Chapter 70 Stronghold
Victoria had just popped open the car door when Adrian sidled up.
"Give me a ride?" he asked.
Victoria turned her head slowly, locking eyes with him.
Adrian coughed awkwardly, releasing her arm. "Okay, okay, I'll behave. I promise."
Victoria finally looked away, slid into the driver's seat, and revved the engine.
The sleek black car zipped through the night, vanishing around the bend in a flash.
Back at the mansion, a servant approached to help Victoria out of her coat. Catching a whiff of alcohol, the servant fetched her a glass of water.
She took a sip, then made her way to the master bedroom to freshen up and hit the hay.
As she lay down, she tossed and turned, mulling over the night's events.
The dynamic between Nathaniel and Adrian had a mysterious edge to it.
Victoria never saw herself as a heartthrob who could captivate someone like Adrian, a thrill-seeker, almost instantly, even defying Nathaniel's control.
There had to be a hidden story behind it all.
She grabbed her phone and dialed Karen.
"Karen, dig into Adrian and Nathaniel's history, especially with women. The juicier, the better."
"Got it."
"Stay under the radar, don't get caught."
"No worries."
After hanging up, Victoria felt a twinge of unease.
Her interactions with Karen, Olivia, and the crew were either at the studio or on the phone, not the safest or most efficient.
She needed a home base, a sanctuary of her own.
Victoria dialed another number right away. "Find me a spot. Low-key, affordable, roomy, secluded. The shabbier outside, the better, but with potential inside for a makeover."
"Yes, Miss Chase."
After handling that, she recalled something else and shot a message to Olivia.
[Olivia, scout out some sharp pianists among the newbies who could be assets for us.]
Victoria made sure to keep Monica out of the loop, entrusting everything to Olivia.
During the following weeks, Nathaniel was swamped with work and rarely returned to the mansion.
Adrian also kept his distance from Victoria.
Victoria received ample support from Adrian, and the pianists under her wing had more gigs, with a few rising stars among the newcomers, earning a solid reputation in the industry.
One moonlit night, in front of an abandoned mansion in the suburbs, Olivia and Karen stepped out of the car with a group of young girls.
They gazed at the decrepit sight, with weeds and peeling paint, feeling a bit taken aback.
"Karen... is this the spot?" a woman murmured, facing the rusty gate.
Karen shared the same disbelief.
When Victoria had informed her, she mentioned they now had their own turf.
Karen, though surprised, pumped up her companions. She had envisioned a lavish estate akin to the Golden Palace, not this rundown place.
Despite her confusion, Karen kept her cool and urged, "Let's check it out."
She pushed the creaky gate open, and the surprisingly posh interior inside left everyone in awe.
From hell outside to heaven inside.
"Welcome, ladies!" Victoria greeted them, arms wide, excitement in her voice.
"Victoria, this place is incredible!"
The interior boasted a sleek industrial design, with expansive windows, sharp lines, and a luxurious vibe in every corner.
The ground floor featured a spacious common area with a bar and lounge. The basement housed a professional shooting range and combat training room.
The upper two floors were still undergoing renovations, with Victoria mentioning they were being slowly planned for the future.
On the massive table at the center of the hall, a tall, bulging object was hidden under a dust cloth.
Victoria approached and unveiled it.
Money cascaded out like a waterfall, forming a small mountain. The fresh bills, carrying the scent of ink, emitted a captivating allure under the lights.
All the girls present, including Karen and Olivia, accustomed to grandeur, held their breath.
There were at least several million dollars.
"One at a time," Victoria's voice broke the silence.
Seated behind the table like a benevolent queen, she personally handed thick stacks of bills to each girl.
"Thank you, Victoria!"
"Victoria! You're incredible!"
The girls were so thrilled they could barely contain themselves. After receiving the money, they erupted into cheers.
Some tossed the money into the air, and green bills fluttered down like a rain, instantly electrifying the atmosphere.
"Pop!"
Olivia popped a champagne bottle, and the golden liquid gushed out, accompanied by the girls' screams and laughter, filling the hall with excitement.
Victoria observed them quietly until the frenzy subsided a bit, then lightly tapped the table. All eyes immediately turned to her.
"I'm not short on cash," she began slowly, her voice not loud but clear enough for all to hear, "as long as you cooperate well with me, scenes like this in the future will only increase, not decrease."
She scanned the room, her gaze piercing. "But I have my rules."
All the girls held their breath, fixated on her.
"I only ask for two things: loyalty and respect."
"Loyalty is your lifeline. Anyone who dares to betray will face the consequences."
"Decency means sticking to your role. If I ask you to play the piano, you're an artist; if I ask you to handle a gun, you're a warrior. Do what you're meant to do, no exceptions. Don't even think about crossing lines."
"I won't be breathing down your neck all the time, giving you the most freedom, but I hope you remember what I've said today. Anyone who strays from these principles won't escape my notice!"
"Got it?" Victoria's voice suddenly rose.
"Got it!" the girls chorused, their voices resonating in the hall.
"Great, enjoy yourselves!" Victoria gestured to the side, smiling. "There are cigarettes, drinks, and snacks set up over there. Have a good time."
"Thanks, Victoria!"
"Oh, one more thing!" Victoria paused for a moment, then called them back, "My crew stays away from drugs."
After being with Nathaniel for a while, Victoria had learned that despite the Cross family's twisted ways, they kept their hands clean when it came to drugs.
Drugs could mess with people's minds and lead them astray. If she wanted to stay on this path for the long haul, she couldn't afford to get mixed up in drugs.
"We get it, Victoria!"
As the celebration continued, Victoria led Karen and Olivia into a small meeting room nearby.
The moment they stepped in, Olivia grabbed Victoria, bouncing around with excitement.
Despite trying to maintain a more mature demeanor now that she had her own status, Olivia couldn't contain her teenage exuberance behind closed doors.
"Victoria, you're incredible! How did you pull it off?" Olivia asked, brimming with excitement.
Victoria smiled but stayed quiet. She figured they probably wouldn't be interested in hearing about her past experiences during this time.
Karen gracefully made her way to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down, a tinge of wistfulness in her expression.
"Victoria, I can never measure up to you!" she expressed with a hint of resignation.