A Dance of Fire and Silk

Chapter 3

The grand, spacious hall emitted a soft, golden glow from the crystal chandeliers that hung from every ceiling.

The room, surrounded by golden accent walls, was now filled with the special guests Anna had invited.

Rows of men at the top of the social pyramid sat gracefully at each table with slick suits on their bodies, and classy dresses wrapped around their wives' bodies. Some were cheering and toasting each other with champagne,

while others discuss, curry favor with the richer ones, and increase their relationships with each other. That's why many people want to attend this event, where there will be many conglomerates, investors, and royalty in attendance.

Beside the stage, stood proudly the woman in the red silk satin dress. She smiled as her sharp eyes swept the room. Everyone here is worth money to her-investors, donors, and all their resources are precious to her.

The subtle vibration of the red Kelly Hermes bag hanging from her arm distracts her. She took out her cell phone,

a message from an unknown number she finds when the screen is switched on. Anna frowned, her calm face distorted by the message with its distinctive threatening words. In one look... she knew exactly who the sender was.

From XXX

(Anna, have you ever seen Hans Holbein's "The Ambassadors"?)

(It's my favorite masterpiece, you know? At first glance, there are two dignified men standing between the symbols of their glory. But at the bottom, there's something invisible-a skull that's only visible from a certain angle.)

(Amazing, isn't it? How something hidden is always visible in the end.)

(So it is with what you are holding now. You can arrange this gallery as perfectly as you want, but from the right angle... everyone will see who the real owner is.)

Anna's fingers squeezed her phone hard. This bastard... she growled under her breath. Her facial muscles tensed for a moment.

Her face regained its former calm as Samuel walked towards her. For now, she would put the threatening message aside and focus on tonight.

One thing Anna wanted tonight-no distractions and no scandals of any kind. And that threat she would deal with later.

"We'd better start the show now."

Samuel said, stopping in front of Anna and extending his hand with a fake smile on his face. Anna nodded and smiled, a smile that was just as fake as Samuel's. She slipped her hand into her husband's arm, letting him lead her towards the stage.

In the center of the main stage, under the thunderous applause of the guests, Anna and Samuel stood side by side intimately. Their smiles were perfect under the camera's spotlight.

Gracefully, Anna accepted the microphone from the staff. Her smile grew wider as she opened her voice.

"Good evening everyone. This evening is not only a birthday celebration for the gallery, but also proof that vision and hard work can create something lasting," Anna said with a gentle smile.

"And of course, none of this would have happened without the support of my husband, Samuel. He was the one who always believed in my dreams, who gave me the drive to go further."

The words came out so smoothly from Anna's lips, and everyone seemed to believe them. However, in reality, Anna didn't even know whether or not Samuel cared about her gallery.

Samuel chuckled softly at that, his gaze warm as it fell on Anna.

"I was just doing my duty as a good husband, dear," he said as he patted the back of Anna's hand, which in the eyes of the guests looked like a gentle pat.

"After all, isn't a happy wife the key to a successful household?"

He joked to the guests, which was immediately met with laughter.

Anna smiled at Samuel. The camera flashes kept coming their way. She wanted to look good in the photos, where Anna was sure tomorrow the news would come out about the gallery's anniversary with a picture of her and Samuel tonight.

However, the corners of Anna's lips froze a moment later as her eyes caught sight of someone sitting on a bench in the corner of the room.

Anna's breath caught at the sight of him. Anna's hands silently clenched into fists. That person should not be here. He was none other than Bastian...

The white suit that clung to the man's body contrasted with his dark eyes that snapped sharply at her. Their gazes met. The man threw her a smile-a smile that was more like a mockery.

Anna tried to maintain her calm expression. The soft smile did not fade from Anna's lips when Bastian raised his glass slightly, as if toasting from a distance, then winked seductively at her.

Damn it, Anna growled inwardly.

She had crossed his name off the guest list. How did he get in? What was he planning to do tonight?

She swore she would kill him if he messed up at her event!

A touch on her waist brought Anna instantly out of her thoughts. It was more like a grip. Anna turned to Samuel.

"Focus, you look dazed," Samuel said flatly in warning.

"I'm just moved," Anna replied in an emphasized voice.

Then she refocused on her guests. "My guests, after this we will be celebrating the gallery's birthday with a special presentation for all of you. Please enjoy the evening!"

Thunderous applause echoed throughout the room. Amongst all the people and the camera flashes that rained down on her, Anna was focused on just one person. Bastian.

What are you up to this time, damn man?

The sound of applause was still echoing in the hall when Anna stepped off the stage. Before she could pull her hand from Samuel's arm, a man in a perfect suit approached with laughter on his lips. It was the country's Prime Minister of Finance, Richard Wilton.

"Wonderful show, Mrs. Lauren," he said, shaking Samuel and Anna's hands in turn. "Mrs. Laurent, I was so taken with you tonight. I wish everyone in the art world could be as intelligent as you in understanding the politics of reputation." She laughed after saying that.

Anna smiled gracefully. She accepted a champagne glass from a waiter, her fingers twirling the glass before opening her voice calculatingly. "Reputation is everything for people like us, isn't it? After all, art and politics are supposed to go hand in hand."

The Prime Minister chuckled. "A very... good statement. I like that. Mr. Samuel is very lucky to have you."

Samuel nodded with a big smile. "Oh, Prime Minister, you are forbidden to be jealous about this," Samuel replied playfully.

"I heard that some investment companies are interested in cooperating with this gallery," the Prime Minister continued. "I thought maybe our country could benefit a little from this success."

"Prime Minister, in a world like this, nothing comes for free, right? If the country wants to benefit from this gallery, then let's talk about what can be offered in return. Shall we arrange a meal together for a more detailed discussion?" Samuel laughed again.

The Prime Minister sipped his champagne slowly, then added, "Ah, Mr. Laurent, you really know how to conduct business."

Anna stepped out of the conversation for a moment and let Samuel take over.

Anna's attention turned to the corner of the room, watching for someone still sitting there, but the man was nowhere to be seen. Did he just leave?

Bastian's departure made Anna feel uneasy. Bastian never left without leaving something behind.

Again Anna tried to ignore it. She was about to make small talk with the Prime Minister, but something bothered her again.

Something was vibrating in her bag again. An unknown number was again displayed on her screen, showing a message that made Anna almost let out a sneer.

From XXX:

(What a great welcome, you're very good at making people fall in love with you. Unfortunately, I prefer a private chat. How about now you go to your room and meet me? I hope you don't keep me waiting long, that would be rude, wouldn't it?)

Anna's eyes flashed sharply. A cold smirk played on her lips. Bastian was not someone who showed up just to make small talk. If he was here, then he had something prepared.

The anticipated auction was almost here, but the owner of the event seemed to be in a hurry to leave the party hall. Her steps echoed with a regular rhythm.

Bastian's appearance did not calm her down. Her fingers clenched at her sides, causing her sharp nails to nearly pierce her own palms.

She could handle almost anyone in the hall, from the Prime Minister, bankers, investors, and the few who came to curry favor with her. But not that sneaky stepson, who even kept Anna on her toes with his words and his messages that he would take her precious gallery.

She closed her eyes for a moment when she arrived at her office.

Anna took a deep breath to control herself. As soon as the door opened, her gaze snapped to the man sitting casually in his oversized chair. His feet were lifted haughtily onto the table, while his fingers slowly twirled the wine glass in his hand.

A smile broke out as he looked Anna over from head to toe. "Lovely evening, isn't it?" The voice was full of mockery.

Anna's chest rose and fell as it stopped in front of her desk. "You promised you wouldn't bother me until the end of my program," the soft voice sounded cynical.

Bastian propped his chin up lazily after lowering his feet from the table. "I don't remember making such a promise." He slowly sipped his wine after that.

Anna grew furious at Bastian's playful face. She clenched her fists at her sides. "Tell me what you want, Bastian. I don't have time for you tonight!" Anna growled.

Bastian chuckled, then got up from his chair and walked over to Anna. "You're really out of line, Stepmom. A party this big, and you didn't invite me? I'm so disappointed."

Anna squinted with her hands folded across her chest. "I'm not even interested in seeing your face, let alone inviting you," Anna sneers scathingly

Bastian leaned against the table, his hand moving to reach for the silver plaque with Anna's name on it. His fingers traced the object with an unreadable gaze.

"It just so happens that I didn't come here to party." His initially bowed head slowly lifted and gave Anna an intense look. "I want you to sign a contract with me."

Anna's face hardened, her gaze sharpened following the man who was now stepping slowly towards the window.

"What contract?" Anna hissed, her eyes narrowed to stare at his broad back, her mind racing, trying to decipher his true intentions.

Bastian turned around, leaning his back against the side of the window with his arms folded. "I want to work in this gallery."

Anna suddenly laughed, her grim laughter coloring the room in an instant. When the laughter stopped, the sound of her heels echoed sharply as she stepped closer to Bastian. She looked at the man coldly.

"You? Want to work at the gallery? Is this some kind of joke?"

"No, I really want to." He smiled playfully, but those dark eyes seemed to glint sharply.

"Swallow that wish of yours Bastian,

I don't know if you'll blow this place up one day, or if I'll be the next thing you smuggle in instead of art!"Anna said breathlessly, her face flushed with emotion.

"You're thinking too far. I want to take care of my mother's gallery directly." Bastian's voice was getting lower and lower.

That sentence made Anna even more overcome with rage. Her breathing was labored as she swallowed her frustration before replying, "The gallery is now mine."

"Well, then you have two choices." Bastian took a step forward, putting some distance between them.

Anna sneered, her hands unconsciously squeezing the dress at her sides. "What do you mean?" Her voice trembled, her anger now reaching the top of her lungs.

"Let me work in this gallery... or I'll buy all the debts you've been hiding and take over your gallery legally. You know I can do it."

Anna's heart nearly jumped when she heard that, her jaw instantly hardening. "What did you say?!"

Bastian smiled casually. "So, Anna. Which choice are you going to make?"

Anna's black eyes burned as she looked at him, heat coursing through her body, the dress she was wearing almost ripped from the grip of her long nails. "How dare you threaten me, you bastard!"

Bastian laughed lowly, his body slowly bending as he brought his face closer to Anna's ear with a dark look in his eyes. "So, what's your choice this time, Anna?"

Anna drew in a sharp breath, hatred swelling inside her. Aside from the threat, there was something that angered Anna even more to the point of almost exploding, which was the glint of absolute conviction in his eyes, as if telling her that she had no choice but to submit to him! Anna hated this! No, she wasn't going to let herself lose so easily.

"I will give you an answer," but not here. We're done talking in this room," Anna said in a cold voice. No, she would never let Bastian work here, he would only destroy her!

Bastian gave her a long look, then smiled wryly. "I'm waiting, dear.

"Don't forget—tomorrow at 8 p., meet me at the hotel where we met last month."