Chapter 13 - The Eradication of Liam
The grand ballroom remained in a state of absolute, frozen shock. Not a single person dared to whisper, breathe too loudly, or move an inch.
Victor raised his hand slightly, signaling to the four massive, towering enforcers who had quietly materialized at the edges of the room. They moved with the synchronized, heavy cadence of executioners closing in on a condemned target.
"Take him out," Victor instructed his men, his voice dripping with icy finality. "Take him down to the lowest sub-level garages. Strip him of his phone, his wallet, and every single cent to his name. Put him on a one-way freight train heading straight out of this state, and ensure that if he ever sets foot within five hundred miles of this city again, his next conversation will be with a coroner."
"Yes, Boss," the lead enforcer rumbled deeply.
As Liam was hauled up by his collar, kicking, sobbing, and screaming hysterically like a broken child, the hotel's terrified general manager hurried over, bowing frantically toward Victor with trembling knees. "Mr. Russo! Please accept my deepest apologies for this... this catastrophic security failure! Whatever damages—"
"Save it, Marcus," Victor interrupted coldly, never breaking eye contact with Khloe. "If I ever see a pathetic insect like that breach a room containing Miss Hayes again, you won't have to worry about managing this hotel ever again, because it will belong to me."
"O-Of course, sir! Immediately, Mr. Russo!" the general manager stammered, practically backing away on all fours while wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
The surrounding elite guests watched in stunned awe. The message was loud, crystal clear, and absolute: Khloe Hayes was under the personal protection of Victor Russo, making her the most untouchable woman in the entire city.
Victor turned back to Khloe, offering her his arm with formal, old-world elegance, his dark eyes shining with undisguised warmth.
"Shall we dance, Miss Hayes?" Victor asked softly.
May you like
Khloe looked at the man who had dismantled her past, shattered her fears, and given her a future built on absolute strength and respect. A radiant, brilliant smile lit up her face.
She slipped her hand gently into the crook of his arm, resting her head lightly against his shoulder as the string quartet hesitantly resumed playing a slow, romantic waltz. "I would love nothing more, Mr. Russo."
