The Villains Must Win-Chapter 57: Alexander Vale 7

She was still mulling over her next move when—

"Celeste?"

A familiar voice called her name, cutting through the air like a blade.

Celeste stiffened, her heart skipping a beat as she turned—

And there he was.

Ethan Carter.

And standing right beside him, looking just as stunned—Riley Evans.

For a split second, time slowed.

Ethan was dressed in a crisp navy-blue suit, his sharp features unreadable, though his dark eyes flickered with something—surprise? Suspicion? Displeasure?

Beside him, Riley looked equally caught off guard, her blue eyes widening as she took in Celeste, elegantly seated at a VIP table, dressed in a sleek, form-fitting dress that screamed luxury and power.

Celeste quickly recovered, tilting her head with an easy, practiced smile.

Showtime.

"Well, well, what a coincidence," Celeste drawled, taking a leisurely sip of her wine before setting the glass down with deliberate grace.

Ethan’s gaze flickered toward the empty seat across from her. "You’re not dining alone." novelbuddy.cσ๓

Celeste let out a soft, amused hum. "Obviously."

Ethan’s jaw tensed. "Who?"

Celeste arched a brow, allowing just enough pause to build anticipation before delivering the bombshell.

"Alexander Vale."

Riley visibly stiffened. Ethan’s expression darkened.

Leaning back in her chair, Celeste beamed, her smile widening as she watched the exact reaction she wanted unfold before her eyes.

"Are you two . . . going out?" Riley asked immediately, her voice laced with both curiosity and disbelief.

Ethan’s sharp gaze snapped toward Celeste, his jaw tightening.

Celeste, catching the flicker of jealousy in his eyes, chuckled. "That’s right," she purred. "And I’m also his secretary."

Ethan’s expression darkened. "What are you planning, Celeste? Why are you with a man like Alexander Vale?"

Celeste leaned back in her chair, tilting her head playfully. "And why not? Alexander is quite the catch, wouldn’t you agree, Miss Evans?"

Riley’s face shifted from surprise to a deep frown. Her blue eyes flickered with something that almost looked like concern—or maybe disbelief.

"Be careful," Riley warned, her voice softer now. "Alexander might be a good catch, but he’s also possessive and arrogant."

"I like them possessive and arrogant."

"And who exactly is possessive and arrogant?" a familiar, commanding voice cut through the air.

The atmosphere instantly shifted.

Alexander Vale had arrived.

Even in a room full of powerful men, he stood out.

Ethan, standing at six feet, was already tall—but Alexander was taller. Broader. While Ethan had the clean-cut, perfect male lead charm, Alexander exuded raw authority, a presence that demanded attention. The kind of presence that made people instinctively step aside when he walked past.

And right now, his golden eyes were locked onto Ethan Carter like a predator sizing up a rival.

"Riley," Alexander greeted smoothly before his gaze flicked to Ethan, a slow smirk forming as he took in the way Riley and Ethan stood close together. His hand reached for Celeste’s, effortlessly intertwining their fingers. A deliberate move.

"I see you’ve already reunited with Carter here," Alexander mused. "Is that why you broke up with me? You wanted to be with him that badly that you even became his secretary?"

Riley’s expression hardened. "Of course not. You don’t know anything, so stop accusing me of nonsense. And what about you?" she shot back. "Already dating another woman?"

Alexander chuckled, the sound deep and unbothered. "What can I say? Women come to me on their own. And any man would be a fool to turn down someone as beautiful as Celeste Hart."

Celeste’s lips twitched, resisting the urge to laugh. Oh, this man. He certainly knew how to put on a show.

Ethan, however, was far from amused.

His scoff was sharp. "You don’t know anything about that woman. She’s a gold digger."

Instead of taking offense, Celeste laughed.

"A gold digger?" she echoed, feigning surprise. "Well, maybe. But I sure as hell never cheated on you and my past boyfriends."

Ethan’s expression stiffened.

Celeste didn’t stop there. She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping into something more mockingly sweet.

"Unlike you, Ethan—who had Sophia, Flora, Georgina, and those little heiresses you strung along just so they convince their darling daddies to do business with you."

The color drained from Ethan’s face.

Riley’s hand, which had been loosely resting on Ethan’s arm, snapped away.

"Ethan," she said, her voice low, controlled—but Celeste caught the shock and anger in her expression.

Riley turned to face him fully, her blue eyes searching his for answers. "Is that true?"

Ethan hesitated.

And that was all the answer Riley needed.

Celeste smirked as realization dawned on Riley’s face.

"Oh my," she gasped, covering her mouth in mock surprise. "You didn’t know?" She shook her head with a sigh. "Well, Miss Evans, I suggest you start paying attention. After all, it’s your job to manage Mr. Carter’s schedule from now on—including squeezing in all those heiresses to fit into his busy day."

"Shut up, Celeste."

Ethan’s voice was cold, laced with frustration. He pointed a finger at her, but before he could say anything more—

Alexander moved.

Fast.

One second, he was relaxed beside her. The next, he had subtly shifted, placing himself between Celeste and Ethan, his expression darkening.

"You’d better not point a finger at my girlfriend if you know what’s good for you, Carter."

Ethan’s glare burned. "Girlfriend?" His voice dripped with disbelief before he scoffed. "She’s nothing but my trash. You’d better keep your low-class gold digger in check if you know what’s good for you, Vale."

Celeste gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Trash? Low-class? How rude!" she teased. "At least I’m not the one running a harem behind my girlfriend’s back."

Ethan’s nostrils flared. He turned to Riley, reaching for her arm. "Come on, Riley. Let’s go."

But Riley pulled away before he could touch her. She didn’t say a word. She just turned on her heel and walked ahead, leaving Ethan standing there.

Celeste grinned, waving her fingers at him. "Bye, Ethan. Nice knowing you, Riley~"

Ethan shot one last heated glare at her before following Riley to their table.

Once they were gone, Alexander sat down across from Celeste, his expression unreadable.

There was a long silence.

Then, he leaned back, one brow arching.

"I thought you said Ethan Carter couldn’t afford a place like this?"

Celeste chuckled, picking up her wine glass. "Apparently, he can—with the right woman." She took a slow sip, eyeing Riley, who was still visibly fuming as she having a confrontation with Ethan.