The Villain's Grand Design

Arthur Vance swirled the amber liquid in his crystal tumbler, admiring how the afternoon light caught the expensive whiskey. He lounged comfortably on the plush leather sofa in his secret downtown loft – the perfect hideaway for his ongoing affair with Isabella Clairemont.

Isabella emerged from the bathroom wrapped in nothing but his dress shirt, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. She smiled seductively and crossed the room to join him.

"You seem pleased with yourself," she purred, settling beside him.

Arthur pulled her close, kissing her neck. "Why shouldn't I be? Everything is going exactly according to plan."

"Sterling was devastated when he found those emails I planted on his precious assistant's computer." Isabella laughed, tracing her finger along Arthur's jawline. "You should have seen his face when he confronted her."