Chapter 3The $125,000 Mistake

My assistant is nothing if not efficient.

Less than twenty minutes later, two men in sharp black suits, my personal security detail, walked through the club's entrance carrying three large, heavy-duty briefcases.

Every head in the lounge turned.

The latches on the three cases were clicked open, revealing crisp, neat stacks of hundred-dollar bills. They seemed to glitter under the crystal chandeliers.

The murmuring crowd fell silent.

Vanessa's breathing became heavy, her eyes glued to the money.

Leo was stunned, his mouth hanging open as he stared at me in disbelief.

"Ethan, what are you doing? This isn't necessary…"

"Whether it's necessary or not isn't for you to decide," I said flatly.

I motioned for my assistant to push one of the cases in front of Vanessa.

"One hundred and twenty-five thousand. You should count it."

A flash of embarrassment crossed her face, but it was quickly swallowed by her avarice.

She actually reached out and began to count the money with a flourish, as if to prove a point. The sight of her, so smug and triumphant, was repulsive.

I turned my back on her and addressed my guests with an apologetic smile. "Gentlemen, I am truly sorry for this evening's spectacle. Please, allow me to cover all of your expenses tonight. Furthermore, I own a spa resort just outside the city. I'd like to invite all of you for a weekend retreat, on me, as a proper apology."

These were sharp men. They understood immediately that I was not just saving face, but demonstrating power. They accepted graciously, and the tense atmosphere finally eased.

After my friends had departed, the lounge was empty except for me, Leo, and Vanessa, who was still absorbed in her "counting."

Leo finally broke. He rushed over and grabbed my arm. "Ethan, don't be like this. Can we please talk about this at home? Don't be mad at me."

I pulled my arm free. Looking at his face, I felt like I was seeing a stranger.

"Leo, the moment you stood by and watched her humiliate me, you should have known there was no going back."

"I didn't, I…" he stammered.

Just then, Vanessa finished her count. She snapped the case shut, rising to her feet with an air of absolute victory that cut Leo off.

"Leo, darling, why are you wasting your breath on him? The bill is paid. We're even. We should really discourage this kind of riff-raff from coming around. It lowers the tone of Aura."

She took Leo's arm, her eyes locking with mine in a defiant stare.

"Oh, and by the way," she said, gesturing to the other two briefcases. "I'll be taking these two million as compensation for my emotional distress, and as an apology to Leo. Don't mind if I do."

She reached for the cases.

"Stop," I said, my voice cold as ice.

My two security men took a single, synchronized step forward, blocking her path.

Vanessa's expression soured. "What? Thinking of backing out?"

"Not at all," I said, walking towards her until I was looking down at her. "I just want to make sure you understand something. You can take this money. But I'm not so sure you can afford to spend it."

My assistant, perfectly on cue, presented a document and a pen.

"What is this?" Vanessa asked, suddenly wary.

"A receipt of services," I said simply. "You're accepting three million dollars. Sign here, acknowledging the payment, and we're all square. Otherwise, you don't get a single dime."

Vanessa snatched the document, her eyes scanning it quickly.

It listed all of her fabricated charges, along with the additional "Emotional Distress Compensation" and "Apology Fee." The terms were clear, the amounts precise.

To her, it was just a formality.

Without a moment's hesitation, she grabbed the pen and scrawled her name—Vanessa Croft—on the signature line.

She tossed the document back at me and moved triumphantly towards the money.

"There. Now the money is mine."

"Is it?" I carefully folded the signed paper, a cold smile touching my lips.

I took out my phone, not even bothering to look at them again, and made another call.

"We can begin."