept my expression neutral despite the disgust churning in my stomach. "Sorry, Mr. Thornton. I'm here to negotiate legal services, not to sell myself."
Douglas laughed, a harsh sound that grated on my nerves. "No rush, sweetheart. Here's my card. If you ever get tired of ' working hard, call me."
I made no move to take it. "If you want to sign the contract, I'm happy to follow up. If not, there's nothing more to discuss."
His expression darkened. "Playing hard to get, huh?"
From the corner, Kenneth sneered, "Stop pretending to be some pure innocent."
Harold raised a glass, his smile turning predatory. "Come on, Ms. Winters, have a drink first, then we'll talk business."
My wolf instincts screamed danger. The drink he offered likely contained something sinister – I'd had enough experience with suspicious beverages to recognize the threat.
"Sorry, Mr. Blackwood, I don't drink," I replied firmly.
Harold's smile vanished. He set the glass down with deliberate slowness and rose from his seat, approaching me like a predator.
"So aloof. You don't understand the rules of this game. Let me teach you."
Before I could react, his sweaty hand clamped around my wrist. He lunged forward, his face inches from mine.
My training kicked in instantly. With a swift movement born of both anger and self – preservation, I twisted Harold's arm behind his back, applying just enough. pressure to make him yelp.
"You f ***** g b *** h! How dare you lay hands on me!" he howled, his face contorting with rage.
Douglas jumped up, his chair crashing to the floor. "You'll regret this!"
As he lunged toward me, I kicked out sharply, my heel connecting with a vulnerable spot. He doubled over with a howl of pain.
I took advantage of their momentary incapacitation to dash toward the door.
The Trap at M ...
"Get her! Tonight I'm going to teach that arrogant b *** h a lesson!" Harold roared behind me.
Footsteps pounded after me – Kenneth first, then the two enraged men. I raced down the corridor, my high heels hampering my speed.
Ignoring the elevator – too slow, too risky – I pushed through the door to the stairwell and flew down the steps, nearly stumbling in my haste.
I burst out onto the ground floor, heart pounding, and crashed directly into a solid, warm chest. A familiar scent enveloped me – pine, moonlight, and something uniquely masculine.
Looking up abruptly, I found myself staring into worried ice – blue eyes. Connor Rivers stood before me, his expression shifting from concern to protective anger as he took in my disheveled appearance.
His arms came around me gently but firmly. "Livvy, what happened? Why are you running like this?"
For a moment, he seemed to realize he'd crossed a line. Then he rolled his eyes dramatically, grabbed his briefcase, and stormed off without another word.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. After ordering a taxi, I headed for Moonlight Club alone.
The club was only ten minutes away, its neon sign casting a purple glow over the entrance. Inside, I was directed to a private suite where Kenneth was already seated with two middle – aged men – Harold Blackwood and Douglas Thornton.
The scene that greeted me was distasteful at best. Both men, one overweight and the other with slicked – back hair that glistened with too much product, had heavily made – up women perched on their laps. The moment I entered, all eyes fixed on me with undisguised interest.
"And this is ...?" Harold asked, his gaze traveling over my body in a way that made my skin crawl.
Kenneth shot me a contemptuous glance but remained silent.
Maintaining my professional demeanor, I placed the contract on the table and smiled politely. "Mr. Blackwood, Mr. Thornton, I'm Olivia Winters from Moonlaw Legal Services, here to discuss our legal advisor agreement."
I sat down gracefully, determined not to show my discomfort. "Your contract with the previous firm is expiring, right? Our firm leads the industry in Riverdale, with top specialists in civil, criminal, IP, and administrative law. Also, I heard Mr. Thornton's company has a trademark dispute – we've handled thousands of those successfully." Harold barely glanced at the contract before tossing it aside. His eyes remained fixed on me as he smiled, revealing yellowed teeth.
"Legal advisor, huh? Easy. But first, Ms. Winters, have a few drinks with me, and then everything's negotiable."
Douglas leaned forward, his cologne overpowering. "Such a pretty woman should consider working for me instead. I'll pay you double what they're giving you. No more running around hustling clients."
The Trap at M ...
I kept my expression neutral despite the disgust churning in my stomach. "Sorry, Mr. Thornton. I'm here to negotiate legal services, not to sell myself."
Douglas laughed, a harsh sound that grated on my nerves. "No rush, sweetheart. Here's my card. If you ever get tired of ' working hard, call me."
I made no move to take it. "If you want to sign the contract, I'm happy to follow up. If not, there's nothing more to discuss."
His expression darkened. "Playing hard to get, huh?"
From the corner, Kenneth sneered, "Stop pretending to be some pure innocent."
Harold raised a glass, his smile turning predatory. "Come on, Ms. Winters, have a drink first, then we'll talk business."
My wolf instincts screamed danger. The drink he offered likely contained something sinister – I'd had enough experience with suspicious beverages to recognize the threat.
"Sorry, Mr. Blackwood, I don't drink," I replied firmly.
Harold's smile vanished. He set the glass down with deliberate slowness and rose from his seat, approaching me like a predator.
"So aloof. You don't understand the rules of this game. Let me teach you."
Before I could react, his sweaty hand clamped around my wrist. He lunged forward, his face inches from mine.
My training kicked in instantly. With a swift movement born of both anger and self – preservation, I twisted Harold's arm behind his back, applying just enough. pressure to make him yelp.
"You f ***** g b *** h! How dare you lay hands on me!" he howled, his face contorting with rage.
Douglas jumped up, his chair crashing to the floor. "You'll regret this!"
As he lunged toward me, I kicked out sharply, my heel connecting with a vulnerable spot. He doubled over with a howl of pain.
I took advantage of their momentary incapacitation to dash toward the door.
The Trap at M ...
"Get her! Tonight I'm going to teach that arrogant b *** h a lesson!" Harold roared behind me.
Footsteps pounded after me – Kenneth first, then the two enraged men. I raced down the corridor, my high heels hampering my speed.
Ignoring the elevator – too slow, too risky – I pushed through the door to the stairwell and flew down the steps, nearly stumbling in my haste.
I burst out onto the ground floor, heart pounding, and crashed directly into a solid, warm chest. A familiar scent enveloped me – pine, moonlight, and something uniquely masculine.
Looking up abruptly, I found myself staring into worried ice – blue eyes. Connor Rivers stood before me, his expression shifting from concern to protective anger as he took in my disheveled appearance.
His arms came around me gently but firmly. "Livvy, what happened? Why are you running like this?"
End of Whisper Chapter 79. Continue reading Chapter 80 or return to Whisper book page.