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The Grand Mansion Rooftop
The air on the rooftop of the Grand Mansion was thick, not just with the scent of expensive perfume and night-blooming jasmine, but with a tension you could practically see shimmering above the crystal dance floor. Below a canopy of fairy lights, amidst a crowd dressed in designer silks and tailored suits—an atmosphere of breathtaking, untouchable wealth—stood Selina and Han.
Selina wore a stunning, peach gown, its satin fabric flowing like liquid wealth, but tonight, it felt like a cage. Han, sharp in a midnight-blue suits, was the picture of aristocratic anger. The music had stuttered to a halt, leaving an unnatural, ringing silence.
Suddenly, it happened.
Han's hand cracked across Selina's cheek. The sound was sharp, brutal.
Selina stood frozen, an emotional statue. No flinch, no scream—only silent, crystalline tears stormed down her face, carving paths through her makeup. A unified gasp rippled through the stunned guests. Han's eyes were burning, two pits of furious anger.
Then, a force of nature appeared. Selina's mother, a woman draped in a severe, black velvet dress that screamed 'power,' surged through the crowd. She reached them, her shock morphing instantly into pure, venomous rage.
"Han! How dare you!" she spat, her voice dangerously low.
Han didn't flinch. He stood perfectly still, his jaw locked.
Her eyes turned to her daughter. She can't endure her daughter crying face...
Selina's mother grabbed her daughter's arm. "Everything between you and Selina ends here. Now."
Selina was still lost in the shock, unable to hear her surroundings, a puppet being dragged away.
"Don't take decisions in a rush! Let's talk to them, what happened!" A new voice, sharp and commanding—Han's grandmother—cut through.
Selina's mother scoffed, a sound of utter disgust. "Your grandson slapped my daughter! Even if she had burned this mansion down, he had no right! I will not allow it." Her eyes snapped to Jannet, Han's mother, who stood nearby, pale and worried. Selina's mother raised a brow, a cold, calculated strike. "Everything ends here. Not just their relationship, but also our future collaboration, too."
Jannet's eyes widened in horror. She whispered, "That won't happen. I won't allow it to happen." She turned to reach Han, but he had already stormed out the opposite side of the rooftop.
Meanwhile, Jake's father, Robert, and Gabriella's father, Frederick, arrived. They saw the lingering, electric tension. "What happened?" Frederick asked Jannet.
Jannet was distraught. "I'm also confused… I cannot believe my own eyes. Sorry, don't ask me anything." She turned, following the formidable Grandma.
🧐 The Observers
From a shadowed corner, Raina and Felix watched the entire spectacle.
"This drama is more interesting than your birthday party," Felix mocked, leaning against a pillar.
Raina snatched a muffin and stuffed it into his mouth. "Stop it." She walked away, her face a mask of cold observation. Felix, chewing slowly, his eyes narrowed. He was thinking something deeper than the surface drama.
Minutes later, Raina found Selina about to step into a sleek black car. Raina grabbed her hand.
Selina turned, her face vacant. "Don't try to convince me. And don't talk for him."
Raina stood cold. "Are you giving up that easily? I know how much you like him."
Selina gave a small, painful smile of disappointment, removing Raina's hand. "Raina, I need time. I don't want to talk now. And sorry, because of me, your party is ruined." She got into the car. The chauffeur started the engine, driving the shattered pair away.
🫂 Brother's Keeper
High up on the grand balcony of Raina's Mansion, Han stood alone, staring out at the city lights. A hand touched his shoulder. He turned, and when he saw Gabriella, he pulled her into a tight, desperate hug.
"Sorry," he mumbled against her hair. "I apologize for her."
Gabriella stood straight after the hug, her face serious. "Why did you end up with Selina because of me?"
"Why are you asking me that?" Han's anger flared again. "How could she do that to you?!"
Gabriella's eyes wavered. She hadn't expected this intensity, this raw care. It confused her. "But—"
Han interrupted, his eyes fiery. "Gabriella, not her. I don't allow anyone to harm you. If they did, I won't leave them." He stared straight into her eyes.
Gabriella melted. This was the fierce, protective brotherly love she had never experienced. "Because you are my sister," he continued, his voice firm, "whatever others say—that you aren't my biological sister—even though…" He stopped.
"I heard what Selina said before," Gabriella asked softly. "Do you have a sister? Where is she now? What happened to her?"
Han's eyes filled with tears, but he fought them back, controlling his sorrow before they could fall. He turned away. "She deceased," he said, his voice low and broken. "Maybe she is one of the stars in the sky."
Gabriella was shocked. She hadn't known he carried this pain. She didn't press him. She looked up at the night sky. "Don't worry. She is with us." She smiled little. "She is watching everything from the sky."
Suddenly, Gabriella hugged Han. He was shocked, then hugged her back fiercely.
She whispered, "Now onwards, I am your sister."
Everything happened for a reason, Gabriella thought. If I hadn't been bullied by Erica, and hadn't walked the toughest path in my life, I wouldn't have met a gem like you. I'm glad that I have a brother like you. A tear finally escaped, storming down her cheek.
Han whispered back, "Whatever others say, you are my sister." And I won't allow Jake to get close with you, at whatever cost it takes, he thought, a cold resolve settling in his heart.
👀 The Stare Down
Back on the rooftop, Raina snatched a wine glass from Felix. Felix asked,"What happened?".
"I'm tired," she rolled her eyes. "She isn't listening to me."Raina muttered. Raina drink a sip of wine...
Felix chuckled, his eyes narrowed. "Did you sip this drink?"
"Yes...Didn't you ?" Raina narrowed her eyes. Felix smile curved to one side....Raina stared him for answer...Felix chuckled.."i don't".
A girl waved at Raina. "I have to go." Raina walked away.
Felix took another drink from a passing waiter. His assistant, Rex, approached. "Does your coat size fit you right?" Rex asked.
"Yes, little oversized, but okay."
Rex chuckled. "What I do, every time I have to carry an extra attire for you."
Felix gave a mocking smile. "But it's not my fault this time ." His eyes turned to the entrance, scanning the crowd.
Gabriella entered the party area. She paused, she was stunning in the opulent crowd. Felix stared at her intensely. His smile curved to one side—a predator's smirk.
Rex understood. "You aren't usually splurging your time on girls, but why now?"
Felix gave a sly half-grin.
From across the room, Bianca—Raina's mother—was talking to a client. She noticed Felix's intense gaze. Her eyes followed his line of sight. She saw Gabriella, and her smile vanished. She felt a strange pang. Then, she saw Raina standing behind Gabriella, talking with friends. Bianca smiled, reassured. Felix must be staring at Raina. She turned back to her conversation.
🚬 The Hunter
In the Garden, Jake was on his phone, smoking, his one hand in his pocket. His golden hair dazzled in the light.
"Where have you disappeared for so long?"
He turned. Elisabeth. She was a fiery presence in a white dress. She grabbed the cigarette from his mouth and crushed it under her heel. Jake's jaw tightened.
"Don't treat me as a puppet. If you want a man like a puppet, ask your dad. I'm not that kind of man." He tugged his suit jacket while passing her.
Elisabeth smiled, furious, turning to face him. "So, it's true. Are you into a girl?" she hissed.
Jake smiled knowingly, turned and leaned toward her. "You are right."
"NO!" Elisabeth shouted.
Jake smiled mockingly. "Why are you shouting? Can't you accept the truth?"
"Unbelievable!" she panicked. "I was only faraway for a year! Then Her… now who?"
Jake leaned closer, whispering into her ear, "Do you wanna know who is that?"
Elisabeth grinned, ready. Jake glanced into her eyes, gave a knowing smile, and walked away, Elisabeth following close behind.
💋 The Takeover
Minutes later, back on the rooftop, Gabriella was searching for her friend. "Where is Dona gone?" she whispered.
From the entrance, Jake saw her. His eyes locked onto Gabriella through the surging crowd. He barged in, moving straight for her.
Gabriella got a message from Han: I'm going back. She replied: As your wish. Han asked: Did Raina invite you here? Gabriella smiled: No, my father and Her mother are business partners, so I came with my father. Han: Is everything alright? Gabriella: Yeah.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed hers, forcefully. She panicked. Before she knew what was happening, someone turned her around.
It was Jake. He was staring at her intensely. Without warning, he leaned in and kissed her. Deeply. Emotionally.
Gabriella's eyes widened. Her heart pounded a frantic, deafening rhythm.
A loud gasp swept through the crowd.
Robert and Frederick, Jake and Gabriella's fathers, were shocked. They saw the passionate kiss and felt a strange tug, a disturbing familiarity. They began pushing through the crowd, wanting to confirm the faces of the couple wearing attire similar to their children's.
From her corner, Raina watched, cold and unmoving. Felix was confused, his eyes narrowed, locked onto the kissing couple. Elisabeth arrived at the entrance and froze, stunned to see Jake kissing a girl.
Gabriella finally realized. She pushed him hard.
Jake smirked, a touch of affection in his eyes. Gabriella blinked, confused by his strange behavior.
"Have you been drinking beer?" he asked playfully. "It's tastier than before when I drink it inside your mouth."
Gabriella's heart hammered. She tried to push him again. "No! Move!"
Jake pulled her closer. He whispered a chilling truth in her ear: "You have no option, babe. Your true identity video is still with me. Act along with me."
He leaned in again, kissed her, and spun her around while doing it. As he spun her, his eyes found Elisabeth. He gave a mocking smile, showing how much he was enjoying the kiss.
From the crowd, Felix watched. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Rex, his assistant, scoffed. "Sometimes a plan will fail before its execution."
Felix didn't flinch. He gave a knowing smile. "Maybe what you see sometimes is a mislead." His eyes were still on Jake and Gabriella.
Elisabeth, at the entrance, was furious. She clenched her fists until her knuckles were white. She whispered, her eyes darkening with a terrifying pledge, "I won't allow this anymore. You are only mine."
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To be Continued....
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