The atmosphere in the Sterling Gala changed the moment the Blackwood Twins re-entered the ballroom.
Before, they were just intimidating guests.
Now, they looked like predators on a rampage.
Kaelen Blackwood walked in first. He wasn't wearing his tie. His top button was undone. And most shockingly, he was clutching a Pearl-White Suit Jacket in his hand like it was the most precious diamond in the world.
His eyes—usually tired and dead—were wide, manic, and glowing with terrifying energy.
Kieran Blackwood walked beside him, his face cold as ice, scanning every single face in the crowd.
"Find him," Kaelen growled, his voice low but carrying a dangerous weight. "Find the boy who owns this jacket."
The music didn't stop, but the guests did. Everyone froze as the Twins marched through the crowd.
Kieran grabbed a waiter by the shoulder. "Who was wearing a white suit tonight?"
The waiter trembled, dropping his tray. Crash. "I... I don't know, sir! Many people! Please!"
Kieran pushed him aside and moved to the next person.
Gabriel Cross stepped forward, trying to look confident.
"Kieran? Kaelen? What is going on? Is there a problem?"
Kaelen turned to Gabriel. He sniffed the air near Gabriel.
Alcohol. Cheap perfume. Sweat.
"Disgusting," Kaelen sneered, shoving Gabriel out of his way. "Move."
Gabriel stumbled back, his ego shattered in seconds.
The Twins moved like a storm, tearing through the party. They checked every corner, every shadow.
But the owner of the white jacket was nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, at the Mansion Entrance
Elian was shivering.
He had run straight from the garden to the valet parking area, his heart pounding so hard he thought it would explode. He was wearing only his thin silk shirt. The night breeze was freezing.
"Elian!"
Noah came running out, followed by Adrian and Grandfather Arthur.
"Where have you been?" Adrian gasped, taking off his own red velvet jacket and wrapping it around Elian's trembling shoulders. "And where is your jacket?"
"I... I lost it," Elian lied through chattering teeth. "I felt sick. Please, can we go home? Now?"
He looked back at the mansion doors. He could hear the commotion inside. He knew they were coming.
Grandfather Arthur saw the terror in Elian's eyes. He didn't ask questions. He turned to the driver.
"Bring the car around. Immediately."
The long black Sterling limousine pulled up. Noah practically lifted Elian inside with one arm.
"Go," Declan (who had joined them) ordered the driver. "Fast."
The car sped away, disappearing into the night just seconds before the mansion doors burst open.
The Ballroom Entrance
Kaelen and Kieran stood on the steps of the mansion.
They were ten seconds too late.
All they saw were the taillights of a black limousine fading into the darkness.
Kaelen gripped the white jacket so tight his knuckles turned white. The scent—Vanilla and Rain—was still there, but the boy was gone.
"He escaped," Kaelen whispered. The calm silence in his head was starting to crack. The migraine was threatening to return if he didn't find the source of the scent soon.
Kieran adjusted his glasses. He looked at the valet.
"Who just left?" Kieran asked calmly. Too calmly.
The valet gulped. "That... that was the Sterling Family, sir."
"The Sterlings," Kieran repeated. A slow, calculating smirk appeared on his face.
Kaelen lifted the jacket to his face again, inhaling deeply to keep his sanity intact.
"The Sterlings have four sons," Kieran noted, his computer-like brain recalling the data instantly.
"Declan, the CEO. Adrian, the actor. Noah, the athlete..."
Kieran paused, his eyes gleaming in the dark.
"...And the youngest. The failure. Elian."
"I don't care which one it is," Kaelen growled, his eyes burning blue in the dark. "I want him. If I have to burn down the Sterling Mansion to find him, I will."
The hunt wasn't over.
It had just found a target.