CHAPTER 78

Ariana’s POV

Shit. My cover is blown.

They were coming to the door. I had to think of something—fast.

I stepped away, pressing my back against the wall, my heart hammering. C'mon. This is the right time to work.

I concentrated, reaching deep into the part of me that Harley had been training—the part that let me disappear.

The door creaked open.

Seline stepped out, scanning the hallway with sharp, calculating eyes. Her gaze swept right over me, lingering for only a few seconds before shifting to the other direction.

“See anyone?” the man asked.

She hesitated. “No,” she said slowly. “But I know someone was here.”

He scoffed. “Don’t worry. We’ll find them. And when we do—” He dragged a finger across his throat in a slashing motion.

Little did they know, I was only a few steps away.

It worked.

I was invisible.

Harley had been training me for weeks, but I had never managed to hold it this long. Now, standing just feet away from two people who wouldn’t hesitate to kill me, I was beyond grateful that I could.

The man exhaled and rolled his shoulders. Then his form shimmered, his features twisting and warping until he no longer looked like Damien. His true face emerged—sharp, cruel, unfamiliar.

“I have to leave,” he said. “Whoever was here won’t have gone far.” He smirked. “You’ve done well so far.”

Seline kissed him, slow and deep. I fought the urge to gag.

“Everyone sees me as innocent,” she murmured against his lips. “Except for one.”

His expression hardened. “Who dares to doubt my lover’s charm?”

Seline's lips twisted. “Ariana.”

I felt my stomach clench.

The man’s fingers flexed at his sides. “Then why is she still breathing?”

“I hold some secrets of hers,” Seline said smugly. “So I have her in my control.”

I barely had time to process that before Seline sighed and traced a finger along his jaw. “You should find a way to stay here, too.”

He smirked. “Already taken care of. My plan is set. You just need to step out with some other women tomorrow, and it’ll all be in place.”

Seline’s eyes gleamed. “Then I will.”

She pulled him into another kiss—this one more passionate, more drawn out. I rolled my eyes, resisting the urge to groan.

When they finally parted, she whispered against his lips, “Jordan. Don’t ever leave me. Ok?”

Finally, a name to match the face.

Jordan smirked and brushed a strand of hair from Seline’s cheek. “You know I wouldn’t dare.”

She smiled, but there was something sharp in her eyes. “Good.”

He pulled away and took a step back. “I have to go,” he said. “But tomorrow… everything will be set in motion.”

Seline exhaled, looking satisfied. “I’ll play my part.”

With that, Jordan turned and disappeared down the hallway, his form melting into the shadows.

I barely dared to breathe as Seline stood there, her eyes still scanning the area.

Then, she whispered to herself, “If it was Ariana who was here… I’d expose her immediately.”

A chill ran down my spine.

Her fingers curled into fists.

“And I’d kill her myself.”

I stayed completely still, forcing my breath to remain even. After another agonizing moment, Seline sighed and finally walked away.

I didn’t move until her footsteps faded completely. Then, slowly, I allowed myself to breathe.

What the hell did I just witness?

I clenched my jaw and looked down at my phone, still recording in my hand.

At least now, I had proof.

——-

The morning sun cast long shadows over the party grounds as I leaned against the balcony, watching the servants clean up the mess from last night. Shattered glass, torn decorations, and spilled drinks—traces of the chaos being wiped away as if it had never happened.

I tightened my grip on the railing, my thoughts still tangled in what I had seen. Seline. Jordan. Damien.

I barely had time to pull my expression into something neutral before a familiar voice cut through my thoughts.

“Ariana.”

I turned slowly, my heart steady, my face unreadable.

Seline stood there, her perfect smile in place, her eyes sharp despite the warmth she pretended to wear.

"I heard you attended the party last night,” she said, tilting her head slightly.

“That’s surprising, considering how much you insisted you weren’t interested. What changed your mind?"

I met her gaze, my pulse calm. "I guess I was just curious," I said lightly, keeping my voice even. "Thought I’d see what all the excitement was about."

Something flickered in her expression—something calculating. But then she laughed softly, resting a delicate hand on the railing beside me.

“Curiosity?” she echoed, amused. “How interesting.”

She was studying me. Watching for any cracks, any slip-ups.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" she asked, her tone light, but I wasn’t fooled.

I smiled, slow and deliberate. "Oh, it was very entertaining. How come I didn’t see you.”

“Were you looking for me?”

“Aren’t you the center of attention?”

Seline laughed softly. She placed a hand over her chest, feigning modesty. "Oh, you flatter me, Ariana," she said sweetly. "But I actually stepped out for a bit. Made a few… friends along the way."

I held back the urge to roll my eyes. I already knew exactly who she had been with and what she had been doing.

Seline’s gaze sharpened slightly. "But you, on the other hand, didn’t stay long, did you? I heard you were only there to meet Elara.”

My fingers twitched, but I kept my expression neutral. I couldn’t afford to say anything that would give myself away.

Before I could answer, Elara’s voice cut in smoothly.

"Ariana was with me all through," she said firmly, stepping beside me. "She saved me from that awful situation, and after that, we stuck together the entire night."

Seline’s eyes flickered toward Elara, her lips parting slightly in surprise. For a brief moment, I saw suspicion waver in her expression before she masked it with another charming smile.

“Well, I suppose I’ll see you later. I have… things to attend to.”

I nodded, watching as she turned and walked away, her poise as flawless as ever.

The moment she was out of earshot, I exhaled quietly and turned to Elara. “Let’s go.”

She didn’t hesitate, following me as I led her away from the courtyard and back toward my room.

Once I was sure Seline wasn’t anywhere nearby, I looked at Elara. “Thanks for that. You didn’t have to step in, but you did.”

Elara shrugged. “It’s fine. Even though, honestly, I don’t understand what’s going on between you and Seline. You’ve never really liked her, have you?”

I sighed, choosing my words carefully. “I just… suspect her behavior. I don’t want you to think I’m lying about anything.”

Elara frowned but said nothing as we reached my room. I shut the door behind us and pulled out my phone. “There’s something you need to see.”

I tapped the screen, pulling up the video I had recorded the previous night.

Elara’s eyes widened as she watched Seline kissing that man—Jordan. And then she stiffened when his form shifted into Damien’s.

Her hands flew to her mouth. “No way.”

I nodded grimly.

She kept watching, listening to their conversation. When it finally ended, she turned to me, her face pale. “I… I can’t believe this. She’s been deceiving everyone.”

“She’s not as innocent as she wants people to think.” I locked my phone and slipped it back into my pocket. “And now you understand why I don’t trust her.”

Elara sat down heavily on the edge of the bed, still processing. “All this time… I actually thought she was just a harmless woman.”

I sighed. “I didn’t want to involve you in this, and I definitely don’t want to put you in danger.”

Elara straightened, her expression firm. “Ariana, I want to help. You’re my sister. You’ve always looked out for me. Now, let me do the same for you.”

I hesitated, knowing that dragging her into this would only make things more dangerous.

But looking at her now, I knew she had already made up her mind.

I nodded slowly. “Alright. But we have to be careful. If Seline finds out we know the truth… she won’t hesitate to get rid of us.”