Criminal Underworld-Violet Sinclair Violet stirred beneath silk sheets, the unfamiliar hotel room's opulence glaring in the harsh morning light. Alone, nude, and painfully sober, she winced at the throbbing behind her temples—a cruel reminder of last night's vanished gin. Then she spotted it: Vincent’s scrawled note beside a frosty bottle of Dom Pérignon. "For my wild orchid. Don’t drown before tonight’s gala." She uncorked it with trembling hands, gulping straight from the neck as golden bubbles spilled down her bare chest. The clawfoot tub awaited, where she drew a bath, frothing with lavender-scented bubbles. Violet sank into the steaming water, bottle still clutched like a lifeline. By the time the champagne ran dry, the room swayed pleasantly, her reflection in the gilded mirror blurring into something softer, lovelier. She emerged dripping, humming a jazz tune as she dressed—fringe dress hitting mid thigh, neckline plunging daringly low, sheer stockings whis...