Chapter 94: Chapter 94: The Weight of Ambition
The echo of the slamming door finally faded leaving the grand ballroom in a heavy suffocating silence.
Mrs. Gable let out a long controlled sigh her elegant facade returning instantly as she adjusted the sleeves of her dress "Ryan Gobbels has always been a deeply unpleasant man" said Mrs. Gable shaking her head "His family’s political influence is the only reason he even dares to set foot in my home and act with such complete disrespect."
"He is a pathetic worm" stated Aria her voice still dripping with cold rage as she smoothed down her gown "He truly believes that a senate seat gives him the right to touch whatever he wants and dictate terms to us.
If he ever dares to lay a hand on you like that again Evelyn I will not hesitate to ruin his career permanently."
Alexander stood perfectly still his eyes fixed on the entrance where the politician had just exited "Men like Senator Gobbels are entirely predictable" said Alexander his tone completely calm and devoid of emotion "They rely entirely on their titles to intimidate others.
The moment someone stands their ground they have absolutely no idea how to handle the pressure."
Mrs. Gable turned to look at Alexander a gleam of genuine admiration in her eyes "You handled that beautifully Alex" said Mrs. Gable "Most security personnel would have panicked or backed down the moment a senator started throwing threats around.
You didn’t break composure for a single second."
"I am on duty to protect this household tonight Madame" said Alexander offering a polite disciplined nod "A politician’s title does not change my assignment."
Aria shifted her gaze to Alexander her eyes tracking his sharp jawline.
The anger she felt toward Gobbels quickly began to morph back into that strange intoxicating mix of jealousy and arousal she had been battling all night.
She remembered how Alexander had completely dominated her in the garden and seeing him stand up to a powerful senator so effortlessly only made him look more like a true predator "Well the disturbance is handled" murmured Aria crossing her arms to hide the slight trembling of her fingers "But Gobbels will certainly try to retaliate through the zoning committee next week.
We need to prepare for his petty revenge."
"Let him try" stated Mrs. Gable with a cold confident smirk "He forgets that politicians can be bought sold and replaced.
I have enough leverage on his entire cabinet to keep him quiet for a lifetime.
For now the party is officially over and I want to rest."
She turned back to Alexander her smile turning warm and suggestive once more "Go back upstairs and keep an eye on Serena Alex.
Your contract runs until tomorrow morning and I expect you to be right there by her side when she wakes up from her little birthday nap."
"Understood Madame" said Alexander "I will ensure she is perfectly taken care of."
Alexander offered a final disciplined nod to both women before turning on his heel.
His footsteps faded quietly up the grand staircase leaving the two powerful matriarchs alone in the rapidly emptying ballroom.
Evelyn Gable signaled the remaining staff to clear the tables and dismiss the final security guards at the perimeter effectively closing the estate for the night.
Once the heavy oak doors were securely locked Evelyn turned her full attention to Aria.
The two women had been inseparable for decades—practically sisters bound by blood high-society secrets and shared trauma.
Evelyn walked over to a small bar cart pouring two neat glasses of top-shelf bourbon.
She walked back and handed one to Aria her expression shifting from the cold calculating hostess to a deeply concerned confidante "I noticed you eyeing the boy all night Aria" said Evelyn taking a slow deliberate sip of her drink "You know he is an active asset from TMC right?
You shouldn’t believe a single word that comes out of his mouth.
Serena became completely obsessed with him the second she saw his profile and she practically forced me to hire him as her birthday gift.
But I genuinely fear that my foolish innocent daughter is going to fall so deeply in love with him that she’ll give him my last cent or even sell me out just to keep him happy."
Aria froze her glass stopping halfway to her lips as a sudden wave of panic washed over her features "Evelyn... what exactly do you mean you ’noticed’?" asked Aria her voice tight.
"Oh please Aria" said Evelyn letting out a soft mocking sigh as she crossed her arms "Absolutely nothing that happens under this roof escapes my sight.
I know about the security feeds and I saw exactly how he devoured you in the garden and how violently you came for him.
I know TMC assets are explicitly trained to be formidable in bed but a powerful brilliant woman like you falling that easily?
I honestly thought that after everything that happened with him years ago... you would finally stop being so incredibly impressionable when it comes to love."
Aria’s cheeks flushed a deep burning crimson her authority completely evaporating in front of her closest friend.
She looked down at her glass swirling the amber liquid nervously "It’s not that I am in love with him Evelyn" muttered Aria her voice trembling slightly "But he... he truly has something special about him.
The way he takes control the way he looks at you—"
"Listen to yourself!" interrupted Evelyn her eyes widening in disbelief as she stepped closer "There you go again instantly defending him!
When was the absolute last time you actually defended a man in recent years Aria?
For a long time you explicitly treated them like nothing more than dogs with dicks meant to satisfy your physical needs.
But now?
Now you are actually defending a hired gigolo from me?"
Aria took a sharp breath her defensive walls slamming back up as she glared at her sister-in-all-but-blood "I am not defending his character Evelyn I am acknowledging his utility" stated Aria her voice dropping to a fierce whisper "He completely defused Gobbels without a single trace of fear and he managed to break through Serena’s spoiled demeanor in a single evening.
He is a dangerous weapon yes but don’t act like you didn’t just touch his crotch upstairs and admire him yourself."
Evelyn chuckled a dark cynical gleam in her eyes as she leaned against a marble pillar "Admiring a tool’s efficiency is vastly different from letting it rule your emotions my dear" said Evelyn "I know exactly what he is and I will use him to give my daughter the thrill she desires.
But you... you look at him with hunger Aria.
And a hungry woman makes mistakes that TMC will happily exploit to bleed us dry."
