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.

International Corporation and said coldly,

trying to stay calm, but my

my phone

even Drew

call was from

myself to stay calm and answered,

Ethan's rich, magnetic voice came through the

phone tightly, looking at the

Come back

was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Honey, I'm sorry. I have something very important tonight and can't spend Christmas

again. In the quiet coffee shop, only the soft music and

Christmas. The company should have been on

Harbor to be with you and the kids. Now, turn on the video. I want to

at the two guys across from me and said,

"Then next time. I have something

said,

I finished speaking, the

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

Seth said, "He's out."

Dennis walked straight towards the parking

hurriedly gathered the photos and bills from the

by me, a few bills

pick them up, his eyes sliding over my legs in nude tights, and he gave a

Drew urged without

followed. After they left, I

was for the Dreamy Cruise Christmas New Year Extravaganza, a masquerade ball by Unity Emporium. Once famous, the company had been struggling lately. Hosting a big

tried calling Ethan, but his phone went straight to voicemail. Looking at the ticket again, I made a

away and went shopping. I bought a black dress, a white fur shawl, and crystal shoes. Then, I hit up

mirror, I barely recognized myself. As night fell, I took a cab to the waterfront. The cab stopped, and

getting out?" the driver asked when

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

the money and cheerfully

arrived one after another at the coast, and more

while, a familiar Maybach appeared. Ethan and Dennis got out. Ethan, wearing a mid-length gray coat, unbuttoned, lit a cigarette, exuding a unique masculine

shop, accompanied by a few others. They

seemed peaceful, but I sensed an inexplicable eeriness, like there was a hidden scent of

out of the cab and walked toward

ticket to the person at the entrance, the man respectfully

choose a

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

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