Chapter 9: The Masquerade Begins
The night of the Masquerade Ball arrived like the first crack of thunder before a storm—beautiful, electric, and full of danger.
Charles stood in front of the mirror of his dorm room, adjusting the deep black Venetian mask over his face. His tux was sharp, tailored, the obsidian fabric catching light in smooth waves. He looked the part of a king in waiting. But beneath the surface, his blood ran hot. Not just from anticipation, but from something deeper.
Tonight wasn’t just about charm or sex appeal. This was a battleground disguised in elegance.
> [Event: Masquerade Ball - "All Bonds Vulnerable, All Targets Active"] [Bonus Objective: Unmask a Hidden Rival] [Bonus Reward: Exclusive Command Word – "Kneel"]
Roxy had already texted him twice: "If I find you flirting with anyone else, I’m going to leave wearing your shirt and nothing else."
Isabella sent a single message: "I won’t say I’m jealous. But I’m watching."
And Olivia?
She hadn’t responded at all.
> [Olivia Grayson – Emotion Sync: Turbulent] [Suspicion Rising: 48%]
He would need to handle that soon.
But first—he had to survive tonight.