BRUSHSTROKES OF REVENGE

Ana leaned so far across the table that Zac had to pull her back by the sleeve, his grip firm.

”Sit properly!”

”But I want to see!” Her voice was a whine, her body straining forward.

”You’ll see.”

”But what if I miss it?”

”You won’t.”

Ana huffed dramatically and crossed her arms, though her eyes remained glued to the entrance below, her leg bouncing with barely contained energy.

Meanwhile, Mindy quietly continued eating her mushroom tartlets as if nothing important was happening. She took another bite before calmly picking up her juice, her movements unhurried and serene.

Layla looked at her speechlessly. ”You’re really going to keep eating?”

Mindy looked at her innocently, her expression genuinely confused. ”What?”

”We’re supposedly here to watch someone’s downfall.”

Mindy shrugged, her tone matter-of-fact. ”I can watch while eating.”

Matthias quietly slid another small plate toward Mindy, the movement smooth and practiced. ”This one is fresh.”

Without hesitation, she picked one up, the golden exterior crackling. ”Thank you.”

Matthias only nodded, his gaze lingering on her face for a brief moment before he looked away.

Neither of them noticed the amused smiles around the table—Wade’s knowing grin, Layla’s raised eyebrow, Ana’s barely suppressed giggle.

Wade rested one elbow on the sofa and looked between them, his tone casual. ”So... Did you call us here just so we could watch Mindy have dinner?”

Everyone laughed, the sound warm and easy.

Matthias calmly replied, his voice steady, ”The show hasn’t started.”

Ana suddenly gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. ”They’re here.”

Everyone instinctively looked toward the entrance below, their attention sharpening.

Kelvin King walked inside, his stride confident and relaxed.

Unlike his usual composed appearance—the polished businessman, the dutiful brother—tonight he looked completely at ease.

Two stunning women clung to each of his arms, their laughter bright and musical. Both wore dresses that left little to the imagination, their makeup flawless, their smiles practiced.

Behind him followed two wealthy young businessmen, each accompanied by beautiful women of their own.

The group laughed loudly as they walked through the club, their voices carrying over the soft jazz, drawing glances from other patrons.

Kelvin slipped one arm around the waist of the woman beside him, his hand resting possessively on her hip. She giggled, leaning into him, her fingers trailing along his chest.

The manager hurried over respectfully, his posture deferential. ”Mr. King. Your private room is ready.”

Kelvin nodded lazily, his smile easy. ”Good.”

The manager immediately led the entire group toward one of the largest VIP rooms, the heavy wooden door opening to reveal plush sofas, dim lighting, and a private bar stocked with premium liquor.

The door closed behind them with a soft thud.

Silence returned to the main floor.

Ana blinked, her expression confused. ”...That’s it? We’re watching him party?”

Zac smiled mysteriously, his eyes glinting. ”Patience.”

Dante nodded, his tone knowing. ”Give it fifteen minutes.”

Layla looked confused, her brow furrowing. ”I don’t understand.”

Mindy quietly finished another tartlet before speaking, her voice calm and analytical. ”You planned this yesterday.”

Everyone looked at her, their attention shifting.

Matthias met her gaze, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He didn’t confirm or deny—he didn’t need to.

Fifteen minutes passed peacefully.

Ana had already finished half the desserts Matthias had ordered, her plate a graveyard of empty wrappers and smeared chocolate.

Dante looked horrified, his expression genuinely disturbed. ”Where does all that food even go?”

Ana proudly patted her stomach, her grin wide. ”Talent.”

Layla shook her head, her tone flat. ”No... That’s black magic.”

Mindy laughed, the sound soft and genuine.

Just then, the elevator doors opened once more, the chime cutting through the conversation.

Lucy’s graceful figure appeared, her posture elegant and composed. She wore a cream-colored evening dress that perfectly matched the sophisticated atmosphere of the Nightingale Club—simple, refined, expensive.

Behind her walked two female friends, both dressed similarly. Two bodyguards followed several steps behind, their presence discreet but unmistakable.

The manager immediately walked over, his smile professional. ”Miss Wale. Mr. King is already waiting.”

Lucy smiled, her expression warm and unsuspecting. ”Thank you.”

She followed him without hesitation, her steps light and confident.

The manager opened the exact same VIP room, the heavy door swinging wide.

Layla suddenly sat upright, her eyes widening. ”Oh...”

Ana’s eyes went wide, her hand flying to her mouth. ”Oh my God.”

She immediately grabbed her phone, her fingers flying across the screen. ”I’m recording.”

Dante sighed helplessly, his tone resigned. ”I knew you would.”

Zac quietly whispered, his voice barely audible, ”...Three... ...Two... ...One...”

CRASH!

The sound of breaking glass echoed through the entire floor, sharp and violent.

Everyone inside the club turned, their conversations stopping mid-sentence.

Another loud scream followed, high-pitched and furious. ”What the hell!”

Then the VIP room door flew open, slamming against the wall with a bang.

Lucy stormed out first, her face flushed with rage, her hands clenched into fists. One furious woman stumbled after her, her lipstick smeared, her dress askew. Another was desperately fixing her dress, her fingers fumbling with the zipper, her expression panicked.

Even Mindy looked up from her juice, her attention caught. A small laugh escaped her lips, soft and surprised. ”I didn’t expect it to explode this quickly.”

Kelvin staggered out next, his movements unsteady. His shirt was partially unbuttoned, revealing his chest. His hair was a mess, strands falling across his forehead. His face was slightly flushed from alcohol, his eyes unfocused.

He hurried toward Lucy, his hand reaching out. ”Lucy! Please listen! It isn’t what you think!”

Lucy spun around, her movement sharp and precise. Her eyes were blazing with anger, her voice cutting. ”Not what I think? I just watched that woman’s tongue down your throat!”

The entire hallway fell silent, the words hanging in the air like a slap.

Several guests had already gathered outside their rooms, their faces curious, their phones discreetly raised.

Kelvin finally lost his patience, his voice rising. ”So what? I kissed someone. It doesn’t mean anything. I was just having fun.”

Lucy looked at him in complete disbelief, her expression shifting from anger to something colder—disappointment, disgust, finality. ”So... This...” She took one slow step backward, her voice dropping. ”...is your real face.”

Only then did Kelvin realize what he had admitted, his expression changing instantly—panic flickering across his features. ”Lucy. No... You misunderstood.”

He reached toward her instinctively, his hand outstretched.

Lucy slapped his hand away, the sound sharp and final. ”Don’t touch me. It’s disgusting.”

Her bodyguards immediately stepped between them, their postures protective, their expressions neutral but firm.

Kelvin tried again, his voice desperate. ”Lucy—”

”Move.” One bodyguard blocked him, his hand raised.

Kelvin glared at the bodyguard blocking his path.

”Shut up! Do you even know who you’re standing in front of?”

The bodyguard remained expressionless. He neither answered nor moved.

Kelvin’s temper flared.

He shoved the man in the chest.

The response was immediate.

The two bodyguards moved at the same time, striking Kelvin from opposite sides. One punch caught him across the face, while the other slammed into his ribs. Kelvin staggered backward, struggling to keep his balance, before falling heavily to the ground.

Before he could recover, one of the bodyguards stepped forward and drove his boot into Kelvin’s shoulder.

A sharp crack echoed through the corridor.

Kelvin screamed, clutching his arm.

”Ahh! What the fuck!”

Lucy stood frozen for a moment, shock flashing across her face.

Then she looked at Kelvin one last time.

There was no fear in her eyes anymore. No hesitation. Only cold distance.

”I never want to see you again,” she said quietly.

With that, Lucy turned away from him and walked off, leaving Kelvin on the floor with his anger, his pain, and the consequences of everything he had done.

She turned and walked away, her steps measured and deliberate. Her two friends followed immediately, their expressions sympathetic.

The bodyguards escorted her out of the club, their presence a wall between her and Kelvin.

Hidden behind one of the marble pillars, a photographer quietly lowered his camera, his movements practiced and discreet.

Click.

Click.

Click.

Every single expression—Lucy’s rage, Kelvin’s panic, the woman’s smeared lipstick—every slap, every confrontation, had been captured perfectly. The lighting was ideal, the angles dramatic, the story undeniable.

Mindy noticed him immediately, her gaze sharp. She leaned slightly toward Matthias, close enough that only he could hear, her voice a whisper. ”Your photographer?”

Matthias caught the soft scent of vanilla and coconut from her hair, the proximity sending a brief, unexpected warmth through his chest. He nodded once, his voice equally quiet. ”Yes. It’ll be in the news soon.”

Mindy smiled, her expression satisfied. ”I figured.”

Ana looked between both of them, her eyes wide with admiration. ”You chose the perfect angle. The lighting. The expressions. Even the slap.” She gave Matthias a thumbs up, her grin wide. ”Ten out of ten.”

Zac proudly added, his tone smug, ”Our photographer is the best.”

Kelvin was still on the ground, his two friends came out and help him and Kelvin yelled at them Where were you?. Embarrassed. Angry. Humiliated.

As he looked around—at the gathered guests, the whispers, the phones—his eyes landed on Zeus Vision’s table above.

Matthias calmly raised his whiskey glass, the amber liquid catching the light. Not mockingly. Simply... a quiet toast. A faint smile appeared on his lips, subtle and knowing.

Kelvin instantly understood, the realization hitting him like a physical blow. His entire expression darkened, his jaw clenching. ”You...”

He clenched his fists, his knuckles white.

Matthias merely took another sip of his drink, his movements unhurried. Without another glance, he set the glass down, his attention already elsewhere.

Kelvin stood there for several seconds, his chest heaving, before storming back into the VIP room and slamming the door shut, the sound echoing through the hallway.

Silence settled over Zeus Vision’s table.

Then Matthias looked toward Zac, his voice quiet but clear. ”Send the photos to her mother.”

Zac’s eyes lit up, his grin widening. ”Martha Wale?”

Matthias nodded once.

Mindy smiled, then gave a short laugh—soft but satisfied, the sound carrying a hint of mischief.

Layla blinked, her expression caught between surprise and amusement.

Zac nodded, already pulling out his phone, his fingers flying across the screen.

Layla laughed, shaking her head. ”That’s cold.”

Wade then said, his tone casual but pointed, ”Maybe you should share these photos with your father too.”

The table went quiet for a beat.

Matthias looked at him, his expression unreadable behind the mask. After a second, he gave a short laugh—low, almost bitter, but genuine. Then he looked at Zac, his voice steady. ”Do it.”

Zac paused, his finger hovering over the screen. He looked at Matthias, his expression serious for once. ”You sure?”

Matthias didn’t hesitate. ”Yes.”

Zac nodded slowly, then resumed typing. ”Done. Both sent.”

Ana leaned forward, her eyes wide with curiosity. ”Wait—what’s going to happen when your father sees them?”

Matthias picked up his glass again, taking a slow sip. ”He’ll finally see what kind of son he’s been protecting.”

Dante raised an eyebrow. ”And Lucy’s mother?”

Mindy answered, her tone light but knowing. ”Martha Wale is one of the most influential women in Greendale’s high society. She’s protective of Lucy.” She paused, her smile widening slightly. ”And she has a very low tolerance for disrespect.”

Layla laughed again, louder this time. ”Kelvin is finished.”

Wade nodded, his expression satisfied. ”Completely.”

Zac leaned back, looking pleased with himself. ”I love it.”

Ana clapped her hands together, her grin bright. ”This is the best night ever.”

Then Mindy suddenly laughed—a genuine laugh, bright and unrestrained.

”I almost feel bad.”

Everyone turned toward her, their expressions curious.

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ”...Almost.”

The entire table burst into laughter once again, the sound filling the lounge, warm and victorious.