Chapter 4:The First Attack
520 Words
The Lancaster Mansion was silent.
Outside, the rain had stopped, and the moon cast a pale light over the sprawling estate.
Isabella lay awake in the luxurious bedroom. The soft mattress and elegant surroundings felt unfamiliar.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Damien throwing the ring to the floor.
She pressed her hand against her chest.
"Why?" she whispered.
A soft creak broke the silence.
Her eyes flew open.
Someone was in the room.
A shadow slipped through the open balcony doors.
The figure wore black from head to toe, with only a pair of cold eyes visible behind a mask.
In his gloved hand was a sharp knife.
He moved silently toward the bed.
Isabella held her breath.
The man raised the knife...
Just as he lunged—
Bang!
The bedroom door burst open.
Two Lancaster bodyguards rushed inside.
"Protect Miss Lancaster!" one of them shouted.
The assassin spun around and slashed at the nearest guard.
A fierce fight erupted.
Furniture crashed to the floor.
Glass shattered.
The second guard tackled the intruder, but the assassin threw a smoke bomb.
The room filled with thick gray smoke.
By the time the smoke cleared...
The assassin was gone.
Edward Lancaster rushed into the room, his face pale.
"Isabella!"
"I'm fine," she said, though her voice trembled.
Edward looked at the broken balcony doors.
"They've found you already."
"Who?"
He hesitated.
"I don't know yet."
"But whoever sent that man knows who you are."
His expression hardened.
"From this moment on, you'll never be left alone."
The next morning...
News spread quickly through the city.
"The Lancaster Group Announces Its Sole Heiress."
Television stations, newspapers, and business websites all carried Isabella's photograph.
At Knight Group headquarters, Damien stared at the headline in disbelief.
ISABELLA HART IS THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF BUSINESS TYCOON EDWARD LANCASTER.
He read the article again.
And again.
"No..."
"This can't be."
His secretary entered the office.
"Mr. Knight, the Lancaster Group has announced a charity gala this weekend."
Damien looked up.
"So?"
"Their newly announced heiress will attend."
His heart skipped a beat.
After everything that had happened...
He would see Isabella again.
Across town, Victoria crushed the newspaper in her hands.
Her face twisted with anger.
"She should have died yesterday."
Her phone rang.
The same unknown man spoke.
"You've failed twice."
Victoria lowered her head.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't get another chance."
"If Isabella survives..."
"We all lose everything."
The call ended.
Victoria's hands shook.
She realized she was no longer just lying to protect herself.
She had become part of a dangerous conspiracy.
That evening, Edward entered Isabella's room carrying a small velvet box.
"I have something for you."
Inside was a beautiful diamond necklace with the Lancaster family crest.
"It belonged to your mother," Edward said softly.
"She wanted you to have it one day."
Tears filled Isabella's eyes as she fastened the necklace around her neck.
She looked into the mirror.
The frightened bride from yesterday was gone.
A new determination burned in her eyes.
She whispered to her reflection,
"They took everything from me."
"But they won't take my future."
- Writer
