Chapter 176:
Alexander’s professional demands meant late nights were routine, leaving Elena’s meals typically lacking his company.
Despite her fragile condition, Jolie would always wait for Elena to return—her love a constant, gentle presence. Her inquiries were soft about Elena’s day or whether she was hungry.
While family affection was once an alien concept for Elena, the other Harper family members had demonstrated what it meant by their actions. Warm food, gentle light, quiet concern—transforming mere walls into a sanctuary of belonging.
A message illuminated Elena’s phone after she consumed the last traces of her meal. A glance, a soft goodnight to Jolie, and she ascended the stairs. With practiced stealth, she slipped through the window, melting into the night.
Meanwhile, Empire was bustling with activity.
On the third floor, within a private room, Theo entwined himself with a woman whose attire bordered on provocative. Her black dress, daringly cut, revealed the curve of her bosom. An ultra-short skirt traced the line of her hips, while black stockings accentuated her long legs, culminating in stiletto heels that seemed to dare and challenge.
Under the dim lighting, she clung to Theo with a serpentine intensity. Theo had abandoned all restraint, surrendering completely to raw—
Unbridled desire consumed Theo. He pressed the woman onto the table, pouring red wine across her skin with one hand before leaning down to trace the liquid with his tongue.
The room erupted—a wild chorus of cheers and heated screams. “Theo! Theo! Theo!”
Theo looked up, his eyes filled with desire as he gazed at the woman. A group of wealthy, bored youth clustered together, seeking nothing more than momentary entertainment.
The atmosphere intensified when one man roughly pushed his companion onto the sofa, pulled down his pants, and started having sex with her. Her moans dissolved into the dim, charged environment.
Arousal rippled through the room. Some retreated to private corners with their companions, while others pursued more brazen encounters. Theo’s suit jacket lay discarded on the floor. His shirt hung half-tucked, half-loose, his body heavy with alcohol’s sharp scent.
The woman hooked her legs around his waist, her eyes glinting with invitation. “Theo, what are you waiting for?” she whispered.
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Theo gripped her waist, about to unzip his pants when the door suddenly burst open.
“Who is it? Can’t you see I’m busy?” Theo turned, impatience flickering across his face. The moment he saw Joseph at the door, he immediately released the woman and stood up. “Joseph, what brings you here?”
Sobering instantly, Theo kicked the man on the sofa.
Seeing Joseph, the man went pale with fear. He hastily withdrew, not even bothering to dress, and scrambled out of the room.
“Get out!” Theo barked.
The women reluctantly left the room.
Only then did Joseph enter. Theo straightened his clothes. “Joseph, it’s been a while since I was out to have some fun…”
