Harem of the Dragon Lord Vol.1
Copyright© 2026 by BillMax
Chapter 9
Serena Blake walked down the corridor lined with burly bodyguards, her heart pounding. She paused at the door of the Supreme VIP Room, rubbed her stunning face to force a smile, then pushed it open.
Inside the lavish private room sat a bald man in his forties. His massive frame was like a mountain, radiating raw intimidation. His narrow, snake-like eyes gleamed with constant danger. This was Lord Tristan Voss — one of the two great enforcers of the King of Silverton.
Standing beside him was a young man in his late twenties. His features were plain, but a terrifying murderous intent flashed in his eyes from time to time. Serena knew him as Viper Kane — Lord Tristan’s personal bodyguard and a ruthless martial artist.
“Lord Tristan, you’re here,” Serena said respectfully.
He nodded indifferently. “Serena Blake, how has Lord Tristan Voss treated you all this time?”
“Very well. This bar owes its safe operation to your protection, my Lord.”
Lord Tristan snorted coldly. “I’ve treated you well, yet you treat me like a fool.”
Serena was taken aback. “Lord Tristan, what do you mean?”
He let out a cold laugh. “What do I mean? Let’s start with you selling me damn counterfeit alcohol!”
Serena’s heart sank. Selling counterfeit liquor to someone of Lord Tristan’s status was suicide. She would never do something so stupid. She had always personally selected every bottle for the bar. Since opening day, not a single fake had ever been served. In other words, this was just a pretext. His real goal was to cause trouble.
Although she had suspected it on the drive over, hearing him say it out loud still filled her with dread.
“Lord Tristan, even if you gave me the courage, I would never dare serve you counterfeit alcohol!”
“What, you think I’m falsely accusing you? Or that I’m joking?”
Serena forced a smile that felt ugly even to her. “Lord Tristan, that’s not what I meant. Could there have been some kind of mistake?”
“A mistake?” Lord Tristan sneered. “Serena Blake, do you think I’m easy to fool? Let me tell you — either you pay up today, or I’ll smash this shabby little place of yours to pieces.”
Serena glanced at the bottle on the table and her stomach twisted. It was a Dalmore 62 whisky — worth two hundred thousand dollars. Only twelve bottles existed in the entire world. She had gone to great lengths to acquire this one. It was the crown jewel of the entire bar. Clearly, Lord Tristan had swapped the real bottle for a fake. According to the bar’s policy, counterfeits came with a tenfold fine. That meant she would have to pay him over ten million dollars.
She had the money. But the thought of being extorted so shamelessly made her blood boil.
If she refused, Lord Tristan would destroy the bar — a fate far worse than losing the cash. What worried her even more was the precedent. If he got away with this, every thug in Silverton would come knocking with the same scam. The bar would be finished.
“Lord Tristan, is there any other way?” Serena asked, still smiling. “You know I depend on this little bar to survive.”
A malicious glint flashed in Lord Tristan’s triangular eyes. “Another way? Sure. Strip naked and give me a pole dance. If I’m pleased, maybe I’ll let the whole thing slide.”
Humiliation. Pure, blatant humiliation. Serena felt like she was suffocating. But what could she do? Some people were simply too powerful to offend. Still, she would rather die than perform for him.
She thought of Mia Sterling for a brief second, but quickly dismissed it. The Sterling family could probably pressure Lord Tristan, but they had no reason to help an outsider like her. Besides, Lord Tristan answered to the King of Silverton, who answered to the Southern King, Dominic Hale. The Sterlings wouldn’t risk that kind of conflict.
Serena sighed heavily. Why is life always this hard?
Just as she opened her mouth to ask how much she had to pay, a mocking voice drifted in from behind her.
“How about I give you a pole dance instead?”
The door swung open.
Ethan Blackthorn strolled in with a wide, carefree smile.
The moment Serena saw him, her expression darkened with anger. This damn rascal! All he ever does is cause trouble! She had specifically told him to stay at the entrance and help the bouncers. Instead, he had barged straight in.
She knew he was trying to help, and a tiny part of her was touched ... but what good would it do? Could a beggar like him possibly make Lord Tristan back down? His words had probably already infuriated the man, which would only make things worse.
“Who let you in? Get out!” Serena snapped before Lord Tristan could speak.
Ethan smiled. “I’ve come to pole dance for Lord Tristan. Isn’t that what he wanted to see?”
“Cut the nonsense and get out now!” Serena hissed. This idiot ... talking about pole dancing? Can’t he see they’re humiliating me?
Lord Tristan suddenly chuckled, a sinister glint in his eyes. “Serena, is this your beggar husband?”
“Lord Tristan, he’s just an ignorant fool. I’ll have him leave immediately!” Serena said, forcing another smile.
Ethan laughed lightly. “Serena, why don’t you step outside for a bit? I’ll have a chat with Lord Tristan. Who knows — after we talk, he might decide to be lenient.”
If he weren’t worried about frightening Serena, Ethan would have ended this already. Two pieces of trash daring to bully his wife? They were truly tired of living.