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Alexander pulled a sleek, heavy titanium card from his inner pocket and tossed it onto the ivory tablecloth. It clattered against the crystal water glass, sliding to a halt inches from the restored silver cuff link box. / Chapter 5 / 30

Chapter 5 - The Queen’s RetortThe music cut off instantly.

The dancers turned, looking at Alexander with amused expressions, clearly not intimidated by the furious man in the expensive suit.

Erin slowly turned her head. She picked up her crystal glass of Krug champagne, took a slow, elegant sip, and set it down. She looked at Alexander not with fear, or anger, or submission—but with absolute, crushing indifference.

“You’re back early, darling,” Erin said, her voice dripping with honeyed sarcasm. “Did Sophia finish her dessert too quickly?”

Alexander marched straight up to her, his chest heaving, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white. “Are you out of your absolute mind?! You spent over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars in less than an hour! On… on strippers? In our home?!”

“Your home?” Erin arched an elegant eyebrow, standing up from her chair and smoothing down the front of her dark blue dress. She looked him dead in the eye. “Correction, Alexander. This is my home. My father’s architectural firm funded the down payment on this estate before you even made partner at your investment firm.”

Alexander blinked, momentarily stunned by her defiance. “You gave me an unlimited black card,” Erin continued, her voice rising, ringing out clear and powerful through the silent room. “You told me to buy whatever it took to keep myself occupied while you went out to wine and dine your first love on our second wedding anniversary. So, I invested in some high-end entertainment.”

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“This is insane!” Alexander yelled, turning to the dancers. “Get out! Get out of my house right now!”

Leo, the lead dancer, stepped forward, towering over Alexander by three inches with a cool, dangerous smile. “Hey, man. Watch your tone with the lady. We were hired, paid in full via your corporate black card, and we’re enjoying a lovely private party. If you have a problem, take it up with your accountant.”

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