The sky in Starlight City was nothing like Seabreeze Harbor. It snowed here, but not there.


    The moment I stepped off the ne, the cold hit me, and I yanked my scarf up to cover my face. I wanted to surprise Ethan, so I didn''t give him a heads-up.


    I grabbed a cab straight to the vi after leaving the airport. But his car wasn''t there, and no one answered when I rang the doorbell. Was he out?


    If thepany''s on break, where could he be? Maybe at Victor''s?


    It was Christmas, after all.


    Since it was still early, I decided to swing by Broadway Alley. After almost a year away, the ce felt even more deserted. The family that used to live here had moved out. Without the keys to the old house, I just took a look from downstairs and then left.


    After a quick lunch, it hit me: Ethan never liked hanging out at Victor''s for long. If he was going there for a meal, he wouldn''t have gone this early. Could he still be at the office?


    I took another cab to Skyline International Corporation and, after hesitating at the tall building, ducked into a nearby coffee shop instead. I ordered a coffee and sat by the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of him if he left the office. The shop was nearly empty, except for a guy with his back to me, nursing a half-finished cup of ck coffee and ncing out the window now and then, like he was waiting for something.


    After a bit, another guy walked in, headed straight to him, and pulled out a stack of photos from his coat, tossing them on the table.


    "Take a look."


    The guy with his back to me picked up a photo.


    I nced casually and was shocked.


    The person in the photo was Ethan.


    "Drew, is it him?" the guy asked.


    "It''s him! I''d recognize him anywhere."


    Drew O''Neill spoke with a hint of gritted teeth.


    The guy who brought the photos pulled out a chair and sat across from him. He scanned the room cautiously before his gazended on me.


    I took a sip of my coffee, realizing my hands were trembling. I pulled out my earbuds from my bag, put them in my ears, and pretended to listen to music while looking out the window. Only then did the guy look away and ask, "So, what''s the n?"


    Drew answered, "Take him out."


    A chill ran down my spine.


    Drew asked again, "Tonight''s a good opportunity. Did you get the money I asked for?"


    Seth, the guy across from him, patted his chest. "Don''t you trust me?"


    As he spoke, he pulled out a few bills from his coat and fanned them out with his fingers.


    Drew nodded. "Tell the guys to stay sharp tonight. If anyone messes up, I''ll kill him."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    "Don''t worry!" Seth said.


    Drew turned to look at Skyline International Corporation and said coldly, "I want him dead tonight."


    I bit my straw, trying to stay calm, but my mind was racing.


    Just then, my phone rang.


    Seth looked at me, and even Drew turned to nce at me.


    The call was from Ethan.


    I forced myself to stay calm and answered, lowering the volume.


    "Honey, I miss you!" Ethan''s rich, maic voice came through the phone.


    I gripped my phone tightly, looking at the Skyline International Corporation building, my palms sweaty.


    "I miss you too. Come back and spend Christmas with me, okay?"


    Ethan was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Honey, I''m sorry. I have something very important tonight and can''t spend Christmas with you."


    The two guys didn''t speak again. In the quiet coffee shop, only the soft music and my voice on the phone could be heard.


    I said with a bit of resentment, "It''s Christmas. Thepany should have been on holiday long ago. Are you really that busy?"


    Ethan''s voice was soothing and amused. "Once I get off work, I''lle to Seabreeze Harbor to be with you and the kids. Now, turn on the video. I want to see the kids."


    I nced at the two guys across from me and said, "They''re asleep."


    Ethan answered, "Then next time. I have something to do now, so I''ll hang up."


    I quickly said, "Be safe."


    As soon as I finished speaking, the call ended with a beep.


    About five minutester, Ethan came out of the Skyline International Corporation building with Dennis by his side.


    Seth said, "He''s out."


    Ethan and Dennis walked straight towards the parking garage.


    Drew also got up to leave, and Seth hurriedly gathered the photos and bills from the table.


    As they passed by me, a few bills happened to fall at my feet.


    Seth bent down to pick them up, his eyes sliding over my legs in nude tights, and he gave a sleazy smile. "Nice body, babe."


    "Let''s go," Drew urged without looking back.


    Seth quickly scooped up the bills and followed. After they left, I bent down and picked up the bill at my feet.


    It was for the Dreamy Cruise Christmas New Year Extravaganza, a masquerade ball by Unity Emporium. Once famous, thepany had been strugglingtely. Hosting a big party like this seemed like a desperate move to build rtionships and attract investments.


    I tried calling Ethan, but his phone went straight to voicemail. Looking at the ticket again, I made a decision.


    I tucked the ticket away and went shopping. I bought a ck dress, a white fur shawl, and crystal shoes. Then, I hit up the top salon in Starlight City for hair and makeup.


    Standing in front of the mirror, I barely recognized myself. As night fell, I took a cab to the waterfront. The cab stopped, and through the window, I saw the brightly lit cruise ship and heard musicing from it.


    "Ms., are you getting out?" the driver asked when he saw I wasn''t moving.


    I took out eighty dors from my bag and handed it to him. "I''ll get out in a bit."


    The driver took the money and cheerfully said, "Alright."


    Luxury cars arrived one after another at the coast, and more people boarded the cruise ship.


    After a while, a familiar Maybach appeared. Ethan and Dennis got out. Ethan, wearing a mid-length gray coat, unbuttoned, lit a cigarette, exuding a unique masculine charm. They quickly boarded the ship.


    Soon after, I saw Drew and Seth from the coffee shop, apanied by a few others. They boarded the ship shortly after Ethan.


    The brightly lit cruise ship seemed peaceful, but I sensed an inexplicable eeriness, like there was a hidden scent of conspiracy and blood.


    I got out of the cab and walked toward the cruise ship.


    Handing my ticket to the person at the entrance, the man respectfully said, "Wee," and pointed to a box of masks.


    "Ms., please choose a mask you like."


    I picked a purple mask adorned with glittering stones, gold ents, and feathers, giving it a dreamy look.


    Wearing the mask, I walked into the ship''s hall with my head held high. The ball was in full swing, with music ying and couples dancing. Dim lighting and shing colorful lights set the mood. People held wine sses and chatted in small groups.


    Being alone, I caught the attention of several men. Scanning the room, I quickly spotted Ethan. He sat quietly in the left corner, unmasked, holding a wine ss and staring at the dance floor, deep in thought.


    I then noticed Drew and Seth on the right side, far from Ethan, which was a relief.


    Just as I was about to approach Ethan, a man suddenly walked up to me.


    "Ms., may I have this dance?"


    I turned to see a white ghost mask.


    Not wanting to cause any trouble, I forced a smile. "Of course, but I''m not a great dancer."


    "Ms., you''re too modest," the man said with a smile.


    I danced with him, my mind elsewhere.


    Ethan had taught me to dance, and I hadn''t danced with any other man since.


    I kept a polite distance from the man, but he kept trying to get closer.


    "Ms., you smell wonderful," he said.


    I kept an eye on Ethan and the two men, giving the man only brief responses.


    Suddenly, I saw a masked woman approach Ethan.


    Ethan put down his wine ss and led the woman to the dance floor.


    The woman wasn''t tall, so she probably wasn''t Faye.


    Drew and Seth''s attention was also on Ethan, and they seemed to be discussing something.


    "Ms., how about we go somewhere more exciting?" the man suddenly whispered in my ear.


    I stepped back and forced a smile. "Sorry, I''m tired."


    Just then, a waiter passed by, and I grabbed a ss of wine, downing it in one go, and walked towards Drew and Seth.


    Seth stood up, and I pretended to bump into him. He reached out to steady me.


    I rubbed my temples, pretending to be tipsy. "Sorry, I had a bit too much to drink."


    Seth sniffed and gave a lewd smile. "No problem, Ms., let me help you sit down."


    I nodded and pointed to an empty spot in the corner. "Let''s go there; it''s too noisy here."


    Seth helped me over, and whether intentionally or not, he almost pressed against me as he sat me down.


    My fingers brushed against his waist and felt something hard.