Violet was a bundle of nerves, and tomorrow night seemed like an eternity away to her. She knew all


    too well what Quintessa had in mind, and the mere thought of the uing events sent shivers down


    her spine.


    Taking a deep breath, she turned to Reuben, her voiceced with urgency. "Reuben, Quintessa is your


    responsibility tomorrow. Make sure you take good care of her and bring her back safe and sound."


    Reuben, puzzled by Violet''s anxiety, nodded. "Don''t worry, Violet. I''ll make sure Quinn is alright."


    Violet emphasized each word with grave intensity, "You must bring her back unharmed."


    Reuben, a bit taken aback, acknowledged with a firm nod, "Yeah, I''ll protect Quinn, no matter what."


    At 8 pm the next evening, Reuben pulled up in his car to pick up Quintessa.


    Quintessa eyed his ride and thought to herself, "Thisd''s got some serious cash!"


    She hadn''t paid much attention to Reuben before, but now that she did, she realized that despite his


    shyness, he was well-mannered and humble - the product of good upbringing and, no doubt, a well-off


    family.


    As Quintessa didn''t have an invite to the Lott family''s grand soirée, she had nned to sneak in, but


    now, with Reuben by her side, she could waltz in with her head held high.


    To her, Reuben was a godsend.


    When Reuben saw Quintessa, his cheeks flushed with color. "Quinn, you look stunning!"


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Quintessa was dressed to kill in a strapless ck gown, with a thigh-high slit revealing her graceful


    legs that seemed to shimmer as she moved.


    Flipping her hair, Quintessa teased, "Well, that''s because I''ve always been this gorgeous."


    Reuben chuckled and hurried to open the car door for her.


    On the drive, Quintessa probed Reuben, "With your family background, why choose acting?"


    Reuben spoke earnestly, "I love acting, but my family''s against it. After college, my dad made it clear: If


    I pursue acting, I''d be on my own, and I can''t count on using the family name. Being young and defiant,


    I told him I''d make it without their help."


    Listening to Reuben''s tale, Quintessa envied him. Even in opposition, his parents still cared about him.


    He''d grown up in a warm, loving home - he probably didn''t know how cruel the world could be. "You''ll


    make it," she said.


    "Thanks for believing in me, Quinn. I''ll keep pushing."


    Arriving at the hotel, Reuben was the picture of chivalry as he opened the car door and helped


    Quintessa out.


    As they entered the g, she instructed him, "Reuben, no matter what happens tonight, stay out of it.


    Don''t ask questions."


    Reuben was confused, "Quinn?"


    He looked at Quintessa''s face and felt a pang of concern.


    Inside, the scene was one of opulence - a frilly and frivolous atmosphere filled with chitchat and the


    scent of perfume.


    Quintessa scanned the crowd and locked onto a target, with her lips curling into a sly smile.


    "Find a ce to chill, and we''ll head out together after the party," she said.


    Just as Reuben started to protest, he was cut off by Quintessa as she released his arm and glided


    away, her presencemanding like a warrior on the battlefield. Jerome wasworking with


    executives when a seductive voice pierced the air, "Jerome."


    His name was drawn out, so sweet and alluring that it sent a shiver through Jerome''s spine. His hand


    holding the champagne ss trembled - that voice was his siren''s call.