The Girl He Was Promised

Chapter 13 — The First Move

The music continued softly throughout the ballroom.

Guests laughed.

Waiters moved between tables carrying champagne and appetizers.

Everything looked perfectly normal.

But Anastasia knew better.

Her eyes remained fixed on the man near the west entrance.

He stood beside one of the pillars, holding a glass in one hand.

He looked like an ordinary guest.

But his eyes kept moving.

The exits.

The security guards.

The guests.

And finally—

Anastasia.

She quietly leaned toward Alexander.

"He's not here for the gala."

Alexander kept his eyes on the crowd.

"Why?"

"He's watching the room instead of enjoying the event."

Alexander nodded slightly.

"I noticed."

Lorenzo moved closer.

"Do you want us to follow him?"

Anastasia shook her head.

"Not yet."

Daniel glanced toward the west entrance.

"Then what?"

"Let's see who he reports to."

Tyler smiled.

"That's more interesting."

Vivian crossed her arms.

"Just don't let him notice we're watching."

Chloe smiled.

"Too late."

Everyone looked at her.

She pointed subtly toward a waiter.

"That waiter has been watching our group for the last five minutes."

Elena immediately scanned the room.

"He's not staff."

Alexander's expression hardened.

"How many?"

"Two," Elena answered.

"One near the entrance."

She glanced toward the opposite side of the ballroom.

"And another near the staircase."

Alexander looked at Anastasia.

She remained calm.

"Then we're being watched from both sides."

"Yes."

He lowered his voice.

"Stay close."

Anastasia smiled.

"I can take care of myself."

"I know."

His eyes softened.

"But stay close anyway."

She didn't argue.

Across the ballroom, the suspicious man near the west entrance touched his ear.

A tiny communication device was hidden beneath his collar.

"Target has arrived."

A voice answered.

"Which target?"

"The Smith girl."

A pause.

"And Go?"

"He's with her."

Another pause.

"What about the others?"

The man glanced toward the group.

"All of them."

The voice became colder.

"Don't engage."

"Understood."

"Just watch."

The man lowered his hand.

He didn't notice that Elena had already seen the movement.

She quietly whispered to Anastasia.

"He's communicating with someone."

Anastasia nodded.

"Can you track the signal?"

Elena smiled.

"I can try."

She discreetly opened an application on her phone.

A few seconds later, a small indicator appeared.

"He's transmitting."

"Where?"

Elena followed the signal.

Her expression changed.

"Upstairs."

Anastasia looked toward the second floor.

There were several private rooms above the ballroom.

"Victor?"

"Possibly."

Alexander heard them.

"We'll check."

Anastasia shook her head.

"Not yet."

Alexander looked at her.

"Why?"

"If Victor is upstairs, he wants us to find him."

Lorenzo nodded.

"She's right."

Daniel agreed.

"Someone brought us here."

Tyler looked around.

"The gala isn't the real target."

Anastasia's eyes narrowed.

"No."

She looked at the man near the west entrance.

"We are."

A few minutes later, the orchestra began another song.

The guests moved toward the dance floor.

Alexander extended his hand toward Anastasia.

"Dance with me."

She looked at him.

"Now?"

"Everyone is watching."

She smiled.

"That's exactly why you're asking."

"Yes."

She placed her hand in his.

"Fine."

They stepped onto the dance floor.

Alexander placed one hand gently at her waist.

Anastasia rested her hand on his shoulder.

For a moment, the tension disappeared.

"You know," Anastasia whispered, "you're surprisingly good at this."

"I had lessons."

"Of course you did."

"What?"

"You're a billionaire heir. Of course you learned ballroom dancing."

He smiled.

"And you?"

"I learned because I wanted to."

"That's different."

"Very."

They continued moving.

But their conversation remained quiet.

"How many?" Alexander asked.

"Three that I can see."

"Four," Alexander replied.

Anastasia looked at him.

"Fourth?"

"Behind the woman in the silver dress."

Anastasia smiled.

"You really are observant."

"So are you."

They continued dancing as if nothing was wrong.

Meanwhile, their friends remained scattered around the ballroom.

Lorenzo was near the bar.

Daniel was speaking with one of the event organizers.

Tyler stood near the entrance.

Vivian and Chloe were near the dining area.

Elena remained close to the staircase.

Nobody looked suspicious.

Nobody acted afraid.

They were simply watching.

Then suddenly—

the lights flickered.

Once.

Twice.

The music stopped.

The ballroom became silent.

Guests looked around in confusion.

Anastasia immediately felt it.

Danger.

"Alexander."

"I know."

A waiter suddenly moved toward them.

Too quickly.

His hand went inside his jacket.

Alexander reacted instantly.

He caught the man's wrist.

The waiter tried to pull away.

Alexander twisted his arm and forced him backward.

At the same time, another man rushed toward the nearest exit.

Lorenzo intercepted him.

Daniel blocked the opposite side.

Tyler caught another man attempting to reach the staircase.

The ballroom erupted into confusion.

Guests screamed.

Security rushed forward.

But Anastasia didn't move.

She was watching the staircase.

Because she had sensed something else.

Someone was coming down.

Slowly.

Calmly.

A familiar voice spoke from above.

"Still as perceptive as ever."

Anastasia froze.

She knew that voice.

Alexander looked at her.

"Anastasia?"

She slowly turned toward the staircase.

Victor Hale stood there.

For the first time since arriving in the city—

he was standing directly in front of her.

Victor smiled.

"Hello, Anastasia."

The ballroom seemed to disappear.

Six years vanished in an instant.

Anastasia's expression became unreadable.

Alexander stepped slightly in front of her.

Victor's eyes moved toward him.

"So you're Alexander Go."

Alexander's voice was cold.

"And you're Victor Hale."

Victor smiled.

"I've heard quite a lot about you."

Alexander didn't blink.

"I can't say the same."

Victor laughed softly.

"That's because you don't know the whole story."

Anastasia stepped forward.

"Don't."

Alexander glanced at her.

She looked directly at Victor.

"What do you want?"

Victor's smile disappeared.

"Not what you think."

"Then tell me."

Victor looked around the ballroom.

At the six friends.

At Alexander.

Then back at Anastasia.

"I only came to see how much you've changed."

Anastasia's eyes narrowed.

"And?"

Victor smiled again.

"Now I understand why they were afraid of you."

Alexander's expression hardened.

"Who?"

Victor looked at him.

"That's the question you should be asking."

Before anyone could move, Victor stepped backward.

The security lights suddenly came on.

When they did—

Victor was gone.

Alexander immediately looked toward the staircase.

"Find him."

Lorenzo and Tyler moved toward the upper floor.

Daniel followed.

Vivian, Chloe, and Elena moved toward Anastasia.

But Anastasia remained still.

She was staring at the empty staircase.

Victor had come face-to-face with her.

Yet he hadn't attacked.

He hadn't threatened her.

He had simply wanted to see her.

And that frightened her more than an attack would have.

Because she knew Victor.

If he had shown himself tonight—

then the real game had finally begun.