The party continued smoothly.
Soft jazz floated through the air, glasses clinked, and laughter rose under the glowing lights. Guests surrounded Ella and Riguel, curious about the mysterious heiress who had replaced her father so unexpectedly.
Jade stood near the bar, holding a glass of champagne she barely tasted.
She watched from afar as Riguel and Daniel spoke with Ella.
She was confident.
Smart.
Beautiful.
Too beautiful.
"So," Camilla murmured beside her, swirling her drink,
"another ambitious girl entering the city's elite circle."
Jade forced a smile.
"Isn't that how you started?" she replied lightly.
Camilla glanced at her, then looked back at Daniel.
"She's interesting," she admitted.
"And dangerous. Men like Daniel and Riguel attract that type."
Jade raised an eyebrow.
"Should I be worried?"
Camilla smirked.
"Depends on how much you care."
Jade didn't answer.
Across the rooftop, Ella laughed softly at something Riguel said.
"And how do you find our city so far?" Daniel asked politely.
"Charming," Ella replied.
"Full of opportunities… and mysteries."
She looked at him with interest.
"I've heard a lot about the Ooman family."
Daniel's expression remained neutral.
"Only good things, I hope."
"Of course," she smiled.
"Power, legacy, discretion. My father respects men like you."
Riguel chuckled.
"Careful, Daniel. She's already impressed."
Daniel ignored the comment and glanced toward the bar.
His eyes met Jade's.
She was looking away.
For a second, something unreadable crossed his gaze.
Back at the bar, Jade finished her drink.
"Relax," Camilla whispered.
"It's just business."
"Of course," Jade replied, but her tone was flat.
She watched Ella again.
The way she stood close.
The way she smiled at Daniel.
Jade exhaled slowly.
This is ridiculous.
Yet her fingers tightened around her glass.
Jealousy was an ugly feeling.
And she had never planned to feel it.
Riguel left Ella and Daniel alone to talk with his other partners.
"You know, I admire your father. Lucas Ooman building such an empire like this is impressive." She paused, studying him with interest.
"I admit, if our company was in computer technology or related fields, we would have been partners."
"I'm flattered," Daniel replied politely.
She touched Daniel's shoulder—amicably, but there was something undeniably seductive in the gesture.
"Don't be. I'm serious."
Jade was getting irritated.
Is she here for Daniel or Riguel? she wondered.
She finished her champagne in one sip and headed toward them.
As she reached them, she kissed Daniel on the mouth without hesitation.
"Honey," she purred, then turned to Ella with a perfectly polished smile.
"I hope you're enjoying yourself."
Ella smiled back. "Yes, you did a great job. The place is beautiful."
"Oh! I haven't introduced myself properly." Jade tilted her head slightly, her tone playful but unmistakably territorial.
"Jade Lee. Event planner when I'm bored—and Daniel's fiancée."
She kissed him again, slower this time, deliberately intimate.
Then she leaned closer to Ella, her smile sharp but her voice soft, almost sweet.
"Feel free to admire him. He's very… impressive."
She glanced at Daniel, then back at Ella.
"But looking is free. Touching, however, requires a lifetime contract."
Ella blinked, momentarily stunned.
Jade surprised herself by acting jealous and possessive toward Daniel, even though she knew everything between them was just a contract.
Still, she felt a strange thrill watching Ella retreat ever so slightly.
Maybe I'm enjoying this too much, she thought.
Ella didn't step back. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her smile calm but challenging.
"A lifetime contract?" she repeated, amused.
"Interesting. In my world, contracts are renegotiated every day."
Jade's eyes sparkled, her lips curving into a sharper smile.
"Oh, I'm sure they are," she replied smoothly.
"But this one comes with very strict clauses. And very… expensive penalties."
Ella crossed her arms, studying her openly.
"You're confident for a beginner in this world. Most women in your position would be nervous."
Jade chuckled softly.
"Oh, I am nervous," she said sweetly.
"I'm just very good at hiding it. And at winning."
Daniel let out a small laugh, clearly entertained. He slipped an arm around Jade's waist, pulling her closer.
"I didn't know you had this side," he murmured near her ear.
"Jealousy looks surprisingly good on you."
Jade raised an eyebrow. "Don't get used to it."
Ella looked between them, then smiled with elegant composure.
"Well," she said, lifting her glass, "I hope I'll have the pleasure of working with you in the future, Jade Lee. You seem… fascinating."
Jade clinked her glass against Ella's.
"Oh, you will," she replied with a dazzling smile.
"I always make sure people remember me."
As Ella walked away, Daniel leaned closer, his voice low and teasing.
"So, should I be worried? Or should I enjoy this possessive fiancée version of you?"
Jade rolled her eyes, but her fingers tightened slightly on his jacket.
"Enjoy it while it lasts, Mr. Ooman."
Daniel smiled.
He definitely intended to.
A waitress suddenly interrupted them.
"Madam, we have a problem."
"I'm coming," Jade replied.
She turned back to Daniel, her expression unreadable but her smile dangerous.
"Remember," she whispered.
"No third parties should be involved. It's clearly stipulated in our contract. So… be a good boy."
She winked and walked away.
Daniel watched her leave, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He then directed toward Ella.
"I'm sorry if she was a little too… weird."
Ella laughed softly, her eyes shining with amusement.
"Don't worry," she said.
"I like that kind of girl."
.
.
.
Jade walked through the crowd, her mind still replaying the conversation with Daniel. The music, the laughter, the clinking glasses—everything felt distant, muffled, as if she were underwater.
"Focus, Jade. It's your event," she whispered to herself.
She stepped closer to the edge of the rooftop, pretending to check the decoration, when something—no, someone—caught her attention.
A woman was standing alone near the glass railing.
Tall. Slim. Elegant.
Her long dark dress moved with the wind, as if it was alive. Her hair cascaded down her back like a shadow, and her posture was too calm, too still for a party like this.
Jade froze.
Her heart skipped a beat.
No… It's impossible.
It was her.
The mysterious woman from the road.
The one who spoke about an Ooman she loved.
The one who whispered VESPERIS.
Jade blinked hard.
When she opened her eyes again, the woman was still there.
Not a hallucination.
She was real.
The woman slowly turned her head.
Their eyes met.
And Jade felt her blood run cold.
The woman's lips curved into a faint smile—too knowing, too intimate, as if she had been waiting for Jade.
Then, she lifted her hand slightly, as if greeting her.
Jade felt dizzy.
Her fingers trembled as she held the champagne glass. The music seemed to fade, the city lights below blurred, and for a moment she felt that same strange pressure in her chest—the same sensation that preceded her fainting.
Not again…
She took a step forward.
The woman turned and walked toward the staircase leading down from the rooftop, her silhouette disappearing into the shadows.
Jade hesitated only a second.
Then she followed.