Chapter 3 The Compensation For A Night With Him

"Iris, come over and meet Elianna."

As soon as Iris entered the house, Bryanna was there to welcome her with a warm smile.

Elianna slowly raised her head, her innocent, wide eyes filled with unshed tears.

Bryanna let out a soft sigh, gently taking Elianna's hand. "What rich young man doesn't fall into the nightlife trap? Especially someone like Vincent."

Elianna snuffled, her voice wavering. "My brother told me Vincent was at a shady nightclub. I didn't believe it, so I went to check for myself. And there he was, surrounded by women."

Bryanna squeezed her hand gently. "You're seeing him now. You need to keep him in check."

Elianna buried her face in her hands, sobbing. "I begged him to leave with me, but he wouldn't listen."

Bryanna's brow furrowed. "Then let Clint bring him back."

Elianna shook her head. "Clint already tried. He won't budge."

Bryanna paused, thinking. Then she turned to Iris. "Iris, he might not listen to us, but he won't have the heart to turn down a younger girl like you. Go get him."

Iris nodded and started to leave.

"Take Clint with you," Bryanna called after her.

If there had been any other option, she wouldn't have sent Iris into a nightclub.

But Clint Tucker, the family's trusted driver, was dependable. With him there, she felt a little more at ease.

The club was alive with flashing lights, throbbing music, and wild indulgence. People clung to one another, lost in the chaotic excess of it all.

As Iris wove through the madness, hands reached out, trying to grab her as if she were just another prize.

Pushing open the door to the VIP lounge, she was hit by the scene before her.

Vincent lounged on the leather sofa, a cigarette hanging from his fingers, his other arm sprawled casually along the backrest.

A seductive woman sat on his lap, feeding him wine, the smoke curling around him like a veil.

Iris stood out-composed and dignified-amid the wild chaos.

Suddenly, the music stopped. All eyes snapped to Iris.

She took a step forward and said softly, "Uncle Vincent, Miss Dawson is waiting for you at home."

"Uncle?" A man's laugh echoed through the room, dripping with mockery. "Isn't this the orphan the Stewarts took in? She's grown up into quite the beauty, hasn't she?"

Iris met the man's gaze, immediately recognizing him-Connor Russell, the notorious son of Adrian Russell, a powerful official.

With his father's power behind him, Connor was spoiled and reckless.

No wonder Elianna was angry. There was nothing good to come from Vincent being involved with someone like Connor.

"What a stunner," Connor said leeringly, his eyes dark with desire. He lifted his glass and started toward Iris.

With a swift motion, he grabbed a lock of her hair, bringing it to his nose and inhaling deeply. "Mmm... divine."

"Get lost!" Vincent rumbled menacingly, staring at Iris.

Iris felt a shiver run down her spine.

Connor smirked at Vincent, then leaned in closer, pressing the glass of wine to Iris's lips. "Since you're here, why not share a drink with me?"

Laughter rang around the room.

Then a loud crash followed as a wine bottle shattered, red liquid spilling across the floor as Vincent's companion screamed in shock.

Connor spun around, his face frozen in disbelief, blood trickling down his forehead.

Vincent discarded the broken bottle, wiping his fingers casually. "I give only one warning."

Only then did the others realize-the "get lost" had been meant for Connor.

Vincent pulled Iris into his embrace, his voice cold as he addressed the room. "Consider all deals cancelled. Stewart Group will no longer do business with any of you."

Shock swept through the everyone.

They had spent the entire night trying to convince Vincent to invest.

In an instant, it had all slipped away.

Vincent draped an arm around Iris's shoulders, teetering as he led her out.

Clint held the car door open. Vincent practically shoved Iris into the back seat of the car.

"To Skycrest Villas," he muttered, his voice husky, his body pressing against hers.

Skycrest Villas was the most exclusive enclave in town.

When it had first opened two years ago, even Bryanna couldn't secure a unit, despite her high connections. Yet Vincent had bought one with ease.

Vincent's hand slid up Iris's thigh, pushing past the slit of her dress. "I don't like you wearing such tight clothes."

His voice carried an edge of disapproval.

Iris turned her head away, deliberately ignoring the alcohol-laced scent of his breath. Calmly, she said, "Miss Dawson and Bryanna are waiting for you back at your family mansion."

"You really seem to have an attachment to that place," he murmured, his teeth brushing her earlobe, his warm breath sending a shiver across her skin.

A soft whimper escaped her before she could stop it. In a panic, she covered her mouth with her hand.

Although Clint was one of Bryanna's most trusted men, Vincent still did anything as he pleased.

The sudden ring of a phone shattered the silence. Vincent pressed Iris's hand down. "Don't answer it."

But Iris answered anyway.

Bryanna's voice crackled through. "Have you found Vincent?"

Outside, the night was thick with darkness, blurring the boundary between shadow and night.

Inside the car, Vincent became bolder.

The sound of fabric tearing echoed through the call.

The cool air stung Iris's thigh.

Vincent had torn her dress, his hand slipping where it shouldn't.

Iris fought to steady her voice. "Not yet..."

Vincent smirked, satisfied with her answer. His touch, rough just moments ago, turned unexpectedly gentle.

From the phone came the sound of Elianna's muffled sobs.

Bryanna said sharply, "Tell Vincent this-Elianna is still waiting for him. She won't leave until he comes back."

Without hesitation, Vincent snatched the phone from her hand and ended the call. Grabbing her chin, he crushed his lips to hers.

The scent of alcohol mixed with his familiar cologne flooded her senses.

Her body faltered, betraying her. A storm churned inside her.

Since she was a child, she had never lied to Bryanna.

But ever since Vincent had returned, she was forced to lie again and again.

The car rolled into Skycrest Villas.

Clint glanced in the rearview mirror at Iris's flushed face. "Mr. Stewart is drunk. Could you please help him inside?"

Vincent leaned heavily against her, appearing barely conscious.

Having no other choice, Iris helped him into the house.

Once they stepped inside, everything spun-before she could even react, she found herself wrapped in a strong, warm embrace.

Vincent paused, speaking to Clint. "You can take a month off. Go visit your family."

Clint understood at once, nodded, and drove off without question.

By the time Iris realized she had walked straight into a trap, it was too late.

Vincent shoved her onto the bed, pinning her beneath him.

Their first time had been at a gazebo.

Nervousness, pain, and unfamiliarity, all mixed with the fear of being caught.

This time, Vincent's breathing was just as ragged, but his movements were slower, more deliberate.

Iris soon discovered that intimacy wasn't only pain; beyond it, there was immense pleasure.

When morning arrived, Vincent was leaning back against the headboard, long fingers lazily twirling a card between them. A mocking smile tugged at his lips. "'In your smile, I find my light; with you, every day feels right.' How cheesy."

Iris made to snatch the card, but Vincent flicked it to the floor.

"Jayden Warren, huh? A student council president? Or is he just some scholarship kid from a struggling family?"

His voice was thick with sarcasm.

Iris stayed silent, quietly putting on her undergarments.

Jayden was the student council president-one of the university's brightest students.

But unlike her, he came from a privileged background. He was a true heir to wealth.

She never imagined he would confess his feelings to her. And worse-Vincent had found out about it now.

Iris bent, picked the card, and slipped it into her handbag.

Without glancing at her, Vincent flung a black card in her direction. "No limits. Spend however much you like."

Was this the compensation for a night with him? Iris set the credit card aside. "No need. I don't need money."