The day of the banquet had finally arrived. This was the day Adrian planned to celebrate the acquisition of my father's company. It was destined to be a memorable day for both of us. But in different contexts.
I needed to return to that hidden room. My full attention was devoted to uncovering the truth within those four walls.
Tonight was the perfect night to carry out my plans. All the guests and staff would be at the hall, which was located in the alternate wing of the mansion.
The chill of the night came. The grand chandelier in the Blackwell mansion hall sparkled like a thousand diamonds, casting its glow on the sea of expensive suits and elegant gowns.
The dinner party was in full swing. It was a gathering of billionaires, tycoons, and influential figures, all sipping champagne and exchanging polished smiles over murmured conversations.
I did my best to blend in by standing in the corner of the room as I clutched onto my serving tray.
Maria had given me my tasks for tonight. To serve drinks, clear empty glasses, and stay invisible. Staying invisible felt nearly impossible in a room full of predators disguised as polished elites, but I was determined to succeed, plus I had a plan to execute.
Adrian moved through the crowd, exuding confidence and commanding attention without effort.
His tailored suit spotlighted his broad shoulders and lean frame, and his piercing green eyes seemed to see everything.
He was laughing with a group of men by the fireplace, but his gaze occasionally flickered toward me. Each glance felt like a weight pressing down on my chest.
There was also an irresistible dark energy I felt within the atmosphere. Victoria.
She glided through the room like a viper, her sharp features softened by her well-disguised smile.
She put on a long black dress that radiated and showed off her thighs, giving off an aura of power and elegance. Her icy blue eyes were scanning the room for opportunities.
As I attended to the table near the bar, a man with a weathered face and a predatory smile leaned toward Victoria, gesturing subtly in my direction. His stare gave me the chills.
"Who is that?" he asked, his voice low but audible enough for me to catch.
Victoria followed his line of sight, her eyes landing on me. Her lips curled into a sly smirk. "That's one of our maids," she said, her tone dripping with disinterest. "Why? Do you find her... intriguing?"
The man's smile widened, and something dark flickered in his eyes. "Hmmm, she does have a certain charm. Innocent. Untouched."
Victoria's expression remained calm, but I saw the wheels turning in her mind. "Interesting," she said, her voice smooth. "Perhaps we should talk business later."
I didn't like the way he was looking at me, nor the way Victoria seemed to entertain his interest.
My instincts screamed at me to leave. I decided it was time for me to go about my plan.
I dropped the serving tray on the bar and approached the exit.
"Anne," Victoria's voice cut through my thoughts. I turned to find her coming down the stairs with a glass of wine in her hand.
"You've been working so hard tonight," she said, her smile oddly warm. "Why don't you just relax for a bit? Have a drink. It's a party, after all."
Her sudden kindness took me by surprise. "I appreciate it, ma'am, but I don't think I should…"
"Nonsense," she interrupted, pressing the glass into my hand. "One drink won't hurt. Consider it a small reward for your hard work."
Her words hit me with such tenderness that it became hard to refuse her offer. Reluctantly, I took a small sip, hoping it would satisfy her. The wine was sweet, almost too sweet, but I didn't dare refuse another sip when she watched me so intently.
As the night went on, my head began to feel heavy. The room seemed to spin slightly, and the hum of conversation grew distant. I had forgotten about my plan I meticulously thought about the whole day.
I felt lightheaded, as though the ground beneath me wasn't quite steady.
"I think I need to sit down," I murmured, clutching the edge of a table for support.
Victoria held my arm. "Are you all right, dear?" she asked, her voice full of false concern.
"I... I just need a moment," I said, my words slurring slightly.
"I think you should," she said, guiding me toward the hallway. "There's a guest room upstairs. You can lie down for a bit. No one will disturb you."
My head swayed uncontrollably from left to right as I made my way up the stairs. My legs were weak, and my vision blurred as Victoria led me up the grand staircase. She opened the door to a lavish room, its canopy bed draped in silk and its windows overlooking the moonlit gardens.
"You should rest here," she said as she helped me to the bed. "I'll check on you later."
I managed to give a nod and threw my lifeless body onto the mattress. My body felt heavy, and my mind was a foggy haze. I could hear the door shut behind her, which left me in the darkness alone.
A couple of minutes passed, or maybe it was hours; I couldn't tell. I could hardly hear the chants, laughter, and music coming from the party downstairs.
Then I heard a subtle knock at the door. The sound was so soft as if the person at the other end was trying not to wake anyone.
The door creaked open, and I struggled to lift my head. A shadowy figure entered the room. But as soon as the figure came closer, I recognized him. It was the same man who had spoken to Victoria earlier.
"Well, aren't you a lovely sight?" he said, his voice low.
I tried to speak, but my voice refused to come. I was trapped in my own body, aware of everything but couldn't do anything to stop it.
The man approached the bed, his eyes dark with intent. He leaned over me, his hands rough as they grabbed my arms and pinned me down.
"You'll thank me later for this," he sneered, his fingers fumbling with the straps of my dress.
Fear flooded my system, but my body wouldn't respond. My eyes filled with tears as I fought against the paralysis gripping me.
Just as he began to pull at my dress, the door burst open.