At seven o'clock, the driver arrives in front of the luxurious five-star hotel where the ball is currently being held. The hotel's entrance is a magnificent sight, with towering columns and a sweeping driveway leading up to a breathtaking fountain. As Leah steps out of the car, she is greeted by impeccably dressed doormen who kindly guide her into the lobby.
Inside, the lobby is abuzz with activity as elegantly dressed guests mingle and socialize. The space is adorned with ornate chandeliers that cast a warm, inviting glow over the plush furnishings and intricate decor. The air is filled with the delightful fragrance of fresh flowers, creating an atmosphere of opulence and sophistication.
Moving into the ballroom, the grandeur continues to impress. The high ceilings and sparkling crystal chandeliers create a dazzling effect. The walls are adorned with intricate moldings and elegant draperies, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the room. On the expansive dance floor, couples gracefully glide to the enchanting music played by the orchestra, creating an atmosphere of romance.
However, Leah couldn't help but feel a sense of revulsion as he looked around. In her eyes, this place was nothing more than a haven for wealthy, deceitful individuals
Leah spotted Maria standing with Mr. Linton and his wife — Selene, along with two other men, engaged in conversation. The women seemed to be amused by something one of the men had said, as they giggled together.
"Ah, Leah, you're here," Maria exclaimed, catching the attention of Mr. Linton, Selene, and the other two individuals. She swiftly made her way towards the group.
"Look at you, you look absolutely gorgeous in that dress," Maria remarked, her eyes scanning Leah's body as her lips formed a sweet smile. However, Leah could sense that Maria's compliments were insincere.
"Thank you, Miss Walters. You look stunning as well," Leah replied politely, a small smile gracing her face, although she didn't spare a glance at Maria's gown.
"Oh, thank you," Maria replied with her smile still intact, before turning to her friends and saying, "This is Leah Morris, my assistant. She's the one I've been telling you guys about." Turning to Linton, Maria asked, "You remember her, right?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" replied Mr. Linton, a cold smirk appearing on his face. "Maria, you are quite lucky to have someone like Miss Leah. She is such a polite and diligent young lady."
"Thank you for your compliment, Mr. Linton," Leah said, offering him a small bow, even though she knew that his words were concealed with distaste.
Mr. Linton was one of the people whom she particularly despised due to his philandering nature. She had seen him countless times in Maria's office, getting intimate with her.
However, she had chosen to ignore their actions as it was none of her business. Nevertheless, the audacious man still had the nerve to flirt with her a few weeks ago.
"Leah, dear, why don't you go ahead and mingle? I'll call you if I need anything," Maria said.
Leah did not like this nice side of Maria. She preferred her arrogant and annoying side because right now, she could not even tell if Maria was up to no good or not.
She narrowed her eyebrows for a split second before nodding. "Okay."
She left them, going to stand in one corner of the room.
One of the young men who stood with Maria took her to the dance floor for a dance. Mr. Linton later joined them with his overly excited wife.
As the music flowed through the ballroom, Leah went to the bar to grab a drink. The bartender noticed her and greeted her with a friendly smile.
"Hi there," the bartender greeted. "What can I get for you?"
Leaning against the bar, Leah responded, "I'll have a cosmopolitan, please."
"Coming right up," the bartender replied, turning to prepare her drink. After skillfully straining the cocktail into a chilled glass, he added a twist of lime as a garnish and placed it in front of Leah.
"Enjoy," the bartender said with a warm smile.
"Thanks," Leah expressed her gratitude, taking a sip of the well-crafted cocktail.
As Leah savored the flavorful blend, the bartender struck up a conversation.
"Are you enjoying the ball, miss?"
"Oh yes, it's quite exciting," Leah responded apathetically, her eyes roaming through the crowed as she sipped her drink.
***
In a corner of the grand ballroom, two men stood amidst the crowd, their attentive eyes scanning the room. One of them, with dark, inky hair, couldn't hide his frustration as he let out a sigh.
"This ball is incredibly boring," he remarked, his tone tinged with irritation.
His companion, a tall, blond man sporting a polished bun, nodded in agreement. "I know, Lucius. Last year when the Wilcox hosted it, the atmosphere was much livelier," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Those folks really knew how to entertain with all their dramatic antics."
"That is undoubtedly correct, Alexander," Lucius said with a smirk. "That family truly understands the meaning of entertainment for our kind. My favorite moment from last year was when Melissa smashed that wine bottle on her step sister's head."
"I actually thought the little princess would die from blood loss." Lucius chuckled as he recalled the event of how the two sisters had gotten into a fight because of him.
"It was a good thing she could heal fast, though," Alexander added.
"How long do we have to wait for Priscilla?" Lucius asked, drifting from their previous conversation.
Alexander glanced at his watch before replying, "She'll be here any minute now."
"She better hurry, I don't have all night," Lucius said, raising his hands to glance at the cuffs on his wrists.
Though they appeared to be normal cuffs, they were anything but ordinary. These were special cuffs placed on Lucius by the council.
Lucius's sharp eyes fell upon a young lady sitting alone at the bar, and he couldn't help but feel intrigued.
"Who's she?" Lucius asked, nodding towards the woman.
Alexander followed Lucius's gaze, his dark, intelligent eyes scanning the woman before replying.
"That's Leah. I believe she works for Maria."
Lucius furrowed his brow, his curiosity piqued. "Interesting. Find out everything about her, Alex."
Alex nodded, his expression serious. "Of course. But if you're only interested in sleeping with her, I don't think knowing her background would be necessary,"
Lucius scoffed. "I am not you, Alex. I don't f*ck around like a male whore and still try to remember the names and hobbies of the women I've been with," he replied with a mocking smirk.
Alexander's frown deepened. "Look who's talking. You've been with three different women this week alone, and I had to clean up your mess when you were done with them."
Lucius simply grunted in response, his attention already drifting back to the young lady at the bar. There was something about her that intrigued him, drawing him in with an irresistible allure.
As they waited, the ballroom slowly filled up with more and more guests, their voices blending together into a pleasant hum. Lucius and Alexander stood out amidst the crowd, their powerful aura drawing curious glances from those nearby.
Finally, a young woman dressed in a stunning black gown made her way towards them. "Gentlemen," she greeted them with a smile.
"I was starting to think you wouldn't make it, Priscilla." Lucius said. "What did you want to talk about?" He said cutting straight to the chase.
Priscilla's smile widened, hinting at the anticipation of sharing her news. "I have some news for you. Something that I believe you'll find very interesting." She gestured towards the elevator. "Shall we discuss it in private?"
As they stepped away from the bustling crowd, the sound of music and chatter slowly faded into the background. The air was cooler and quieter as they entered the elevator, the doors sliding shut behind them with a soft hiss.
They stood in silence, as the elevator smoothly ascended towards the upper floor. The only sound was the soft hum of the machinery and the occasional beep of the display panel.