Victor's grip remained on Amelia's hand, his thumb stroking against her knuckles. Regardless of how warm the night air was, the contact blasted ice through her veins. Behind her, she felt Nathaniel stiffen, his usual easy manner replaced by something dark.
"Twenty-3 years," Amelia said, withdrawing her hand. "that's pretty particular."
"every second worth counting." Victor's eyes shifted to her locket. "What an interesting piece of jewelry."
"Uncle." Nathaniel stepped between them, his voice tense. "The board members are ready."
Victor's smile remained constant. "Yes, of course. "Enterprise first, satisfaction later." His glance moved to Evelyn. "You haven't changed either, Mrs. Winters. Are you still preserving your treasures?
Evelyn's spine straightened. "Somethings are worth protecting, Mr. Ashford. Others are truly worth dying for.
The great ballroom of The Plaza gleamed, with crystal chandeliers projecting diamonds of light throughout the assembled elite of New York. Sarah Reynolds, Amelia's childhood friend, stood at her elbow holding champagne flutes.
"Your father's practically glowing," Sarah said, leaning closer to Charles Winters, who was reading the court docket across the room. "final time I saw him this pleased became while he closed the Shanghai merger."
"some thing's wrong." Amelia had champagne every day but did not drink it. "have you ever noticed how the board contributors hold watching me?"
"now not just them." Sarah gestured softly to their left. "Claire Beaumont has been snapping photos of you all night. And the dress she is carrying..."
Amelia gave a quick peek. Claire, her ancient boarding school opponent, donned the same deep blue robe as her. Their gazes met across the room, and Claire raised her glass with a knowing smile.
"It's truly impossible," Amelia muttered. "this is a one-of-a-type Valentino."
"not anything's impossible with the right connections." Nathaniel lowered his back, his hand resting firmly on Amelia's waist. "Dance with me. Now."
She allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, years of practice taking over as they danced to the orchestra's waltz. His touch was unique - urgent, almost determined.
"I tried to warn you," he added quietly. "approximately Victor, approximately tonight."
"What is truly going on, Nathaniel? "First the takeover rumors, then your uncle's return, and now Claire wearing my genuine get dressed—"
"it's now not just a get dressed." His hold grew tighter as they became. "This is a message. Everything about this night is organized and deliberate. Even we are dancing right now.
Throughout the floor, she observed Lily - not in uniform, but in a lovely purple robe - speaking intimately with Victor. "How did she—"
"Your maid?" Nathaniel's giggle was unfunny. "Look closely, Amelia. Haven't you ever wondered why she looks so familiar?
Before she could respond, the orchestra halted. Charles Winters stood at the platform, commanding attention via his very presence. The room fell silent, with a palpable sense of expectation.
"Outstanding guests," Charles continued, his voice echoing to every nook, "we acquire tonight no longer just for charity, but to announce a new chapter within the Winters legacy."
Amelia felt Nathaniel's hold tighten cruelly.
"The merger of Winters Enterprises with Ashford Industries," Charles said, "will establish the most effective firm on the eastern seaboard. And to strengthen this historic relationship..."
The crystal glass cracked. Evelyn stood paralyzed, champagne dripping around her feet. "Charles, don't. think of Elizabeth!"
But Charles pretended not to hear. "we are proud to announce the engagement of my daughter, Amelia Winters, to Victor Ashford."
The room swirled. Nathaniel's palms fell away, like if scorched. Through the screaming in her ears, Amelia heard scattered applause, saw Victor's cheerful smile, and felt the locket burn on her skin.
"No." The word escaped before she could stop it.
Faces became. Charles' expression stiffened. "Excuse my daughter's curiosity. We wanted to keep it a secret until this night."
"A secret?" Lily's voice became less anxious as she slid along. "How fascinating. "Speak to me of secrets..."
"it really is enough." Charles stepped down and crossed to Amelia. "Include me." Now."
The gang parted like water as he seized her elbow and directed her to his personal workstation. She heard snatches of muttered discussions.
"similar to her mom's engagement..."
"The twin moons prophecy..." "terrible Elizabeth never stood a threat..."
They outperformed Victor, who whispered, "Like mother, like daughter." Let's hope she's more cooperative.
The office door shut with a firm click. Charles poured himself a whiskey, the amber liquid splashing over the crystal rim. Own family photos were on the walls, generations of Winters, their proud faces watching solemnly.
"Father, you can not—"
"i will, and i'm able to." He tired the glass. "The merger is the entire thing. Without it, we lose everything. "Our legacy, our energy, and your destiny."
"because of the hostile takeover?" Amelia is superior. "Or because of something that happened twenty to three years ago? The night of the two moons?"
The glass froze halfway to his lips. "What did you listen?"
She brought out her mobile and showed him the message. "enough to notice you're hiding something. Something about the night I was born. Approximately Elizabeth. "Approximately Aurora."
The glass slid from his fingers and shattered on the hardwood ground. Charles braced himself and approached the table, suddenly looking for antiques. "in which did you listen those names?"
Before he could recover, voices rang out through the door, Victor's distinct tone.
"Everything is going according to plan," he said. "She'll never recognize the reality about that night. about what clearly happened to her mother and siblings.
"Mr. Ashford." A fresh and strange voice. "The papers you requested from the archives... about the rite..."
"Their transportation was interrupted, certainly. Regardless of. The cycle terminates once the wedding is complete. The loan could be repaid.
Amelia became to her father, who had long since died and faded. "What wedding?" What debt? "What reality?"
Charles reached for another glass, but his arms trembled violently, knocking over the decanter. Amelia, please. Some queries are perilous. "Some solutions..." He swallowed hard. "A few responses kill. "Just as they killed your mother."
The door knob was turned. Amelia retreated behind the heavy curtains as Victor entered. The material was sheer enough to see shadows and see Victor circle her father like a predator.
"This is Charles, my vintage pal. Have any doubts?"
"She's my daughter."
"Is she?" Victor's voice included enjoyment. "Are you sure about that? Elizabeth made her decision that night. "Under the dual moons, with both toddlers in her arms..."
Silence extended. Then Charles said quietly, "What do you need?"
"The same feature that I want twenty-three years ago. The same issue your wife refuses to present to me." Footsteps moved across the room. "However, this time I may not accept no as an answer. The ceremony must be finished."
"it's going to kill her." Charles' voice cracked. "The energy... it's too much for one individual."
"possibly. However, would you argue that one daughter is superior to both? The prophecy needs to be fulfilled. "The charge must be paid.
Amelia slapped her hand on her mouth, stifling a pant. Her locket pulsed with warmth, and she suddenly felt it: a heartbeat, not her own, echoing through her chest.
"Take into account our agreement," Victor endured. "The lady marries me, or I tell the arena what really happened on the night of the two moons." regarding Elizabeth's desires. About Aurora's fate. Approximately the real inheritor—"
The curtains rustled. Each man became.
But Amelia had already started running, her heels clicking against the marble as she hurried through the ballroom. She drove past astonished visitors, disregarding the whispers, pointing, and flashing cameras. Claire Beaumont stepped in her direction, but Amelia pushed by her, heard silk break.
She rushed onto the terrace, the night air hitting her lungs like ice. Behind her, she heard Victor's voice: "Find her! Earlier than she discovers who she is!"
A hand touched her shoulder. She whirled, looking for guards or her father.
As a substitute, she had to deal with a duplicate.
The younger guy before her possessed her eyes, chin, and exact abilities. He grinned, mirroring her smile, and whispered:
"Good day, Sister. I've been seeking for you."
Their lockets, similar antique pieces, pulsed in sync. Two hearts, destinies, and one truth.
In the ballroom, Lily's voice soared over the din: "The dual moons' upward
surge continues this night. "The ceremony cannot be stopped."
And somewhere inside the city, church bells began to ring at night.