Chapter 712
Chapter 712
“It wasn’t me, Mr. Chambers, it wasn’t me.”
Elsie struggled to articulate each word, her gaze still held that teetering glint of injustice and innocence.
No one knew better than her what fate awaited those who betrayed Avery. She didn’t want to die – not
because she feared death, but because she couldn’t bear to go out with such a whisper, unnoticed and
unvalued.
So, she vehemently pleaded her case, “Mr. Chambers, what do I gain from betraying you? Only Harvey
and I knew about this. Any move I make would be quickly noticed by you. Am I that foolish to court
death? Besides, I’m here at the Velvet Haven from dawn till dusk. Surrounded by your watchful eyes,
every single move I make is under your surveillance; I have no chance to even make contact with Ms.
Ashbourne and Mr. Abernathy. Where’s the betrayal in that?”
Her words slowly ebbed the malice from Avery’s eyes, hitting the nail on the head.
Seizing the moment, Elsie hurriedly pressed on, “Mr. Chambers, my wretched life is in your hands.
Without you, I’m nothing. I’ve plotted against Thaddeus before. If they ever take you down, and the
nest is overturned; how could they possibly spare me?!”
Avery’s gaze darkened with suspicion, but he slowly released his grip on her.
Just then, Harvey burst in, frantic, “Mr. Chambers! There’s a trouble!”
Avery irritably pulled his tie, “What now?”
“Elvis is here!”
Elsie felt as if her veins would explode, her body trembling uncontrollably. She remembered those
bright and lively eyes, her throat parching as if that ruthless hand was choking her once more, leaving
her nearly breathless.
“What? Elvis?” Avery ground his teeth, his voice dark, “Is he alone?”
“Yeah, solo!”
Harvey spat with venom, “The punk just waltzed into our territory alone. Definitely up to no good. Mr.
Chambers, shall we teach him a lesson?”
“Against a top–tier agent with your parlor tricks?”
Avery pushed up his gold rim glasses with his slender finger, “If he dared to step into the Velvet Haven,
it means he’s capable of leaving here in one piece. Elsie, go change. Meet with him.”
“Mr. Chambers.” Elsie’s heart raced, a sheen of sweat on her forehead.
“Charm him, bait him, and when the opportunity arises, make sure he dies by your hand.”
Avery’s lips curled into a sinister smile, whispering in her ear, “If, as you say, your heart has always
been with me, then don’t make me wait too long.”
Elvis sat alone in the Velvet Haven’s most luxurious private room. His muscular arms, hidden beneath
a black trench coat, rested casually along the back of the sofa, his gaze half–indifferent, half–lazy,
radiating an aura that kept others at bay.
The manager approached with a smile, carrying a selection of fine liquor, but before he could speak,
Elvis casually interjected.
“I drove here, and I don’t drink and drive.”
“Ah, but who comes to the Velvet Haven and doesn’t enjoy a drink? You’d miss out on so much fun.
We’ll arrange a driver for you later, our treat!”
“I’m not into booze; I’m into beauty.”
Elvis‘ eyes gleamed mischievously as he flicked a cigarette into his mouth, a half–smile playing on his
lips, “I want the prettiest girl you’ve got to keep me company tonight.”
As he finished, the door swung open, and Elsie’s delicate form entered, her presence carrying a subtle
fragrance. Their eyes met, and for a moment, someone’s heart skipped a beat.
“Nice, she’s just my type. I’m satisfied.” Elvis‘ gaze lingered on her tense face, a careless smile on his
lips, “She’s the one for tonight.
The manager discreetly left, closing the door softly behind him.
Elsie’s eyes, red with emotion, fixed on him. Under countless watching eyes, she could only offer a NôvelDrama.Org owns this.
professional smile, trying to be as seductive as possible. But her stiff cheeks couldn’t fool herself, nor
the man before her.
At that moment, on the other side of the surveillance, Avery sat watching through the screens in the
control room, monitoring their every move.
Every word, every breath in that room was picked up by the high–definition cameras and microphones.
“Ms. Archer, didn’t expect to see you here.”
Elvis‘ playful brows arched as he smoothly lied, “Been missing you since our last encounter. Been
wondering when we’d meet again. And here we are tonight.”
“I never thought I’d see Mr. Waverley here either,” Elsie said, her smile strained.
She knew his words were just a cover, yet her heart couldn’t help but flutter at his “missing you“.
Both seasoned players, they matched each other move for move, and not even Avery could spot a
flaw.
“So, it seems our souls were destined to meet across a thousand miles.”
Elvis‘ eyes narrowed playfully, exuding casual charm, “Come on, don’t be shy. Have a seat.”
As Elsie stepped forward, Elvis patted his thigh, “Right here.”
Avery, sitting on the sofa, leaned forward abruptly, a cold light flickering in his eyes.
Elsie’s heart lurched as she picked up her iris–colored dress and stepped toward Elvis.
“Ah!” Suddenly, he grabbed her arm, pulling her down into his embrace, her soft curves pressing firmly
against his solid thighs.
Avery’s fists clenched on the armrest, the expensive leather creased under his grasp.
Elvis breathed heavily, his voice tender, “Are you scared?”
Elsie’s heart pounded, her cheeks flushed like blooming peach blossoms, “Mr. Waverley, please.”
The double entendre hung in the air. How could she not be scared?
Her slender body trembled in his arms,
Elvis chuckled, his breath a warm caress against the nape of her neck. The slight touch was enough to
paint a blush on the delicate canvas of her skin, “That smile on your face when you walked in was
downright ugly.”
Elsie pressed her lips together, silent.
Elvis‘ embrace tightened around her, as if he intended to fold her supple body in half. He gazed down,
his eyes tracing the tantalizing shadow of cleavage beneath her plunging neckline, her skin quivering
seductively.
What man could resist the impulse to stir the waters of desire upon such a sight?
Elsie’s heart raced with apprehension, her instinct not to flirt or encourage, but to maintain was being
pretentious or affected.
a distance from him. It wasn’t that she
It was just that this man was too good, too exceptional. Every time she got close, she was
overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy and inferiority that threatened to consume her. It made her feel
dirtier, lower, more sinful.
“This isn’t the place. Too many eyes watching, can’t do what I want.”
His cool lips grazed her ear, now a crimson hue, “Come with me.”
“Where to?” Elsie fluttered her lashes, a current of electricity racing through her.
“Let’s find a spot. Spend the night with me.”
With those words, Elvis scooped her up and strode out of the private room, indifferent to the shocked
stares of the onlookers.
In the Velvet Haven, everyone understood one rule: no one but Mr. Chambers had the right to take Ms.
Archer away! And yet, this man dared to break that rule! Indeed, he had the guts!
At first, Elsie was terrified, but when she looked up and saw Elvis‘ determined gaze fixed ahead,
without a hint of hesitation, her worries vanished. She closed her eyes and curled up against his chest.
In this moment, anywhere was fine; she just wanted to be with him.
“Mr. Chambers! Elvis‘ taken Ms. Archer away in his car!” Harvey was frantic.
He knew that for years, Mr. Chambers had only seen Elsie as a cheap stand–in for Evadne, callously
shattering her dignity time and again, using her as a tool for his own gain. But no one was allowed to
take Elsie from the Velvet Haven.
Elvis was blatantly stepping into Mr. Chambers‘ minefield!
“Get some people and chase them down!”
Avery was livid, his chest burning with rage, “Whatever it takes, bring Elsie back to me!”
The black Aston Martin raced through the night, Elvis driving with the window down, his hair tousled
and wild. One hand on the wheel, he looked both at ease and in control. The speed, however, made
Elsie feel terribly dizzy, as if she were hungover.
As soon as they pushed through the hotel room door, she dashed into the bathroom, hunched over the
toilet, heaving as if she’d been on a three–day bender.
Elvis leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a smirk, “Ms. Archer, with that level of tolerance,
you’d probably struggle with 3D and VR games. I was hoping for a new gaming partner.”
“Mr. Waverley, you do have diverse interests.”
She moved to the sink, turned on the tap, and rinsed her mouth with cupped hands; then splashed
water on her porcelain face like a meticulous cat, washing away the discomfort.
Elvis‘ gaze lingered on the butterfly bones of her back, which were quivering as if they might take flight
at any moment. “When I took you away from the Velvet Haven, Snakey Avery’s goons were on our tail.
How else was I going to shake off those leeches without speeding?”
“Why did you suddenly show up at the Velvet Haven?”
Elsie caught her breath and looked at Elvis behind through the mirror, a shadow of worry flickering in
her eyes, “I know you’re a top agent, capable of anything. But even the best can slip, and don’t
underestimate Avery. If he wants you dead, he’ll keep trying, again and again, until he succeeds.”
“I’m aware.
se would he send you to me? A talent showcase?”
Elvis raised an eyebrow, teasing her, “But from what I’ve seen, Ms. Archer, aside from being beautiful
and having a great figure, you don’t seem to have much talent, do you?”
Elsie’s heart clenched, and she looked down, flustered. So he knew everything from the start, including
her purpose, sent by Avery to seduce him.
“Why get involved in this wolves‘ den if you knew it all along?”
“I wanted to see how you were,” Elvis‘ voice was a magnetic whisper, like a breeze through a quiet
forest at night. door for money.”
“How else? It’s the same old story; day in, day out. Smiling at
Elsie’s bitter laugh masked her self–derision as she insulted herself with the ugliest words, forcing
herself not to harbor any covetous thoughts, “Just a slightly more respectable harlot.”
Then, silence fell behind her. After a few seconds, she heard his steps approaching her, each one
echoing like a footfall on her heart.
“I don’t care about any of that.” Elvis said quietly, his voice restrained and soft as he leaned close to her
ear, “I’m just worried Avery might make things difficult for you.”