* 2nd * Chapter 400 : You should be thanking me.

The neon glow of Broadway Bar painted everything in shades of gold and violet, the low thrum of jazz spilling from hidden speakers as laughter rippled through the haze of whiskey and cigar smoke. When Alexander Vanderbilt stepped inside, the energy shifted—heads turned instinctively. He had that commanding presence that didn’t need to shout to be noticed.

At the corner booth, Hugo was already two drinks in, lounging with his sleeves rolled up and his grin sharp. He lifted his glass lazily when Alexander approached.

“So,” Hugo drawled, eyes gleaming with mischief, “did you ask Serena why she spent two nights at that hotel? Don’t tell me she was catching up with her first love?”

Alexander shot him a look colder than the ice melting in his glass. He brushed past and muttered flatly, “Stop talking crap about her.”

The bite in his tone silenced Hugo for half a second. He watched Alexander sit, then let out a low whistle. Before everyone knew that Ava and Serena were the same person, Alexan