Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 200 The Masquerade Banquet

The sky in Starlight City was nothing like Seabreeze Harbor. It snowed here, but not there.

The moment I stepped off the plane, the cold hit me, and I yanked my scarf up to cover my face. I wanted to surprise Ethan, so I didn't give him a heads-up.

I grabbed a cab straight to the villa after leaving the airport. But his car wasn't there, and no one answered when I rang the doorbell. Was he out?

If the company's on break, where could he be? Maybe at Victor's?

It was Christmas, after all.

Since it was still early, I decided to swing by Broadway Alley. After almost a year away, the place felt even more deserted. The family that used to live here had moved out. Without the keys to the old house, I just took a look from downstairs and then left.

After a quick lunch, it hit me: Ethan never liked hanging out at Victor's for long. If he was going there for a meal, he wouldn't have gone this early. Could he still be at the office?

I took another cab to Skyline International Corporation and, after hesitating at the tall building, ducked into a nearby coffee shop instead. I ordered a coffee and sat by the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of him if he left the office. The shop was nearly empty, except for a guy with his back to me, nursing a half-finished cup of black coffee and glancing out the window now and then, like he was waiting for something.

After a bit, another guy walked in, headed straight to him, and pulled out a stack of photos from his coat, tossing them on the table.

"Take a look."

The guy with his back to me picked up a photo.

I glanced casually and was shocked.

The person in the photo was Ethan.

"Drew, is it him?" the guy asked.

"It's him! I'd recognize him anywhere."

Drew O'Neill spoke with a hint of gritted teeth.

The guy who brought the photos pulled out a chair and sat across from him. He scanned the room cautiously before his gaze landed on me.

I took a sip of my coffee, realizing my hands were trembling. I pulled out my earbuds from my bag, put them in my ears, and pretended to listen to music while looking out the window. Only then did the guy look away and ask, "So, what's the plan?"

Drew answered, "Take him out."

A chill ran down my spine.

Drew asked again, "Tonight's a good opportunity. Did you get the money I asked for?"

Seth, the guy across from him, patted his chest. "Don't you trust me?"

As he spoke, he pulled out a few bills from his coat and fanned them out with his fingers.

guys to stay sharp tonight. If anyone messes up, I'll

"Don't worry!" Seth said.

turned to look at Skyline International Corporation and said coldly,

trying to stay calm,

then, my

at me, and even

was

calm and answered, lowering the

miss you!" Ethan's rich, magnetic voice came through

at the Skyline International Corporation

Come back and spend Christmas

few seconds before saying, "Honey, I'm sorry. I have something very important

shop, only the soft music and my voice on the phone could be

should have been on

to be with you and the kids. Now,

glanced at the two guys across from me and

something to

said, "Be

soon as I finished speaking,

Ethan came out of the Skyline International Corporation building with Dennis by his

Seth said, "He's out."

Dennis walked straight towards the parking

got up to leave, and Seth hurriedly

me, a few bills happened

them up, his eyes sliding over my legs in nude tights,

go," Drew urged without

the bills and followed. After they left, I bent down and picked up the bill

Once famous, the company had been struggling lately. Hosting a big party

straight to voicemail. Looking at

bought a black dress, a white fur shawl, and crystal shoes. Then,

night fell, I took a cab to the waterfront. The

getting out?" the driver

eighty dollars from my bag and handed it to him. "I'll get

money and

cars arrived one after another at the coast,

a mid-length gray coat, unbuttoned, lit a cigarette, exuding a unique masculine charm. They quickly

saw Drew and Seth from the coffee shop, accompanied by a few others. They boarded the

peaceful, but I sensed an inexplicable eeriness, like

the cab and walked

the person at the entrance, the man respectfully said, "Welcome,"

choose a mask you

mask adorned with glittering stones, gold accents, and feathers, giving it

hall with my head held high. The ball was in full swing, with music playing and couples dancing. Dim lighting and flashing colorful lights set the mood.