Chapter 1: Carry On With Whatever This Is
A military jeep roared down the bustling street lined with neon-lit bars, cutting through the revelry like a storm rolling in. The vehicle, adorned with a high-ranking officer’s insignia and a distinct license plate, commanded immediate attention. As it skidded to a stop in front of Serendipity, the shriek of its brakes shattered the night’s rhythm, a jarring contrast to the pulsing nightlife.
The door swung open and slammed shut with a force that echoed through the street, as if a gun had been fired. A man stepped out, his camouflage uniform at odds with the vibrant, urban chaos around him. His rigid stance, the sharp set of his jaw, and the air of quiet authority he carried made him an imposing presence as he strode forward.
Inside the bar, neon lights flickered in a kaleidoscope of colors, casting fleeting shadows across his chiseled features. The electrifying beats of dance music pulsed through the air, blending with the hum of inebriated conversation. Yet, despite the energy around him, the man carried an aura of silence, an unspoken demand for attention that made the very air feel heavy.
At the counter, Orion Draven leaned in, his voice low and smooth as he flirted with the bargirl. The alcohol had loosened his demeanor, his lazy smirk only sharpening when he noticed the uniformed figure entering the bar. In an instant, the haze lifted from his mind. Straightening, he tracked the man’s purposeful stride toward the elevator. Alarm bells rang in his head.
Orion scrambled off his stool, hurrying to intercept him. “Mr. Vale… What brings you to Serendipity tonight?” His voice carried forced casualness, but the icy stare he received in return drained the confidence from his tone.
The man’s gaze was unwavering, his voice clipped and commanding. “Where’s Selene?”
Orion swallowed hard. “I… I believe she’s at home tonight.”
The lie was weak, transparent.
Caspian Vale didn’t even acknowledge it. He pressed the elevator button for the top floor, the action sharp, decisive. “You have thirty seconds to warn her.”
Orion’s pulse spiked. His mind raced for a way out, but evasion was futile now. Hands trembling, he fumbled for his phone and dialed Selene Everly. The phone rang three times—no answer. Panic gnawed at him as he switched to WhatsApp, hastily recording a voice message.
“Selene, your husband is here to see you. He’s on his way up in the elevator.”
Despite his attempt to whisper, the words echoed in the tight elevator space.
A low chuckle rumbled from behind him. Cold, amused. The sound sent a shiver down Orion’s spine as the elevator doors slid open with a soft ding. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as Caspian stepped out with unwavering determination, his every movement carrying the weight of impending confrontation.
Orion trailed behind reluctantly, a prisoner to the storm he had no power to stop.
The hallway stretched ominously ahead, leading to the VIP suite. At the door, Caspian paused, and Orion seized the moment, desperation creeping into his voice. “Mr. Vale, I swear—she isn’t here.”
“Last chance.” Caspian’s tone was calm, eerily so. “Open up, or I’ll kick it down myself.”
“Please, just listen—”
“Three.”
Orion flinched.
“Two.”
The countdown struck like a hammer against his nerves.
“Fine,” he muttered, exhaling sharply. His fingers fumbled with the keycard, dread tightening around his chest. He had no choice. He couldn’t afford to cross the Vale family.
The lock beeped. The door creaked open.
Caspian’s eyes darkened, his expression settling into the hardened gaze of a seasoned soldier.
Orion hesitated before peeking inside—only to recoil instantly, inhaling sharply before diverting his gaze. He planted himself squarely in the doorway, unwilling to step further into the scene.
Inside, Selene Everly lounged on the plush sofa, a striking contrast to the tension at the entrance. Draped in a daring red slip dress, she radiated a bold defiance. Flanking her were two shirtless male escorts, their toned bodies marred with faint scratches—intimate traces of the night’s indulgence.
The sudden intrusion sent a ripple of tension through the room. The escorts tensed, muscles coiling in anticipation, their relaxed revelry abruptly shattered.
But Selene… Selene remained unfazed.
She slowly opened her eyes, a smirk curving at her lips as her gaze settled on the uninvited guest. A mischievous gleam flickered in her half-lidded eyes.
“Relax, boys,” she drawled lazily, voice dripping with amusement. “It’s not a police raid.”
She tilted her head, letting her gaze drift to Caspian with taunting ease. “Allow me to introduce him—this is my husband, the esteemed Caspian Vale of the Vale family. Surely, you’ve heard of him?”
The escorts exchanged wary glances but said nothing.
Selene’s smirk widened as she regarded Caspian with barely concealed mockery. “Mr. Vale, to what do we owe the pleasure? Shouldn’t you be off playing house with your childhood sweetheart instead of barging in here?”
Caspian remained unshaken. His expression unreadable, he moved forward with measured steps. The cold air from outside clung to his uniform, mirroring the frost in his demeanor.
Lowering himself into the sofa across from her, he crossed his legs leisurely. His smirk, when it came, was slow, detached, insincere.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he gestured toward the scene before him.
“Don’t mind me,” he murmured smoothly. “Carry on with whatever this is.”
