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The air on the Grand Mansion's terrace was thick with wealth and the scent of night-blooming jasmine. Below, the city lights blurred into a distant, uncaring glow, but here, under the canopy of a dark velvet night sky, only the elite mattered.
Selina stood rigid, her breath catching in her throat. Her peach slit gown—a cascade of silk that fell away to show one long leg—felt like a beautiful, restrictive cage. Her wavy brown hair was damp at the temples, not from the party heat, but from sheer terror. She was supposed to be the perfect future daughter-in-law, smiling and serene. Instead, she was panicking.
Then she saw them.
Han's Grandmother, sat like an emerald statue, her dark velvet royal dress studded with discreet diamonds. Beside her, Han's Mother, Jannet, was equally majestic in deep sapphire, radiating cool, contained power.
Selina forced a radiant smile and glided towards them and greeted.
"Grandmother," You look absolutely Gorgeous," Selina smiled, her heart pounding in her chest.
Jannet's smile was warm, genuine. She drew Selina in for a practiced hug. "There is our future star. You look incredible, darling."
Selina's eyes darted past them, searching the glittering crowd for the one person who could anchor her: Han.
"He is late, my dear," the Grandmother said, her voice dry as aged wine. "He went to grab a proper birthday present for his bestie. He will be here soon."
Selina's smile felt painfully real now. Han, always thoughtful.
"Wait, Selina." The Grandmother signaled to Jannet. A small, ornate box was presented. The Grandmother opened it, revealing a shimmering, exquisite diamond necklace. The centerpiece was a single, flawless blue stone, deep and mysterious. Selina admired the cold, blinding beauty.
"This is for you. A welcoming gift," the Grandmother decreed, lifting it. She leaned forward and fastened the priceless piece around Selina's neck.
"You are looking incredible," Jannet repeated, right as Selina felt her phone buzz—a coded message she was dreading. It was time to leave.
"Excuse me, I just received an urgent message..."She moved to otherside.
Suddenly, a hand shot out, grabbing her wrist—not gently. It was firm, commanding.
"What happened to you? Why are you nervous?"
Raina stood there, a vision of blazing fire in her stunning red dress. Every curve was emphasized, a bold statement against the subdued elegance of the night.
Selina faked a laugh, her fingers trembling near the diamond at her throat. "No, I'm fine! Just… waiting for Han. Why hasn't he shown up yet?"
Raina's mouth curved into a cold smile. "Don't talk about him for my sake. If he really considered me his friend, he would come to my birthday party. Otherwise…" Raina stopped, a flicker of genuine worry crossing her intense eyes, before she regained her composure and smiled again.
Selina squeezed Raina's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. I know he won't leave you like Ronnie forgot our friendship. I know Han."
Just then, her phone rang. A private number. Selina's hands genuinely trembled. "I… I have to take this call. Excuse me."
She rushed toward the dark, quiet edge of the terrace. She answered breathlessly.
"I came already! Where are you now? Please don't show up here, you will cause trouble for me! Please, let's meet next time!" Selina whispered fiercely.
The Stranger's voice was low, gravelly, and utterly chilling. "You have no option, Selina. I am here to take decisions, not you. Listen to me carefully. Let's meet in the Mansion Garden. Come there. Now. I am waiting for you."
Selina's chest heaved. "Hello? Hello?" The line went dead. She pressed a shaking hand against her heart, sweat chilling her skin.
The Friendship
Meanwhile, at the bustling, brightly lit Mall, Ronnie was drowning in a sea of forgotten memories.
"Ronnie! Which one?"
Lara snapped her fingers in front of his face, pulling him back from the image of Raina's childhood laughter. His girlfriend, Lara, was beautiful, her long black hair tumbling over her shoulders as she held up two tops.
"Are you alright?" she asked, concern shadowing her face.
Ronnie smiled, a little too brightly, and ran a playful finger through her soft hair. "I'm fine, angel. Just fine."
Lara looked away, then turned back, offering him an olive branch. "You know… you can still go to her birthday party."
Ronnie's smile evaporated. The simple suggestion was like a knife twist. "Don't worry. I'm okay, just a little… upset because we celebrated together last year. It just reminded me, that's all. Did you select something?"
Lara nodded slowly, understanding the pain he tried to hide.
"Not that top," Ronnie said, his analyst mind kicking in. "You take this one. It suits you more."
She smiled again. "Wait here, I'll go pay for this," he said, heading for the counter.
Lara watched him go, but her own smile faded. A sharp pain of doubt hit her. What really happened between Raina and him? Is the distance between them… is that because of me?
The Protector's Shadow
Back at the Grand Mansion, Gabriella was focused. Her mission was everything.
Dressed in a long, elegant ash-colored gown—a perfect shade for blending into the shadows—she moved with quiet determination, a glass of wine held loosely in her hand. She took a sip, the dry red doing nothing to quench the fire of her purpose.
What really happened between Raina and Kevin? How could she harm him? Gabriella was searching for a chance to corner Raina, a chance to get her phone. That phone held the key.
She was thinking so deeply that she didn't notice the massive, overgrown rose bush until the delicate fabric of her dress got hooked. She placed her wine glass on a nearby table and began pulling, frustrated. The bush only tightened its grip. She was trying to get rid of the snag when her phone rang.
It was Ajax.
"Hello," she hissed, pulling harder.
"Where are you now?" Ajax's voice was tense, the party noise audible on his end.
"I'm at Raina's birthday party," Gabriella replied, annoyed, one hand pulling at the dress, the other holding the phone.
"What? You said you wouldn't go!" Ajax was shocked.
Gabriella was starting to get pissed. She pulled again, hard. "Yes, I'm fine! Why did you call me? You asked me to remind you about that half piece of silver bracelet Kevin last wore on his wrist. Did you find anything?"
"Really, Gabriella, you're not listening. About that piece of silver bracelet... I have a photo of it. I took it when I went to sneak a look at the police evidence room."
"Really? You have the photo?" In her rush of excitement and hope, Gabriella jerked her body away from the bush. Her dress was free—but she felt a horrifying, silent rip because it's thin fabric. She gasped. The back of her beautiful ash gown was torn open.
"What was that noise? Are you okay?" Ajax asked.
"Nothing," Gabriella whispered. "Send it immediately!"
"I've sent it already. Look."
Gabriella looked down at her screen. The image of the half-moon shaped silver bracelet was clear. Her eyes brightened with final, fierce hope. The matching half... it's all I need.
"Okay, I have to hang up," she said quickly.
"Wait," Ajax insisted. "I don't know why you went there, but be careful. Raina already tried to kill you once. Now you are in the lion's den. Be careful."
"Sure. I have to go." She hung up and instantly realized the problem. Her dress. Torn. Wide open. She quickly tried to cover her exposed back with one hand, spinning to face the rose bush, hoping no one had noticed.
"Ms…"
A voice. Deep, resonant, and impossibly close, right behind her.
"Your dress is torn."
Gabriella's eyes widened in fear and embarrassment. She could sense he was taller than her, a solid, warm presence at her back. She started to turn, but his deep voice stopped her cold.
"No. Don't turn. Everybody is watching. I'm right behind you—no one can see the torn dress."
Gabriella nodded, frozen, her heart thundering against her ribs.
"Wait."
She felt him reach out. A veiny, strong hand hesitated near her back, his shirt sleeve rolled up to the elbow. He was wearing a coat over his arm. He seemed to debate, then quickly, he lifted the coat and draped it gently over her shoulders, covering the tear completely.
Gabriella blinked, stunned by the sudden intimacy and protection. She finally turned to thank him, desperate to see his face. She only caught a fleeting glimpse of his silhouette before he vanished instantly into the dazzling, indifferent party crowd.
He was gone. Gabriella was left standing alone, wrapped in a stranger's warm coat, her evidence shining on her phone screen, and a dark, dangerous path of revenge laid out before her.
Who was he? And why did he save her?
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To be Continued....
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