Chapter 4: Beneath Obsidian Walls
At Obsidian Clubhouse
Aveline was stopped at the gates of the Obsidian. The clubhouse wasn't meant for the public or any new money. It was made for the old money, magnates, and royalties. A place for connections, business deals, and, more than that, a hub for information.
The Ashfords were one of the founders of the club, thus, everyone knew Damien way too well. The Laurents were old money, too, yet Aveline had never bothered to set foot there. She never felt the need. But now...
Her eyes locked onto the taillights of the Bugatti as she rolled the window down, flashing her identity card from her mobile. The security head at the gate took a quick moment to verify the membership before the gates opened.
By the time Aveline reached the entrance of the club, Damien was gone.
Getting out of the car, she ignored the strange looks from the valets and sprinted inside, desperately scanning the dark, sleek, and mysteriously luxurious entrance hall. Each hallway led in different directions for various places, yet there were no signboards, adding to the secrecy.
"Where did he go?" Aveline mumbled, disliking how she had lived such an oblivious life that she was clueless about the place.
She rushed down one hallway, stumbled into a massive library, then into the opulent club, then the bar, and finally a fine-dining restaurant. Each time, earning frowns from those inside. Breathing heavily, she rushed down another hallway when a man in uniform labeled Obsidian finally appeared.
"Miss, are you looking for someone?" The man was respectful despite her disheveled state in nightwear. Because he knew well, she wasn't just a random person.
"My husband... I mean, Damien Ashford..." Aveline sounded a bit desperate, and the realization hit her hard. Damien had never introduced her to anybody as his wife.
The man paused for a second upon hearing her mention Damien Ashford as her husband. Nevertheless, he bowed his head before speaking. "Mrs. Ashford, this hallway leads to the conference rooms. Director Ashford hasn't arrived this way."