Victor stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway, his hand resting lightly on the doorknob. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay beyond. With a nod to himself, he turned the knob and pushed open the door.
The room was dimly lit by candles, their flickering light casting shadows across plush red velvet walls and floor-to-ceiling drapes. In one corner stood an ornate four-poster bed, its sheets rumpled as if recently used. A woman lay naked on top of them, her eyes closed as she breathed heavily through parted lips. Her skin glistened with sweat under the warm glow of candlelight.
Victor's gaze travelled downward to take in her curvy figure - full hips swaying invitingly beneath him as she writhed on the bed - before returning to her face once more.
As Victor entered, she rose gracefully to greet him.
"Ah, Victor darling," she purred, her voice a melodious contralto. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten our little rendezvous."
Victor gave a thin smile as he crossed the room. "You know I'd never forget you, Vivian. Especially not when there's important business to discuss."
He bent to kiss her cheek, then settled into the chair opposite hers. A crystal decanter of amber liquid sat on the small table between them, along with two empty glasses.
Vivian arched an eyebrow. "Business? And here I thought you might actually be here for the pleasure of my company."
"Your company is always a pleasure, my dear," Victor replied smoothly. "But I'm afraid more pressing matters have brought me here tonight."
He poured a measure of whiskey into each glass, handing one to Vivian before taking a sip of his own. The smoky liquid burned pleasantly as it went down.
"I take it this has something to do with our mutual friend, Mr. Davis?" Vivian asked, swirling the whiskey in her glass.
Victor's eyes sharpened. "Indeed it does. Tell me, how is your... association with our esteemed financial manager?"
A catlike smile played across Vivian's lips. "Oh, it's progressing quite nicely. Reginald is utterly besotted. You should see the way he looks at me, Victor. Like a starving man gazing upon a feast."
"Excellent," Victor nodded. "And his wife? Has he mentioned her at all?"
Vivian laughed, a tinkling sound like crystal bells. "His wife? Oh no, darling. When I'm with Reginald, I don't think he remembers he has a wife. Or a family. Or a life outside of whatever room we happen to be in at the moment."
Victor leaned forward, his expression intent. "You've done well, Vivian. But I need to be certain. Davis is a significant threat to my plans - perhaps the most dangerous obstacle we face. I need him thoroughly distracted, his judgment clouded. Can you assure me of that?"
Vivian's smile faded, replaced by a look of steely determination. "Victor, my dear, you wound me. When have I ever failed you? Reginald Davis is wrapped so tightly around my little finger, he can scarcely breathe without my permission. His heart, his mind, his very soul - they all belong to me now."
She took a sip of whiskey, her green eyes never leaving Victor's face. "But I must admit, I'm curious. What exactly has our dear Reginald done to earn such focused attention from you? He's a brilliant financial mind, to be sure, but hardly seems the type to pose a true threat to someone of your... capabilities."
Victor's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Davis is more dangerous than you realize, Vivian. His financial acumen is unparalleled. He has the capability to sniff around some of our more... delicate operations. If he were to piece together the full scope of what we're planning, it could bring everything crashing down around our ears."
He stood, pacing before the fire as he continued. "Moreover, he has the ear of Jonathan Whitmore. And while Whitmore may be past his prime, he still wields considerable influence. If Davis were to turn him against us, it would be catastrophic."
Vivian watched him, a calculating gleam in her eye. "I see. And is that why you've set me upon poor Reginald? To keep him distracted while you manoeuvre your pieces into place?"
Victor turned back to her, his expression grim. "Partly, yes. But it's more than that. I need Davis neutralized, Vivian. Completely and utterly destroyed."
Vivian's eyebrows rose. "Destroyed? That's rather extreme, isn't it? I thought the plan was simply to keep him occupied."
"Plans change," Victor said curtly. "Davis has proven more resilient - and more inquisitive - than anticipated. He needs to be removed from the board entirely."
He retook his seat, leaning forward intently. "I need you to ruin him, Vivian. Professionally, personally, utterly. When we're done with Reginald Davis, he should be a broken shell of a man, with no credibility, no influence, and no way to interfere with our agenda."
Vivian sat back, considering. "That's quite a tall order, Victor. Reginald may be infatuated, but he's not a fool. How exactly do you propose we go about destroying such a well-respected man?"
Victor set his glass down, his expression grave. "Vivian, what I'm about to ask of you is no small thing. The plan I have in mind will require significant sacrifice from you."
Vivian's eyebrow arched elegantly. "Sacrifice? Victor, you know I'm not one to shy away from difficult tasks, but you're beginning to worry me. What exactly are you proposing?"
Victor's eyes met hers, his gaze unwavering. " We're going to expose your affair with Davis - publicly, scandalously, and in a way that leaves no doubt about his indiscretions."
Vivian's eyes widened in shock. "Expose our affair? Victor, surely you can't be serious. That would ruin me as surely as it would ruin him!"
"I know," Victor said softly, a hint of regret colouring his voice. "And I'm truly sorry to ask this of you, Vivian. But it's necessary. Your reputation, unfortunately, is collateral damage in this scenario."
Vivian stood abruptly, pacing before the fire. "Collateral damage? Victor, do you have any idea what you're asking? The scandal would be enormous. I'd be ostracized from polite society, and my other... professional relationships would be jeopardized.
Everything I've worked for, all the connections I've carefully cultivated - gone in an instant!"
Victor watched her, his expression sympathetic but resolute. "I understand the magnitude of what I'm asking, Vivian. And I assure you, you will be well compensated for your sacrifice. But this is bigger than either of us. The stakes are too high to allow Davis to continue interfering."
Vivian turned to face him, her eyes flashing with anger and disbelief. "Compensated? Do you think you can simply throw money at this and make it all better? Victor, my reputation is my livelihood. It's how I operate in these circles, how I gain the trust and confidence of powerful men. Without it, I'm nothing."
"You underestimate yourself," Victor said, rising to join her by the fire. "Your skills, your intelligence, your ability to adapt - these are your true assets, Vivian. Your reputation can be rebuilt, given time and the right opportunities. And I promise you, I will provide those opportunities."
Vivian shook her head, still struggling to come to terms with the proposal. "Even if I were willing to consider this madness - and I'm not saying I am - how would we even go about it? It's not as if Davis and I have been careless in our liaisons."
Victor's lips curved in a small, satisfied smile. "Ah, but that's where the brilliance of the plan comes in. We're going to create the perfect opportunity - a public occasion where your affair with Davis will come to light in front of numerous witnesses."
Vivian's brow furrowed. "What sort of occasion did you have in mind?"
"The annual Whitmore Gala," Victor replied. "It's the social event of the season. Everyone who's anyone in London society will be there - including, of course, Reginald Davis and his wife."
Understanding dawned in Vivian's eyes. "And you want me to... what? Make a scene? Publicly declare my love for Reginald in front of his wife and half of London's elite?"
Victor shook his head. "Nothing so crude. We'll be far more subtle - and far more devastating. I have something very specific in mind."
He returned to his seat, gesturing for Vivian to join him. As she sat, still visibly shaken, Victor leaned forward, his voice low and intense.
"Here's what we're going to do," he began. "In the weeks leading up to the gala, you'll continue your relationship with Davis as usual. But you'll start dropping hints - subtle at first, then more overt - that you're growing restless, that you want more from him than stolen moments and secret rendezvous."
Vivian nodded slowly, her professional instincts beginning to engage despite her reservations. "I can do that. Reginald already struggles with guilt over our affair. Pushing for more commitment will only intensify that internal conflict."
"Exactly," Victor said approvingly. "By the time the gala arrives, Davis will be a bundle of nerves - torn between his growing feelings for you and his obligations to his wife and family."