BLOODLINE OF DECEPTION

Chapter 1 Ravencrest City glittered beautifully at night. From outside, the Ashford Grand Hotel looked like a palace made for royalty—golden lights, expensive cars, cameras flashing endlessly at the entrance. Inside, the richest people in the city laughed over champagne while violin music floated through the ballroom. Power lived here. And tonight, the Ashford’s wanted the world to see what they're made of. “Elena, hurry up!” Elena Hart nearly dropped the tray of champagne glasses she was carrying as Sofia rushed toward her in panic. “You disappeared again,” Sofia whispered harshly. “Do you know how many important people are here tonight?” Elena sighed tiredly. “I only went to answer my mom’s call.” “Well, try not to lose this job before midnight,” Sofia muttered. “The Ashford’s pay too well.” Elena forced a small smile and adjusted the black waitress uniform Sofia had begged her to wear for the night. Technically, Elena wasn’t even supposed to be there. She was only covering for one of Sofia’s coworkers who called in sick. Sofia is Elena's very good friend. Elena offered to help because she needed money for her upkeep and to ease the work stress from Sofia. One night. That was all anyway. One night of fake smiles and carrying drinks for rich strangers so she could help pay her mother’s hospital bills and for her upkeep. Easy. At least, that was what she thought. Suddenly, loud applause filled the ballroom. The crowd shifted toward the grand staircase where Vanessa Ashford appeared in a breathtaking silver gown. Elegant. Untouchable. Dangerous. Every camera turned toward her instantly. “The queen has arrived,” Sofia whispered dramatically. Elena almost laughed. But something about Vanessa felt strange. Cold. Like the woman smiled with her mouth while her eyes stayed empty. Elena noticed it all. Vanessa gracefully accepted kisses on the cheek from politicians, celebrities, and businessmen as reporters flooded around her. Then— The atmosphere changed. People began whispering. Phones quietly appeared. Excitement spread through the ballroom. Elena frowned. “What happened?” Sofia’s eyes widened. “No way…” “What?” Sofia grabbed Elena’s arm tightly. “He came.” Before Elena could ask who, the ballroom doors opened. Jordan Vale walked in. The moment Jordan Vale stepped into the room, conversation died. Not completely—just enough for people to notice him. He was the kind of man whose aura commanded attention without asking for it. Standing well over six feet tall, his broad shoulders and lean, athletic frame gave him an effortless presence that made every other man seem ordinary. His tailored black suit fit him perfectly, emphasizing the strength beneath while adding to the aura of power that followed him wherever he went. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as though he had run impatient fingers through it moments before arriving. It softened features that would have otherwise looked intimidating—sharp cheekbones, a strong jawline, and lips that rarely curved into a genuine smile. But it was his eyes that captivated people. Seductive Cold. Piercing. Dangerously unreadable. The deep charcoal-gray gazes swept across the room with quiet authority, making some people straighten unconsciously while others quickly looked away. Those eyes carried the weight of secrets, pain, and a darkness no one could quite understand. His skin held a warm bronze tone that contrasted strikingly against his dark clothing, while the expensive watch resting against his wrist sparkled at wealth without the need for display. Women noticed him immediately. Some stared. Others whispered. A few openly admired him. Jordan was undeniably handsome—not with the soft charm of a prince, but with the devastating allure of a storm waiting to happen. The kind of man who looked dangerous enough to break your heart and yet irresistible enough to make you risk it anyway. Yet despite the attention, he seemed untouched by it. His expression remained calm, almost indifferent, as though the entire room was beneath his interest. He carried himself with quiet confidence, each step measured and deliberate. And somehow, that coldness only made him more attractive. Because Jordan Vale wasn't trying to be charming. He simply was. --- The grand ballroom fell into an uneasy silence as Jordan Vale entered. Heads turned instantly. A waiter nearly missed a step. Even the musicians seemed to falter for a brief second. Jordan walked through the crowd as though he owned the air they breathed. His presence was magnetic, impossible to ignore. Silence spread almost instantly. Even the reporters forgot Vanessa for a second. Men looked threatened. But Jordan noticed nobody. Not until his eyes landed briefly on Vanessa. And somehow— The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Vanessa’s smile lasted for only a second. Tiny, Almost invisible. But Elena saw it all. Jordan Vale made Vanessa Ashford nervous, Interesting. “Wait,” Elena whispered to Sofia. “I thought Jordan and the Ashford’s hated each other so much.” “They do,” Sofia whispered back excitedly. “That’s why this is insane for him showing up here unannounced.” Jordan stopped near the staircase while reporters rushed toward him immediately. “Mr. Vale, is it true you haven’t attended an Ashford event in seven years?” “Mr. Vale, are the rumors about the Ashford lawsuit true?” “Mr. Vale—” “No comment.” His voice was smooth. Calm. Dangerously calm. Then his eyes suddenly shifted softly, Directly toward Elena. Her breath caught unexpectedly. For one strange second, it felt like he recognized her from somewhere. Impossible. She had never met him before. Jordan looked away first and continued walking deeper into the ballroom, still catching the glance of women around because of his hot, terrifyingly attractive look. Elena released a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “God,” Sofia whispered. “That man is terrifyingly attractive.” Elena rolled her eyes lightly, but funnily her heartbeat still felt strangely uneven. Across the ballroom, Vanessa watched Jordan carefully while pretending to speak with guests. Then something unexpected happened. A woman entered through the side hallway. Red heels. Black dress. Dark sunglasses despite the night. The moment Vanessa saw her— she froze. Not nervous this time. Terrified. Elena noticed immediately. The woman walked straight toward Vanessa without greeting anyone. Vanessa whispered something sharply to her before forcing a fake smile for nearby cameras. But the woman wasn’t smiling. She looked furious. “Elena,” Sofia whispered suddenly, “take these drinks upstairs to the private lounge.” “To the private lounge?” Elena murmured, Elena grabbed the tray automatically. As she climbed the staircase, she accidentally noticed Vanessa quickly pulling the mysterious woman into the restricted hallway upstairs. They were arguing. Badly. “You should’ve stayed gone,” Vanessa hissed quietly. The woman laughed coldly. “You buried the wrong person.” Elena slowed slightly. Buried? “What do you want?” Vanessa was now so in need of answers. “I want what belongs to me.” Before Elena could hear more, someone suddenly stepped into the hallway behind her. Jordan. His eyes moved from Elena… to the hallway. He had heard everything too. For a second, nobody spoke. Then Jordan calmly took a champagne glass from Elena’s tray. “You should go downstairs,” he said quietly. Elena swallowed nervously. “I was just delivering—” “I know.” Something about his tone felt like a warning. But before Elena could leave— The ballroom lights suddenly went out. Darkness swallowed everything. Gasps erupted downstairs. Then— BANG! A gunshot echoed through the hotel. Screams exploded immediately after. Elena froze. Her breathing stopped for a second. Somewhere inside the darkness upstairs, a woman cried out sharply. Then silence. A few seconds later, the emergency lights flashed red. The hallway looked terrifying under the crimson glow. And standing at the far end— was Jordan Vale. Blood stained the sleeve of his white shirt. And lying near the staircase… Was the woman in red heels? Dead. Elena’s tray crashed onto the floor. Jordan slowly lifted his eyes toward her. Neither of them moved. Then quietly— almost gently— Jordan said coldly: “If you want to survive this night, Elena…” “Pretend you never saw me.”