The grand halls of Ravencourt Estate glittered with chandeliers, their golden light reflecting off the polished marble floors. Laughter and music filled the air as nobles danced, conversed, and schemed in their usual manner.
But unseen by all, a hand had already begun to shape their fates.
At the far end of the hall, Edgar Whitmore stood stiffly, clutching a glass of wine he had no intention of drinking. His palms were sweaty, his breath shallow. Lucien's words still echoed in his mind.
"Attend the gathering. Speak to Lady Evelyn. Tell her about your father's latest trade deal."
He swallowed hard. This was it—the moment he stepped into a game far beyond his comprehension.
And at that very moment, a pair of violet eyes fell upon him.
The Lady and the Trap
Lady Evelyn Ravencourt was an anomaly among nobles. Sharp-minded, with a gaze that peeled away falsehoods, she was known for her strategic brilliance. Unlike the vain daughters of the aristocracy, she had little interest in gossip or indulgence.
Tonight, however, something had caught her attention.
A man out of place.
Edgar Whitmore. He was nervous, sweating, and clearly didn't belong in these circles. But why was he here?
Evelyn took a sip of her wine, eyes narrowing. This is either a mistake… or a test.
She decided to find out.
Gracefully, she approached, her voice as smooth as silk. "Lord Whitmore. I don't believe we've had the pleasure of a proper conversation."
Edgar nearly choked on his breath. He quickly bowed. "L-Lady Evelyn. It's an honor."
She smiled lightly. "It's rare to see you at events like these. I assume you have an interesting reason?"
Edgar hesitated. His mind raced. Stick to the script. Just tell her what Lucien said.
He took a breath. "Actually… I wanted to speak with you about something important. A trade deal my father recently secured."
Evelyn's curiosity sharpened. "Oh?"
Edgar nodded, forcing confidence into his voice. "Yes. He's working on an exclusive shipment for Duke Valmore. A very lucrative one."
Evelyn sipped her wine, feigning disinterest. But inside, her mind was already calculating.
Why would he tell me this?
And then, something clicked.
"That trade deal is about to go terribly, terribly wrong."
Her eyes flickered with understanding. This was a warning.
But from whom?
A Shadow Behind the Curtain
Lucien watched from the second-floor balcony, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Edgar had done exactly as instructed. And Evelyn… she was just as perceptive as he had hoped.
He turned his attention to the far end of the room, where Duke Valmore's right-hand man, Lord Gregor, was speaking to a merchant.
Lucien's fingers tapped against the railing. It should happen any moment now…
Then, right on cue—
CRASH.
The ballroom doors burst open. A messenger, disheveled and breathless, stumbled inside. "Duke Valmore's shipment has been raided!"
Gasps filled the room. Nobles turned, whispering in shock.
Lucien remained still, his smirk deepening.
Evelyn's gaze snapped toward Edgar, realization dawning in her eyes. He knew. He knew this would happen.
And in that moment, she understood—this was no coincidence.
Somewhere, someone had pulled the strings.
And she intended to find out who.
The Chain Reaction Begins
As chaos spread through the noble gathering, Lucien quietly descended the stairs, vanishing into the crowd.
The pieces were moving exactly as planned.
Duke Valmore's business had suffered a blow.
Edgar had unwittingly become a messenger of fate.
Evelyn had taken the bait.
And now, the game was truly beginning.
End of Chapter 4