Chapter two: The Perfect Night
1297 Words
The birthday celebration continued in full swing.
The grand hall was filled with music, laughter, and endless conversations between powerful families and business elites. Waiters moved gracefully through the crowd, carrying glasses of drinks and plates of expensive delicacies.
But Alice barely noticed any of it.
Her attention was focused on the people around her.
For the first time in a long while, she felt truly happy.
After her mother's death things haven't been the same, she haven't seen her father so calm and relax in a while.
She stood beside her father as he introduced her to important guests.
“This is my daughter, Alice Way,” Cornel proudly announced. “The future of Way Co.”
Alice smiled politely and greeted each person with confidence.
She had been trained from a young age to represent the Way family. She knew how to speak, how to behave, and how to carry herself.
Many people saw her as a spoiled heiress.
But those who truly knew her knew she was hardworking, kind, and determined.
Especially Sophia.
“Look at you,” Sophia whispered when they stepped away from the crowd. “The famous Alice Way. Everyone is practically fighting for your attention tonight.”
Alice laughed.
“Don’t exaggerate.”
“I’m not exaggerating,” Sophia replied dramatically. “Half the people here are probably wondering how to get close to you.”
Alice rolled her eyes.
“You’re making me sound like some kind of celebrity.”
“You are.”
Alice shook her head, but she couldn’t stop smiling.
Then Ethan walked toward them.
“Alice, can I talk to you for a moment?”
His serious tone caught her attention.
“Sure.”
She followed him to the quiet balcony overlooking the beautiful garden.
The music from inside became softer as the doors closed behind them.
Alice looked at him curiously.
“What’s wrong? You look nervous.”
Ethan smiled and reached for her hand.
“I just wanted to say something before the night gets too busy.”
Alice looked at their intertwined hands.
“What is it?”
“I’m proud of you.”
Her heart warmed.....“You are?”
“Of course. You’ve worked hard to become the person you are today. You’re not just the Way heiress. You’re Alice.”
A genuine smile appeared on her face.
“Thank you, Ethan.”
For a moment, everything felt perfect.
But hidden behind the balcony door, someone watched them.
Sophia.
Her expression was different from before.
The sweet smile she always wore was gone.
Her eyes carried a strange emotion as she looked at Alice.
Jealousy, Envy, And something much darker.
A phone buzzed in her hand.
She glanced at the message.
"Everything is ready. Tonight, Alice Way loses everything."
Sophia looked back at Alice, who was still smiling at Ethan, completely unaware.
“Enjoy your last happy moment,” Sophia whispered, because by tomorrow morning, the princess everyone admired would become the girl everyone hated.
The sound of laughter filled the room as guests watched the giant screen at the front of the hall. The lights dimmed, and everyone turned their attention toward it.
Alice stood beside her father, Cornel Way, smiling with curiosity.
“Dad, what is this?”
Cornel smiled proudly.
“A little surprise for my daughter.”
The screen came alive.
A small blonde girl appeared, running through the garden of the Way Mansion with a bright smile on her face.
The guests laughed softly.
“That’s Alice?”
“She was so cute.”
The video continued.
Pictures of Alice’s childhood appeared one after another.
Her first day of school.
Her first piano performance.
The day she received an award.
Family vacations.
Moments where Cornel held her hand and proudly watched her grow.
The hall was filled with warmth.
Alice covered her mouth, touched by the memories.
“Dad…”
Cornel looked at her lovingly.
“From the day you were born, you have been my greatest pride.”
His words made Alice smile.
“You were not just the heir of Way Co. You were my precious daughter first.”
The guests applauded.
Alice felt her heart fill with happiness.
She looked around the room.
Her father was there, Her boyfriend Ethan was there even her best friend Sophia was there.
The people she trusts the most
Then the video changed.
The music stopped.
The smile on Alice’s face slowly fade
The next image appeared.
A picture of her, But something was wrong.
The hall became silent....too silent
Another picture appeared then another.
Whispers began spreading through the crowd.
“What is this?”
“Is that really Alice?”
Alice stared at the screen, confused and frozen.
“No…”
Her voice trembled.
“That’s not real.”
The images had been edited carefully, made to look like Alice had been involved with different men and situations that could destroy her reputation.
Her face had been placed into false scenes.
Her name was being dragged through the mud.
The same people who had been praising her moments ago were now looking at her with disgust.
“Alice Way?”
“I never expected this from her.”
“How embarrassing.”
"She's a little sl*t, behind does innocent eyes"
Her breathing became unsteady.
She turned toward her father.
“Dad, please. Look at me. Those pictures are fake.”
Cornel’s expression had changed completely.
The warmth from moments ago was gone.
“Alice…”
The disappointment in his voice made her heart ache.
“I swear I didn’t do this,” she pleaded. “You know me.”
Before Cornel could respond, Sophia stepped forward.
Her expression was full of sadness.
Almost believable.
“Alice…”
Alice looked at her.
“Sophia, tell them. Tell them you know this isn’t me.”
The room went quiet.
Sophia lowered her eyes.
“I wanted to protect you.”
Alice frowned.....“What?”
Sophia sighed.
“I warned you so many times.”
The words caused Alice’s heart to stop......“Warned me about what?”
Sophia looked at the guests.
“I told her that she needed to be more careful. That people would use her position against her. But she never listened.”
Alice stared at her in disbelief......“Sophia… what are you doing?”
“I didn’t want to say anything because you were my friend,” Sophia continued, pretending to struggle. “But I can’t keep lying anymore.”
The crowd watched in silence.
“She always told me not to worry. She said no one could question her because she was Alice Way.”
Alice felt cold. Every word was a lie a perfectly created lie.
Then Ethan stepped forward.
The man she loved.
His eyes looked hurt.
Broken.
“Alice…”
She looked at him desperately......“Ethan, please.”
He shook his head....“I wanted to believe you.”
Her eyes widened......“You do believe me.”
But Ethan looked away.....“The evidence…”
“No.”
Alice stepped back.....“You too?”
Ethan looked heartbroken.
“I don’t know who you are anymore.”
Those words shattered her.
Alice turned back to her father....“Dad…”
Her voice broke, pleading.....“Please. I’m your daughter. Believe me.”
For a moment, Cornel looked at her.
But instead of reaching for her hand, he turned away.
“The Way family has been humiliated tonight.”
Alice felt tears fall.
Not because of the pictures.
Not because of the guests.
But because the person she wanted to believe her the most had chosen not to.
The birthday girl who walked into the hall as a princess…Was now standing there like a stranger.
- Writer
