Chapter 5 I simply smiled , smoothed down my dress , and walked toward the door . Let her wonder . Let her worry . I stepped out of the restroom into the dim lighting of the club . My heels clicked against the polished floor as I made my way toward the dance floor . A familiar silhouette caught my eye - Primo, leaning against one of the ornate pillars , his attention fixed on me . His eyes widened when he spotted me . " Asteria ? I thought you were still … " He gestured vaguely toward the booth . " Changed my mind . " I kept my voice light , casual . " Then perhaps you'll finally honor me with a dance ? " He extended his hand , a practiced smile playing on his lips . " We should celebrate . After all , in a month's time … " 80 % 19:01 1/7 Chapter 51 I caught the calculated glint in his eye . The same look he'd given me countless times before , when he thought he held all the cards . " Of course , " I matched his fake warmth with my own . " How could I refuse ? " A flash of movement behind me drew his attention . Yesha emerged from the restroom , her face transforming from surprise to something darker when she saw us together . " Oh , you simply must let me get you both a drink first ! " Yesha's voice dripped with honey as she flagged down a passing server . She grabbed two champagne flutes , turning back toward us with exaggerated care . What happened next seemed to unfold in slow motion . Yesha's heel " caught " on an invisible snag in the floor . She stumbled . forward , the golden liquid arcing through the air in a perfect trajectory . The champagne splashed across the front of my Chapter 5 dress , the cold liquid seeping through the expensive fabric . " Oh no ! " Yesha's hand flew to her mouth in mock horror . " I'm so terribly sorry ! How clumsy of me . " I'd had enough . The champagne dripped down my dress , but my patience had evaporated faster . My hand struck Yesha's face with a crack that echoed through the club . She spun from the force , dropping to the floor with theatrical flair . " You crazy bitch ! " Yesha pressed her hand to her reddening cheek . Primo rushed to her side , helping her up . " What the hell is wrong with you ? " His face contorted with rage as he turned to me . " Primo , please . " Yesha clung to his arm . " She's obviously unstable . I shouldn't have provoked her . This is all my fault . " Her voice quivered with practiced vulnerability . The music had stopped . Dozens of eyes . locked onto our little drama , whispers . 80 % 19:01 3/7 81 Chapter 5 rippling through the crowd . " No one treats her like this . " Primo's hand shot up , ready to strike . I didn't flinch . I wouldn't give him the satisfaction . But the blow never came . A firm grip caught Primo's wrist mid - swing . " I wouldn't do that if I were you . " Adrian's voice cut through the tension , cool and controlled . Primo's head snapped around . " Who are you ? This doesn't concern you . " Adrian released Primo's wrist with deliberate slowness . The tension crackled between them as he stepped between us , his broad shoulders blocking Primo from view . " Are you alright ? " Adrian's gray eyes met mine , his voice dropping to a gentle murmur . " I can handle this , but something tells me you'd prefer to take care of it 80 % . 19:01 4/7 yourself . " I blinked , caught off guard by this stranger's perceptiveness . We'd only met minutes ago , yet here he stood , defending me while respecting my agency . The champagne still dripped from my dress , but I straightened my spine . " I've got this . " I gave him a small nod . " Who the hell do you think you are ? " Primo's voice rose behind Adrian . " Just someone who believes a gentleman should never raise his hand to a lady . " Adrian's tone remained maddeningly calm . " But I'll let Miss Mitchell handle this situation as she sees fit . " Yesha clutched Primo's arm tighter , her eyes darting between us . " Primo , who is this man ? " " I don't know . " Primo's jaw clenched . " And I don't care . This is a private matter . " I caught the barely perceptible quirk of 80 % 19:01 5/7 Chapter 5 Adrian's lips as he stepped aside , giving me the floor while remaining close enough to intervene if needed . The gesture spoke volumes , he wasn't here to play hero , just to ensure a fair fight . " You know what's funny , Primo ? " My voice carried across the now - silent club . " I know about you and Yesha . Did you really think I wouldn't find out ? " The color drained from his face . His eyes darted to Yesha , who gave him a small nod . " You're only marrying me to merge the families . " I smoothed my champagne- soaked dress . " Tell me , how long were you planning to keep me around after the papers were signed ? " Yesha leaned close to Primo's ear . " She knows everything , " she whispered , loud enough for those nearest to hear . Adrian's eyebrows shot up as he watched . the scene unfold . Around us , the crowd pressed closer , phones appearing in hands , eager to catch every word of this public spectacle . Primo's jaw worked back and forth . His eyes scanned the growing audience , recognition flickering across his features as he spotted several prominent family associates among them . " This is clearly a misunderstanding ." He forced a laugh , adjusting his tie . " We should discuss this in private , Asteria . Away from prying eyes . " " Why ? Scared of what else I might say ? " " Enough . " His voice dropped low , dangerous . " We'll talk about this later . This isn't the place . " Primo grabbed Yesha's arm and started to pull her away , his other hand extended toward me in a placating gesture . " We'll sort this out . Privately . " 80 % 19:01