Louis dragged the young man who was fighting with Shera earlier to introduce him to Lucy and Zaria. "This is my son, Dylan. Dylan, this is Lucy Roatta, the CEO of Twilight. This is her assistant, Zaria."

"They are beautiful." Dylan greeted the women while looking into Zaria's eyes, making everyone else speechless. Was he saying that the women were beautiful, or complementing Zaria's eyes?

"Hello, Zaria. Would you like me to introduce you to some of my friends?" He winked at Zaria.

"No, you can't. She is taken." Lucy responded before anyone else could say a word.

"Aren't you protective of your assistant?" Shera smiled as though she had just uncovered a huge secret.

Lucy ignored her tone. "It's not every day that I get a capable assistant. I wouldn't want her ditching her career because she was lured away by a womanizer."

"Did you just call me that in the presence of Beautiful Zaria? My feelings are hurt." Dylan laughed humorously. He looked nothing like a heartbroken man.

"Don't worry, my opinion of you didn't change." Zaria smiled.

"It didn't?" His eyes lit up in relief.

"No. I didn't consider you before, and neither do I consider you now." Zaria shattered his heart, making the whole group laugh at his expense.

She peeked at Lucy and wondered whether she had been too childish. Was that too rude?

In response, Lucy smiled to signify that it was alright. If she didn't do that, Dylan might have continued bugging her, thinking that he would have a chance if he was more persistent.

"Ms. Roatta, someone would like to see you." A bartender whispered to Lucy.

"Zaria, I'll be back soon. Have fun while you wait for me." Lucy instructed. "Shera, could I trouble you to show my assistant around?" She added as she followed the bartender.

"I will take good care of her." A sinister smile graced Shera's lips, making Zaria uncertain. She was no longer sure whether she wanted to be taken care of.

"Mother, Louis, you can tend to the other guests. I'll take care of Miss Roatta." The woman waved at her mother and stepfather before leading Zaria away.

"My surname is Williams." She corrected Shera as they walked away.

"Oh. I thought you used your mother's surname." Shera smiled.

"She's my boss." She wondered whether Shera had super eyes that enabled her to know that she was Lucy's daughter without being told about it.

"I once hired my sister as my assistant." She countered, as though that could prove a point.

"I don't think it's part of your business, is it?" Zaria felt herself start to lose her temper from Shera's taunts. She was nothing like the tabloids portrayed her.

"No, it's not." Shera took a step onto another hallway, making Zaria realize that they were quite some distance away from the banquet hall.

She turned to leave, only for her path to be blocked by Shera.

"What do you want?" She asked, wondering whether anyone would notice their absence.

"I have a bad feeling about you, Miss Roatta." She scrutinized her.

"Miss Williams." She corrected, not intending to let the other woman intimidate her.

"Yeah, that too." Shera crossed her arms. "I don't know why your family is here but if you prove me right, you will not get away."

She left after threatening her, making Zaria frown. Why would Shera threaten her? They didn't even know each other on personal terms!

She turned around to walk back to the banquet hall and bumped into someone—the mayor's son.

"Don't mind my step sister. She knows nothing about making friends the normal way." He explained, making it apparent that he had overheard her conversation with Shera.

She nodded and brushed past him to leave.

"Zaria," He called after her.

She turned to face him, only because it would be rude to ignore him.

"Don't believe anyone's words. I'm not really a womanizer." He explained.

"Of course, you're not." She smiled.

He was uncertain whether she really believed him or she was being sarcastic. It was more plausible to think that she was being sarcastic.

"I really mean it." He quit trying to explain himself when she looked like she was about to leave.

"Would you like to take a walk? You may need it after encountering her." He offered.

"No, thank you." She smiled. "Why don't you offer Natalie instead? She will be here soon." She directly let him know that she knew his intentions, as well as his interest in Natalie.

As expected, he was shocked. She walked away before he could gather himself and come up with a new lie.

…

"Who wants to see me?" Lucy asked the bartender who had reported it to her.

"It's a young man. I do not know his name." The bartender responded. "He is over there, near the giant bouquet of lilies."

Lucy nodded and walked over, wondering who it was. She had a bad feeling about this.

"Hi, Lucy." A young man emerged from behind the lilies just as she neared it.

Jaime Fort.

Of course, it had to be someone of this sort. No wonder she had a bad feeling. She darted her eyes towards the drinks zone.

"Looking for Zaria? Don't worry. I haven't laid my hands on her—yet." Jaime laughed smugly.

Lucy was amused by his audacity. "What makes you think there is a chance for you to do that?"

"The fact that you are here." Jaime closed in on her. "How do you think Zaria would feel if I revealed to her who you really are?"

"Ecstatic, of course." Lucy crossed her arms. "I don't know what kind of drugs you are on but don't you dare cross my path." She warned and turned to leave. How annoying. She must be too lenient lately-so much that losers were starting to think they could threaten her. Someone had to die. Tonight. He was digging his own grave anyway.

She went to the restroom, and after ensuring that there was no one else around, she composed a text message.

[Jaime Fort is here. He cannot leave the banquet hall alive.]

She sent over a picture and waited until she received a [Yes, ma'am] As usual, she erased the chat records by hacking into the other party's phone. After cleaning all traces of herself, she left the ladies room nonchalantly while trying to hide her turmoil.

Between Zaria and Jaime, one person had to die tonight. It all depended on whose side was more efficient. She had to protect her daughter, but sticking by her side would only make the latter suspicious.

…

The banquet proceeded in full swing and soon, Louis pulled his bride onto the dance floor.

"Would you like to dance with me?" A familiar voice spoke beside her.

She frowned. It was Dylan. She thought he had given up his antics and if she was not dreaming, she had seen Natalie a while ago. Wasn't he afraid of being rejected by her for his playfulness? Of course, he didn't have half a chance with Devonte in the picture but he should at least create a good impression of himself.

"It's just a dance." He held his hand out to her.

She realized that people were starting to dart their eyes over at them. Would it really be alright to ignore the mayor's son in such a public setting? The mayor wouldn't be mad at her, would he? She took a deep breath and placed her palm in his.

Before he could pull her onto the dance floor, someone grabbed her away in a flash.

"Hey!" Dylan exploded and was about to yell at the other party when he saw him clearly. It was Desmond Fort.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there." Desmond pulled Zaria onto the dance floor, ignoring Dylan.

"Did you dump your date?" Zaria asked him with a chuckle.

"She dumped me first. I thought you would be happy to see me." He pretended to be hurt.

"Of course I am." She was trying her best to remain sane, okay? He looked insanely handsome tonight, wearing a black tux with a white shirt. One would think he had dressed up for her instead of the mayor's banquet. He even had a new haircut! She was using her all to stop herself from kissing the breath out of him right away.

"Damned that Dylan." He cursed after giving the latter a smug smile. "He was head over heels for Natalie when she was my fiancée. Now that we are no longer engaged, he goes after my girlfriend instead?"

Zaria laughed at the thought of it. It was as though Dylan was specifically attracted to the woman beside Desmond no matter who she was.

….

Lucy rejected everyone who asked her for a dance—which was practically half of the male population at the banquet. They couldn't help it when she looked so ravishing and elegant, and had no man beside her.

She sighed in relief when she saw Desmond take Zaria's hand and lead her to the dance floor.

"Would you like to…"

"No." She rejected the potential dance partner before he could complete his request, then felt a chill down her stomach when she recognized his voice.

"Theodore?"