Chapter 10: A Woman of Power

The Camden family was growing uneasy.

Jordan had effortlessly defeated the professional fighters Herman had hired. His combat skills were far beyond what they expected.

Herman scowled. “We need to cut off his career path before he finds a way to rise again.”

He turned to the crowd. “If Jordan goes to the wealthy elite in Orlando, he could become a personal bodyguard. Who among you can ensure he never gets hired?”

The room fell silent.

Orlando was filled with powerful people, but no one could claim they had influence over all of them.

Then, a sultry laugh broke the silence.

All heads turned toward the voice.

A woman sat cross-legged, her presence magnetic. She wore a sleek red business suit, her legs elegantly crossed, exuding confidence and sensuality.

She had flawless fair skin, bold red lips, and a figure that made men lose their composure.

Herman’s eyes lit up in recognition.

“Miss Clarke! When did you arrive? I should have welcomed you sooner—please forgive me!”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed with intrigue. He nudged Herman.

“Who’s this beauty? Introduce us.”

Herman looked at Ryan with disdain. ‘This fool really doesn’t belong in Orlando’s upper-class circles.’

“She’s Victoria Clarke, the deputy president of Ace Corporation.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

“The deputy president of Ace Corporation?!”

The Ace Corporation was one of the most influential companies in Orlando. Anyone who reached a high-ranking position there was no ordinary figure.

Ryan and the others stared in awe.

Victoria, so young yet so powerful, had everyone wondering—had she climbed the ranks through her own skill, or had she used… other means?

At that moment, Jordan’s eyes flickered with recognition.

“She’s from my company…” he muttered to himself.

Herman chuckled smugly.

“There are many wealthy people in Orlando, and the Camdens have wide connections, but we only know about two-thirds of them.”

He then turned to Victoria and declared, “But if there is one person who knows them all—it’s Miss Clarke!”

Ryan, eager to curry favor, chimed in.

“Miss Clarke is such a stunning woman. I imagine every wealthy man in Orlando would want to get close to her.”

Victoria’s expression darkened slightly.

“You make it sound like I’m entangled with all of them.”

Ryan quickly bowed, flustered. “I misspoke! My apologies, Miss Clarke!”

His eyes, however, remained fixed on her long legs and high heels, barely able to contain himself.

Herman seized the moment.

“Miss Clarke, we need your help.”

“Make sure Jordan has no way forward.”

Victoria had been quietly watching the drama unfold, but her expression remained unreadable.

She was a woman who never played by anyone’s rules.

Though the Camdens had given her many benefits in hopes of securing their $70 million investment, Victoria did things on her own terms.

She was no pawn.

Instead of responding, Victoria reached into her Chanel bag, pulling out an elegant cigarette case.

Inside were CAPRI ladies’ cigarettes—slim, luxurious, and rare, only available overseas.

Jordan’s gaze flickered with interest.

‘I remember those. They have a cool, refreshing taste. I wonder if she does too…’

He smirked at his own shameless thoughts.

Victoria gracefully placed a cigarette between her lips.

Immediately, the men around her—Ryan, Zack, Herman, and Benedict—scrambled to pull out their expensive lighters, eager to be the one to light it for her.

Jordan chuckled.

The scene reminded him of a moment from the film Malèna—where a room full of men desperately tried to please one captivating woman.

But in this case, Victoria was even more mesmerizing than Monica Bellucci.

Then, Victoria did something that stunned them all.

She didn’t pick any of the men around her.

Instead, she turned to Jordan and curled her finger.

“Come here.”

Her voice was gentle, a stark contrast to the angry shouting from the Camden family just moments before.

The men froze, their expressions turning to shock and jealousy.

“Why him?!”

“What right does this useless man have!?”

To Orlando’s upper-class men, lighting a woman’s cigarette was an honor.

And yet, Victoria had chosen Jordan.

Jordan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

‘This woman is not simple. No wonder she’s the deputy president of Ace Corporation.’

Still, he was intrigued by her.

So, without hesitation, he walked toward her.

Victoria smiled alluringly, her eyes locking onto his.

She held up the cigarette.

“You. Light my cigarette.”

The room fell into stunned silence.

The men who had eagerly brandished their lighters stood frozen, their hands awkwardly hovering in the air.

Jordan glanced at them, amused by their disbelief.

Then, he met Victoria’s gaze.

“I don’t have a lighter.”

Victoria’s smile deepened.