The private office of Hazard at Cornellio Empire headquarters was filled with a suffocating cold aura. The large window displayed a gloomy dusk sky, as if reflecting the anger of the twenty-eight-year-old man. A day and a night had passed since the embarrassing incident at the ballroom, and his name was still being mentioned as an incompetent heir in various news media.
"Have you found her?" Hazard asked without turning from his leather chair as a young man in all-black attire entered. He was rubbing his temples roughly.
His personal assistant, Jordan, stepped forward with a tablet in hand. "We traced the license plate of the car the woman used. The car belongs to Ms. Savana Greys—"
"The fiancée who left on my wedding day?" Hazard cut in sharply.
"Yes, Sir. We also investigated further. The woman is quite close to Ms. Greys and her name is ... Lieve Wesley."
Hazard slowly stood up. His breath hitched.
"Wesley?" he uttered in a low voice, but one containing embers of rage. "That damn family again?"
Jordan nodded cautiously. "She's not a primary member. Just an adopted child, her life history isn't clearly known."
Hazard sneered. It wasn't a normal smile—it was more like a sign that a storm was coming. And that storm would be one he created.
"Adopted or not, she carries the Wesley name," he hissed. "Dared to ruin my wedding in front of reporters, in front of the world? Very well."
Hazard picked up a glass of whiskey from his table, but he didn't drink it. He only stared at the golden liquid before speaking again, "If this is a game from the Wesley Family... Then I'll play it the Cornell way."
Jordan shivered. He knew this would be the beginning of an even greater disaster.
"Keep an eye on that woman. Follow her wherever she goes. I want to know her weaknesses. Everything."
"Yes, Sir." Jordan nodded respectfully and then shuffled out of the light-gray dominated room.
And when he sat back down, Hazard's face had changed. His expression was full of intent to destroy.
**
"Shannon... give me back my locket."
Lieve held her breath, standing in the middle of her room, which looked neat but was now tinged with tension. Her hair was messy, and her eyes conveyed a mix of anger and despair. In the hand of Shannon, the birth daughter of the Wesley family who was two years younger, was a small silver locket with intricate carvings in the center.
Shannon sneered as she examined the locket, a memento Lieve had brought from the orphanage years ago. "This locket is too beautiful, it's not fit for an orphan like you. I'm sure... Mom thinks so too."
"Shannon, please..." Lieve stepped forward, almost crying. "It's the only thing I owned before I came to this house."
Shannon scoffed, then moved closer. "You don't even deserve to live here, to wear expensive clothes, or even have a boyfriend like Henry."
Lieve fell silent. "Henry? What does that have to do with—"
Without warning, Shannon pushed Lieve, who fell to the floor. Her back hit the ground hard. The twenty-four-year-old woman groaned softly, wincing.
"Henry is tired of you. He's a better match for someone like me," Shannon continued with a triumphant smile.
Lieve was stunned, still believing that Shannon's words were just a ploy to prevent her and Henry from getting engaged in two weeks. Before she could get up, the locket was thrown by Shannon right at her. Lieve quickly caught it, holding it tightly.
The door slammed shut. Lieve sighed deeply, then got up from her position as an email notification sounded from her phone. Her eyes widened as she read the email's title.
Special Invitation: Ravens Gallery Art Exhibition
Lieve frowned. She had never signed up for any club. But that gallery was her dream place since she was a kid. And of course, she would go.
**
The streetlights cast a golden glow on the car's window as a black sedan glided calmly toward the city center. In the passenger seat, Lieve held a small clutch and occasionally glanced out the window. Her face was adorned with light makeup, and a lavender knee-length dress made her look sweet.
"Still nervous?" Henry asked, glancing over from the driver's seat. His voice was soft, warm, and always made Lieve feel safe.
"A little," Lieve replied with a small smile. "I still can't believe I was invited to a gallery like Ravens."
"Because you deserve it." Henry briefly reached for Lieve's hand, giving it a quick kiss. "They must have seen your paintings that you've uploaded on social media."
Lieve looked down shyly, her smile widening. "Thank you for driving me, Henry."
Henry glanced at his watch. "I have a dinner appointment with a client at a restaurant not far from here, but it won't be long. I'll pick you up as soon as I'm done. Send me a message when the event is over, okay?"
Lieve nodded. "Okay, drive safe."
The car stopped right in front of the modern classical-style gallery building. In the courtyard, several formally dressed guests were already entering the building.
Henry got out first and then opened the door for Lieve. "Enjoy your night, Baby."
Lieve got out, and Henry briefly fixed her hair that was blown by the wind. "You look so beautiful tonight," he whispered.
Lieve's cheeks flushed. She walked into the gallery building, unaware that from a distance, a pair of eyes was watching her intently.
A female attendant greeted her warmly at the entrance. Without being asked, Lieve immediately showed the email invitation on her phone screen.
"Ms. Lieve Wesley? The collector scheduled to meet you has already arrived early. He requested that you wait in the VIP lounge," the woman with her hair in a neat bun said kindly.
Lieve nodded politely, feeling a little flattered. She followed the staff member down a quiet hallway to an elegant classical-style room, complete with a burgundy velvet sofa and a small glass table.
"Please have a seat. I'll let him know you've arrived." The staff member bowed and then left her alone.
A moment later, another staff came in carrying a silver tray with a cup of warm lemon tea. "Tea for you, Miss."
Lieve said thank you. She took a small sip, it was soft and refreshing. But her thirst only grew. Without a second thought, she finished it.
A few minutes passed. Lieve started to feel strange. Her vision blurred. The room seemed to sway slowly. She held her head, trying to stand, but her knees felt weak. "What's happening..."
The door opened. Hazard Cornell stood there, leaning his body against the doorframe while staring intently at her. A half-mocking smile was on his face.
Lieve blinked rapidly, trying to maintain her fading consciousness. "You... what are you doing here ...?"
Hazard stepped closer, not answering. His face was cold and almost emotionless.
Lieve tried to get up from the sofa, but everything around her felt like it was spinning. Her breathing quickened. Her vision faded. Her slender body fell weakly onto the sofa just as she heard his baritone voice whisper, "Let's have some fun, Ms. Wesley ...."
**