Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Provocation

Stella Dawson nearly choked on her drink, her face contorting in revulsion as she forcefully shoved the greasy hand away.

But the balding, heavyset man wasn't deterred. His thick gold chain swung as he shamelessly tried to close the distance, crowding her space.

"Hey there, gorgeous, sitting all by yourself? How about we exchange numbers?"

He waved his phone in front of her, the QR code glaring brightly.

Just as that pudgy hand reached for her again, Kevin Porter shot up and stormed over, planting himself as a barrier. "Hey! Back off! Got no manners?"

"What's it to you? Mind your own business." The man gave Kevin a rough shove.

Stella rolled her eyes and pinned him with a death glare. "You're the one who needs to leave."

"Oho, feisty, are we?" He leered at her, his eyes dripping with sleazy appreciation.

A pretty face, a killer figure, a voice like honey-she was exactly his type. Even her sharp tongue just made her a spicier conquest in his eyes.

"C'mon, give us a kiss." He puckered his lips grotesquely and leaned in. "I love a girl with some fire."

She suppressed a wave of nausea, then brought her stiletto heel down hard on his shin.

At first, he seemed amused, thinking it was part of the game.

But the moment the pain registered, his legs buckled. He crumpled to the floor like a sack of potatoes, howling.

"Damn bitch!" He curled into a ball, face contorted in agony. "Ahhh, my leg!"

"Boss!" Several of his lackeys glowered at Stella, pure rage in their eyes. "You're gonna pay for that!"

One of them snatched a bottle from a nearby table and hurled it directly at her.

They'd just been shown up by a woman, and their pride couldn't take it.

Stella let out a derisive laugh, raised her leg again, and kicked the incoming thugs aside as if swatting away flies.

The men hit the ground, clutching their injuries and whimpering. Meanwhile, Stella calmly lifted her glass and gave it a little shake toward Rex Turner. "Don't let the trash kill the vibe. My glass is empty."

She was radiant, utterly unbothered. Rex's cheeks flushed as he scrambled for a bottle, pouring the clear liquid with slightly trembling hands.

"Mr. Sterling! Please, let me explain! It's a misunderstanding!"

A panicked voice echoed from the upper floor.

Alexander Sterling descended the stairs with thunderous steps, his face a mask of icy fury, completely ignoring the pleading man trailing behind him.

He looked ready to detonate.

Stella, mid-laugh with Rex, glanced up at the commotion-and her eyes collided with his glacial stare.

Her heart stuttered. Crap. What is HE doing here?!

"Kevin! Kevin!"

"What's up, Stella? Need a refill?"

"No, look! Up there! Tell me that's not Alexander."

Kevin followed her gaze and paled.

"Oh, shit. It is him." His hand gripped the back of the sofa for support.

Stella clenched her fists, momentarily speechless.

Up on the landing, Alexander's lips curved into a smile-cold and razor-sharp. Fire smoldered in his eyes.

Marvelous. This woman has some nerve.

The former Mrs. Sterling, cozying up with pretty boys in a dive bar?

Even if he despised her, even if they were legally divorced-witnessing this felt like a direct, public slap in the face.

He glared at her as if she had committed an unforgivable transgression.

Stella instinctively tried to make herself smaller as he began his approach. She quickly yanked Kevin closer.

Kevin, bewildered but compliant, leaned into the act.

By the time Alexander reached them, Stella had thrown an arm around each man-one around Kevin, the other around Rex.

What the hell?! How dare she flaunt this in front of him?!

Just because he'd ended it, she'd completely lost her mind?

Alexander glared, his jaw so tight it looked ready to crack. "What is the meaning of this?"

Her makeup was flawless-dramatic and sharp-and her short dress left little to the imagination, showcasing those long, slender legs.

Stella Dawson looked like she owned the place, dressed to seduce and seemingly here to curate her own personal harem.

"Isn't it obvious?" Stella said with feigned nonchalance, "I'm appreciating the local scenery."

Alexander Sterling's face darkened further. Jack Holden, standing behind him, stayed silent as a ghost.

The boss was clearly livid, probably unable to believe Ms. Dawson would go this far. Was she deliberately trying to provoke him?

Kevin Porter caught the vibe instantly. He gulped, then dramatically leaned into Stella with a pout. "Sis, are these the new recruits for tonight? You've already got me and Rex wrapped around your finger, and you're still shopping?"

"You're insatiable. One on each arm, and still your eyes wander? Gotta catch 'em all, is that it?"

Stella didn't need to say a word; her eyes gave the instruction. Kevin, a natural accomplice, played his part perfectly.

He gave her a look of mock heartbreak. She patted his head indulgently, clearly pleased-this was her wingman.

As for Alexander? He could choke on his outrage.

She swirled the wine glass lazily, took a delicate sip, and met Alexander's furious gaze head-on.

Tilting her chin defiantly, she tossed out, "Nah, he looks too high-maintenance. Probably costs a fortune. I'm fresh out of alimony."

"What? So we're not good enough for you now?" Kevin fake-sobbed into her shoulder.

Male escorts these days really committed to the bit, didn't they?

Jack Holden's mouth twitched, but he bit back any comment.

"My mistake, boys. You're both delightful. Now, who's ready for another round?"

"Whoever makes me laugh hardest tonight gets a private audience."

She hugged both men like a queen holding court, fully aware she was poking the bear, and enjoying every second of it.

"Stella Dawson!" Alexander's roar cut through the bar's din, making her blink slowly, deliberately.

"No need to yell, Mr. Sterling. We have ears."

"What, offended I called him 'high-end'? Fine, he's bargain bin. Happy?" she taunted.

He looked like a volcano on the verge of eruption. "Explain yourself. Who are these men?"

Stella didn't answer. A subtle glance at Kevin was all the cue he needed.

"Oh, we're her paid entertainment," Kevin replied with faux innocence. "Isn't it obvious?"

He pointed at Rex Turner, then at himself. "She fancied the new guy tonight. I'm part of the permanent collection."

Finally, Jack broke his silence. "And what, precisely, does 'entertainment' entail?"

He had a general idea, but part of him still refused to accept the reality.

"Are you for real?" Kevin shot back. "What rock did you crawl out from under? What do you think we do here?"

Jack's lips twitched again, but he swallowed the retort. Arguing with an escort was beneath him.

"You got a divorce just to debase yourself like this?" Alexander's voice was pure ice, his eyes drilling into her. "Have you no shame left?"

Was this ridiculous woman genuinely trying to make him regret the divorce?

Even Jack couldn't meet his eyes, but Stella held his gaze defiantly.

"That's a bit rich, coming from you," she said, her smile saccharine. "If I recall correctly, you're the one who filed the papers."

"So?" His eyes narrowed dangerously.

"So, it means you forfeited any right to an opinion."

Stella smiled like the sun, raised her glass high, and suddenly flung the contents straight at his chest. The dark liquid soaked into his pristine white shirt and suit jacket like a stain of contempt.

"Even if I decide to sample every man in this city, it is none of your damn business!"

A few stray drops splattered onto his cheek. He looked utterly, profoundly enraged.

"Mr. Sterling!" Jack panicked, fumbling for tissues with shaky hands.

He rushed forward, but a new figure materialized at the top of the stairs.

A playful, melodic voice followed: "My, my, what's all the excitement down here? The former Mrs. Sterling certainly knows how to liven up a party!"