Semua Bab Reckless Hearts: Bab 71 - Bab 80

"Please, let's talk about this," Katherine pleaded, stopping short of selling her soul to Holly. "You are a valuable asset to the team. The Institute needs you. You'll make an amazing teacher. After your surgery, I'll speak to the board and fast-track your promotion—" "Promotion?" Holly snickered, rolling her eyes. Joining the teaching staff was hardly a promotion. If anything, for someone with unparalleled talent like her, it was a demotion. "We both know that's not a promotion!" She clucked her tongue in contempt, wondering if Katherine had always seen her as nothing more than an idiot who could easily be manipulated with just a few empty promises. Deciding it didn't matter anyway since she'd resigned, Holly tried to leave again. But Katherine held on to her arm and switched gears as she ramped up her manipulation tactics, promising to find her the best dance instructor to help her return to the stage. "I know how much being a prima means to you. I'm sure your condition can be fix

The party was already in full swing when Holly arrived at Crush just after 3:00 PM, even though she was the guest of honour. She found Russel and Naomi at the bar, having a good old time sipping cocktails. "You made it!" Naomi placed her drink on the countertop and hugged her briefly, before pushing her to Russel. "That's a hell of a move you pulled, kid!" he said, giving Holly a bear hug. "Yeah, your exit was definitely not on my 2025 bingo card," Naomi chimed in, leading the way to a VIP booth upstairs, away from the deafening music and drunken voices. They sat down, with Holly running an appreciative gaze around the room. After Austin took over, the place had undergone a major revamp, and she liked the chic yet playful design better than the old, over-the-top, garish neon furniture. "What happened?" Russel asked, pulling out his laptop. "What was the final straw for you?" Forcing a smile on her face, Holly kept her response vague, blaming her career-ending injury for her sna

Weak as a newborn calf, Holly crumpled to the floor, holding her head in her hands as she pressed her clammy back on the cool, tiled wall. Angry didn't even begin to describe her feelings. She was mad as hell, not only at Russel and Naomi, but also at herself, because in her desperation to protect Andrei, she'd unknowingly allowed Cooper to get away with his crimes again. How many other women would he hurt because she was too much of a coward to stand up to him? How many more women would he break because she'd chosen love over her gut instinct? Still reeling from shock, Holly stumbled to her feet and returned to the VIP booth, her head pounding louder than the EDM music shaking the walls. She found Russel and Naomi snorting lines of coke on the coffee table, not in the least shocked or surprised. She wasn't the only cokehead in their circle; drug use was common. "Here, have some," Naomi offered, throwing a stainless steel snuff bullet at her. "It'll take the edge off." With

Traffic to The Empress was a breeze, and Andrei was at the hotel before everyone. He threw his car keys at the valet and headed to the Polo Bar on the second floor. He shrugged off his coat and sat in one of the Wingback chairs facing the masonry fireplace, appreciating the tasteful decor as he thawed out in front of the fire. On a typical day, the space doubled as a conference room for corporates or a wedding reception venue for smaller crowds. Today, it was specially transformed into an intimate setting for the supper with the Petrovs. "Can I get you something to drink, Mr Ivanov?" asked one of the waitstaff assigned to their party, handing Andrei a leather-bound menu. Before he could order his usual bourbon, his father strolled in with Pavel at his side. "Where is the mystery girlfriend?" he asked after they hugged and Pavel helped him out of his coat. Good question, Andrei thought as he pulled out his phone to check if Holly had texted him. "So, where is she?" Nikolai pre

For several seconds following his bombshell announcement, Andrei could swear he could hear a pin drop as a wave of stunned, heavy silence rolled through the room, sweeping them all up in its tense embrace. Then, as if a sorcerer had waved his magic wand and awakened them all from a deep slumber, it was pandemonium. Roman led the charge, bellowing his outrage at Andrei's blatant disrespect. All the English he knew flew out of the window, along with his composure, as he switched to Russian, promising swift retaliation if Nikolai dared to go back on his word. Not one to be outshone, Elena joined the fray and took a page from her husband's book, screaming at Andrei to get his shit together. "Your marriage with Veronika is going ahead as planned, with or without your say-so!" she fumed in her native tongue, pointing her blood-red talon-like fingers at Andrei. Firmly on their parents' side, Vladimir and Zhakariy threatened the Ivanovs with unprecedented violence if they didn't