Chapter 3 A Grand Gift
1090 Words
Smoke billowed from the car in front of me.
He stared at the rear end of the car, which was now sticking up awkwardly, and took a slow, deep breath. Then, his cold gaze drifted in my direction, icy and sharp like a blade cutting into me.
"Ma'am, please move your car and step out." His assistant, Henry Wright, knocked on my window, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Oh... okay." I adjusted my expression and stepped out of the car, feeling a bit nervous.
But then Henry's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped in shock as he looked at me. "You..."
"Ahem!" His boss' sharp cough interrupted Henry, his eyes darting quickly to my feet and then to the scarf wrapped around my neck.
For a second, I thought he had spotted the wolf hiding near my feet. Before I could make sense of it, he tilted his chin up slightly, crossing his arms over his chest. His tall frame towered over me, casting a shadow that swallowed me whole.
"You hate my car?"
"No, sir." I felt a little guilty but quickly met his gaze, showing a friendly smile.
"Then do you hate me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. His voice was heavy and serious.
"Of course not!" I stepped closer to him, my hand brushing over his shoulder as I spoke. Surprisingly, he didn't seem to mind my touch.
I smiled, letting my fingers trail down his solid chest and slip toward the pocket where the invitation lay. Swiftly, I pulled it out.
"I just wanted to leave a lasting impression on such a handsome man like you. Don't worry. I'll cover the cost of your car." I asked Henry for a pen, and to my surprise, he handed it over respectfully.
Quickly, I scribbled down a string of noticeable digits and my name.
"Here's my contact info. Don't forget to call me, okay?"
I blew him a playful kiss, and then turned on my heel and walked away, making sure to recite the password from the invitation to the staff before he could step inside.
The staff member's expression turned respectful. "May I ask what your relationship is with Mr. Silvers?"
"I'm his fiancée," I replied with a confident, graceful smile, striding into the ballroom under the shocked stares of the staff.
I didn't even realize they had referred to him as Mr. Silvers.
The main stars of tonight's event, Ivy Silvers and Noah Campbell, were happily chatting in the crowd. I grabbed a glass of champagne, taking my time to observe my surroundings.
'It's time to deliver the gift I've prepared just for you.'
I slipped into a work uniform I'd stashed away, carrying the tampered food to the backstage control room.
"Hey there, the supervisor sent me to bring you some snacks."
The two workers gladly took the snacks and drinks, and I smiled as I exited the room, hiding in the nearby equipment closet.
It didn't take long before I saw them both clutching their bellies and rushing out of the control room.
I quickly stepped back inside, pulled out the USB drive I'd prepared, and uploaded its contents. My hands trembled with excitement as I set everything in motion.
Once everything was ready, I shut off all the lights, plunging the entire banquet into darkness.
"What's going on? Noah, according to the schedule, our big moment hasn't even started yet! Who's screwing things up? Rox, go check it out!"
"Ivy, calm down..."
Before the panic could spread, I turned on the large screen, starting the slideshow of Ivy Silvers's steamy photos.
'Oh, there's just so much here. Ms. Silvers sure enjoys some... thrilling hobbies.' Gasps filled the room as people reacted in shock.
"George! You slept with my sister behind my back?"
"William, how could you betray me?"
"Ivy Silvers." Someone stormed toward the stunned Ivy, rage contorting their face. "I thought you were my friend, and yet you slept with my husband? You b***h!"
"No! It's not true!" Ivy cowered behind Noah in terror. "These are all fake! It wasn't me!"
"You expect me to believe that? I'll kill you!"
After a moment of shock, Noah stepped in front of the enraged woman, shielding Ivy. She looked at him, visibly touched.
"Noah, darling, I didn't..."
"Baby, I believe you," Noah said, his voice tender, as he flirted with Ivy, leaving the crowd in stunned silence. But before anyone could fully process it, another voice came from the screen.
"Claire, I still love you. Everything I'm doing is for our future. Just give me a few more years, and I'll have access to the Silvers family's fortune. We'll have everything, I promise. Just give me some time, okay?"
"Really? You still love me, and you're doing this for me?"
"Of course, my love."
"Then can you promise me that after you get the Silvers fortune, you'll come back to me?"
"Of course, darling. I've told you before, you're the one I want to spend my life with..."
The voice belonged to Noah Campbell! The room fell into a stunned silence as everyone stared at the couple in disbelief.
"What did you say?" Ivy shoved Noah away, delivering a stinging slap across his face. "You dared betray me for that b***h Claire?"
"No, no, no! I just didn't want her ruining our engagement. I've ended things with her, baby. You have to believe me!" Noah stammered, desperately trying to explain.
"Shut up!" Ivy screamed, her rage boiling over. "Don't you get it? That b***h is behind all of this! Rox, are you blind or dead? Find that little rat right now! I'm going to kill her!"
When they finally caught me, I felt a pang of regret. I should've run when I had the chance instead of sticking around to watch their chaos unfold.
Ivy slapped me hard, grabbing my hair and snarling, "You b***h! You ruined my engagement!"
Despite the stars dancing in my vision, I smiled. "It's a gift, one you both deserve."
"How dare you!" Ivy bared her fangs in rage, her voice shaking with fury. "For the crime you've committed against me, I could snap your throat right now. No one will save you from the death you deserve!"
Her hand tightened around my throat, her fangs grazing my skin... and then, suddenly, she was thrown across the room, crashing into a table.
I found myself wrapped in a warm embrace, a deep voice growling with danger. "Who gave you permission to harm my fiancée, Ivy Silvers?"
'What?!'
- Writer
