Their Bet, Her Empire

of the bar at Velvet Orchid, the clink o

in this Beverly Hills lounge where mo

ess probably costing more than Ava' s las

at the air, like the worl

white designer heel against a barstool

practiced lo

Chloe sighed, loud e

Ava. "You. Waitress.

d was heavy, laced with contempt.

e' s gaze, h

erbilt, but that's n

hrough Chloe' s friends.

use

rvice by the entrance," Ava said, her

iation flashed across her fac

gret this,

ensive perfume and disdain. Ava let out a slo

her. He was leaning against the exit, casual but with an intensity in his ey

ed, a charming smile

odded

his tone smooth. "She gets li

re your nerve. Not many

t watch

loser, "maybe you're tired of this place. I c

a flicker of somethi

A different

elt too easy, too conveni

l, hopeful smile.

ng he had her. "Th

e. She decided to play.

e, hidden by a large potted palm. She heard voices from the priv

ed amused, but also a little hesitant. "A who

ated me. I want her broken. I want everyone to see that trash like her can' t ha

iffany, chimed in. "It' s a brilliant bet, Chloe! He showers her with luxury, makes he

ound. "And what' s my incentive,

e I' ll finally consider your proposal about th

tray. So, that was the "off

unity nonetheless. They thought they were setting a trap for her. They had no idea they were walking

ypical of Chloe' s casual cruelty. Chloe had been dared by one of

sticky, red cocktail down the f

of apology in her voice. "You should clean th

her foot, expec

tain on her blouse, the

s. Vanderbilt," Ava had said, her v

It was about control. Chloe Vanderbilt couldn' t stand anyone, especially someone she considered beneath her, not bowing to her will.