Chapter 52 PARTY DISASTER
POW!
The slap snapped Nelly’s head to the side. Her vision blurred for a second before her eyes darkened instantly. She turned just in time to see Giselle’s palm swing again.
POW!
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Giselle screamed.
Nelly froze. She clenched her fist so hard her nails dug into her skin, forcing the fury in her chest to stay buried. The action only made Giselle sneer wider, mocking her restraint.
“How dare you glare at me in front of Erica?” Giselle snarled. “What are you planning, huh?”
She poked Nelly’s forehead, then shoved her hard. Nelly stumbled back, taking the abuse in silence until Giselle grabbed her chin and forced her head up.
“Those eyes of yours,” Giselle muttered, her voice dropping, “they’re disgusting.” Her lips curved. “Plucking them out would be fun. Imagine how pretty they would look in my collection.”
She leaned close, whispering the threat into Nelly’s ear before shoving her away.
“Behave yourself,” Giselle added coldly.
“Don’t let the boss hear about this. I would hate for that pretty little face of yours to get ruined.”
With that, she walked off, her hips swaying deliberately.
Nelly exhaled shakily, sucking in a sharp breath...then froze.
Erica was standing there. Her gaze was fixed on Nelly, unblinking. A chill ran down Nelly’s spine. Had she seen everything? If Giselle lost even a shred of favor from Erica, she would be dead.
“H-hi,” Nelly rushed out, forcing a smile as she moved closer.
“Hm.” Erica sipped her drink slowly.
She had seen everything. Every slap. Every word. Among bullies and murderers, even monsters had hierarchies.
“How long… how long have you been here?” Nelly asked, her voice trembling.
Erica didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes roamed lazily over Nelly like she was something small and breakable.
“You shouldn't let people bully you,” Erica said casually. “You look weak.”
Nelly stiffened. Her skin prickled painfully as she swallowed.
“It’s—it’s not really like that,” she stammered.
Erica smiled. It was dark enough to make goosebumps erupt along Nelly’s arms.
“Of course,” Erica said lightly. “Looking at you, I can tell you would never let anyone bully you.”
The taunt landed hard. Watching as Nelly's lashes dilated.
Erica tipped her head back, staring at the sky. “Do you see the stars?” she murmured. “They tell us everything about life. The ones above. The ones below.”
She turned back to Nelly. “Even stars exist in separation. Power decides who shines and who gets crushed. Either you’re slapped, bullied, or reduced to nothing.”
Her words sank like blades.
“I think I’m drunk,” Erica added calmly. “I should head back to the party.”
She walked past Nelly, then paused. Her hands settled on Nelly’s shoulders, firm.
“Giselle is such a good friend,” Erica whispered. “At least she doesn’t treat you like that.”
It was deliberate. Cruel. Nelly’s hands clenched at her sides as Erica stepped away, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.
“Giselle is a bitch,” Nelly spat under her breath. “Not an angel.”
“Do you think that’ll be enough to make her do what you want?” Nine asked quietly.
Erica’s lips curled.
“Did you do what I asked?” Erica said and
Nine nodded. “Everything’s set. Giselle’s in for a surprise. But miss… wouldn’t this just get her fired? Isn’t that too easy?”
Erica’s eyes gleamed. “She will suffer.” Her gaze shifted and froze.
Henry.
He had been watching her for a while. She noticed the curiosity, the faint glimmer of interest in his eyes.
“One thing about villains,” Erica murmured, “is that they always have something to lose.” She smirked. “Those four don’t. Poor bastards. Makes it more entertaining.”
“I’ll be back,” she told Nine.
She strolled toward Henry. He looked away too late.
“If you want a photo, I could pose,” Erica teased, leaning in close, tilting her head so her hair spilled over her face.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Henry replied quietly. “Especially not a commoner like me.”
Erica’s smile widened. He played the gentleman well.
“A friend of Aaron’s isn’t a commoner,” she said. “You’re practically a celebrity.”
Henry’s gaze flicked to Aaron. Something inside him snapped as Giselle approached Aaron, pressing herself against him, her hands roaming.
Erica noticed the fury and the hunger in Henry’s eyes.
She moved closer. Their lips nearly brushed.
“You like her?” she asked softly.
He opened his mouth to deny it.
Erica laughed. “She’s a goddess,” she said. “But not everyone gets one. You need money. Power. Control.” Her eyes gleamed. “Giselle seems… materialistic.” Henry’s pupils dilated.
“Do I stand a chance?” he asked.
Erica blinked, then noticed Carter watching from three steps away, his expression murderous.
Earlier, she had ordered Nine to drag him here.
“So you do like her,” Erica said lightly. “For a moment, I thought you wanted me.” She chuckled coldly. “Too bad. I like younger men.”
Henry’s gaze darkened. Lust. It was Undeniable. She felt it crawl over her skin as his eyes traced every inch of skin the dress revealed.
“Who knows,” he muttered.
“Should I arrange for you two to spend the night together?” Erica asked.
Carter moved....
“She might have a boyfriend,” Erica added innocently.
“That bastard doesn’t deserve her,” Henry snapped. “If I were her fiancé, I would fvck her constantly. Unlike Carter.”
The words barely landed before Carter slammed into him.
The punch cracked across Henry’s face.
The room went silent.
Blood sprayed. Glass shattered.
Erica stepped back, vanishing into the crowd as Giselle and Aaron turned in shock. Carter grabbed a bottle, Henry bleeding from his nose as they exchanged brutal blows.
Aaron watched. Blank. His look detached.
Then his eyes flicked to Erica hiding among the guests, that sinister smile forming.
"I should marry her," he thought. And their eyes met.
Erica shuddered, then covered her mouth, barely containing her laughter before slipping away.
“Stop them!” Giselle pleaded, gripping Aaron’s wrist. She knew trying to stop that fight, would be her demise, they would definitely hurt her: Plus her skin didn't need bruises.
Aaron nodded, smiling faintly. Anything to please the witch.
TWENTY MINUTES LATER
“What really happened?” Giselle asked, her arms folded underneath her chest.
“He said he wanted to fvck you,” Carter replied coldly. “And accused me of neglecting you.”
He turned to her slowly. “Have you been fooling around behind my back?”