Chapter 11:Face To Face With Death
629 Words
The grand ballroom buzzed with laughter and conversation.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead while a live orchestra played soft music.
Isabella stood beside Edward, greeting guests with a graceful smile.
For the first time in years...
She looked like she truly belonged.
Across the room...
A waitress pushed a silver trolley toward the guests.
She smiled warmly.
No one suspected she was Raven.
Inside her sleeve...
A tiny poisoned needle was ready.
One scratch...
And her target would be dead within minutes.
"Target is ten steps away," Raven whispered into her earpiece.
A cold voice answered,
"Finish it."
Raven picked up a glass of champagne and walked toward Isabella.
"Good evening, Miss Lancaster," she said politely.
"Congratulations on becoming the Lancaster heiress."
"Thank you," Isabella replied with a smile.
Raven handed her the glass.
Just as Isabella reached for it...
A strange feeling washed over her.
She remembered the poisoned champagne from the previous gala.
Her instincts screamed.
Something was wrong.
Before she could react...
Raven deliberately stumbled.
"Oh!"
The tray tilted.
Champagne splashed across Isabella's dress.
The guests gasped.
"I'm so sorry!" Raven apologized, pretending to panic.
Edward frowned.
"It's only an accident," Isabella said calmly.
"I'll change my dress."
"I'll show you to the dressing room," Raven offered.
Edward hesitated.
"I'll send one of the maids."
Raven lowered her head respectfully.
"Of course, Chairman."
A real maid quickly arrived and led Isabella upstairs.
Raven watched them disappear.
Then she smiled.
"Phase one complete."
Inside the dressing room...
The maid helped Isabella remove the stained gown.
"I'll get another dress for you, Miss Lancaster."
"Thank you."
The maid left.
Isabella was alone.
She stood before the mirror, taking a deep breath.
Suddenly...
The lights went out.
Darkness filled the room.
"What happened?"
Before she could move...
The door quietly clicked shut.
A soft voice echoed behind her.
"You have beautiful eyes."
Isabella spun around.
A woman dressed completely in black stepped out of the shadows.
Her blue eyes gleamed.
She twirled a thin silver dagger between her fingers.
"I've wanted to meet you."
"Who are you?" Isabella asked, backing away.
The woman smiled.
"You may call me..."
"Raven."
Isabella's heart pounded.
"So it's you."
Raven laughed softly.
"I'm impressed."
"Most people don't recognize me until it's too late."
She slowly raised the dagger.
"You know..."
"I almost feel sorry for you."
"You've only just found your family."
"And now..."
"You're about to lose your life."
She lunged.
Isabella quickly dodged.
The dagger sliced through the sleeve of her dress.
She stumbled backward.
Raven attacked again.
This time, Isabella grabbed a decorative vase from a nearby table and threw it.
Crash!
The vase shattered against the wall.
Raven stepped aside effortlessly.
"Not bad."
"But not enough."
She raised the dagger again...
Just as the dressing room door burst open.
"Isabella!"
It was Damien.
He had arrived just in time.
Without thinking, he rushed between Isabella and Raven.
The dagger slashed across his arm.
Blood stained the sleeve of his tuxedo.
Raven smiled.
"So..."
"The prince wants to save the princess."
She looked at Damien with amusement.
"Let's see how long you can protect her."
Sirens echoed outside the hotel.
Security guards were racing toward the room.
Raven glanced toward the window.
"It's not your time..."
"...yet."
She smashed the window with a chair...
And disappeared into the night.
Damien fell to one knee, clutching his bleeding arm.
Isabella rushed to him.
"Damien!"
He looked up at her and managed a weak smile.
"As long as you're safe..."
"...I'm fine."
Before Isabella could answer...
Edward and his guards rushed into the room.
Edward looked at Damien's wound.
Then his expression changed.
"That's not an ordinary knife."
"The blade..."
"...was poisoned."
Damien's smile faded.
His vision blurred.
He collapsed into Isabella's arms.
- Writer
