Camille staggered toward her desk, her blank gaze fixed on nothing, her face drained of color. Gripping the edge with trembling hands, she lashed out, sending everything on the table crashing across the room.
"That bitch," Camille spat, her tone dripping with venom, her eyes blazing.
Startled by Camille's outburst, the employees averted their eyes, bowing their heads as they slid silently into their seats, hoping to disappear.
Amid the tense silence, only one employee—Tessa—rose from her seat and offered Camille a bottle of water.
Camille shot her a sharp glare before snatching the bottle of water, though slowly.
"If you plan on dealing with her," Tessa said softly, "You'll need patience—not anger. "
"Of course, I'll need patience, not anger. It was foolish of me to lose my temper earlier," Camille muttered with a faint smile. Then her smile faded. "Why the sudden interest in my business?"
"Perhaps I simply can't stand her presence either, just like you, " Tessa replied calmly.
"That bitch doesn't even know what she's done. She trespassed into a lion's den and provoked it. Since she chose to cross the line, I'll ensure she pays—until quitting feels like the only option," Camille said through clenched teeth.
"I'll help you," Tessa said softly.
Camille shot her a glare, then nodded.
"Of course you will," She said with a mischievous smile.
*****
Meanwhile, Hazel's day went smoothly, and she couldn't be more relieved. After the heated argument in the meeting room, Camille didn't bother her again.
Gathering her small belongings, she slipped them into her bag before rising to her feet, prepared to go.
"Hey... " Susan's voice rang out as she hurried after Hazel, who was already heading out of her office.
"Oh, hi Susan," Hazel said calmly.
"You were cool earlier... in the meeting room!" Susan grinned.
"Honestly I didn't know you could be so sharp tongued and bold. The way you stood up to Camille—hell, she was so shocked! it must've been the first time anyone ever dared to stand up to her!"
"Oh, it was nothing. She practically asked for it," Hazel replied with a faint smile.
"Will you be free over the weekend? I want us to go out and eat—bills on me!" Susan said eagerly.
"Ah, I'm sorry... I have classes over the weekend, so I can't make it," Hazel said with an apologetic smile.
Susan pouted her lips.
"I'll get going now. Bye," Hazel said as she stepped out of the big building. Susan waved after her before heading back inside, while Hazel scurried off down the street.
The night deepened as the streets bustled with people moving to and fro, each heading in different directions.
"Mom! Look, I have an ice cream! A kind uncle gave me an ice cream!" A little boy shouted excitedly as he ran off in a certain direction. In his haste, he accidentally bumped into Hazel. She quickly steadied him before he could fall, but the ice cream splattered across her dress.
"I'm so sorry aunt," The little boy apologized sadly.
"It's okay, but next time be careful. Don't run around like that or you might hurt yourself," Hazel with a smile.
"My little one! Noah, I've warned you about running around the street like this. You could get hurt," The woman chided softly, gathering him into her arms.
"Sorry, mommy! I didn't mean to scare you. But this nice aunty helped me—she stopped me from falling!" The little boy beamed.
Hazel rose slowly, brushing at the ice cream that had splattered across her dress.
"Oh, I'm so sorry—your shirt is stained. Let me help you," The woman said apologetically, reaching toward her.
"No—it's okay." Hazel said, raising her hand to stop her, but flinched the moment their skin touched.
"Are you okay miss? I was only trying to help— "
"It's—It's okay... I'll do it myself," Hazel interrupted, her weary eyes darting fearfully as she instinctively stepped back.
The woman scoffed rudely and yanked her son's hand.
"Suit yourself, then!" She snapped before storming off with the boy.
Hazel's gaze lingered on the woman's fading figure, fear and confusion flickering in her eyes. Still trying to process what had just happened—her hands trembled, damp with sweat as she rubbed them nervously against her gown.
A sudden blare of a car horn jolted her, dragging her back to reality.
Hazel's eyes landed on a sleek black car with tinted windows parked by the roadside.
Hazel froze as Kael approached her with his usual composed stride.
"Miss Morgan," he greeted smoothly. "Mr. Vaelmont requests that you join him in the car."
Clutching her gown tightly, Hazel approached the black car. The tinted window slid down, revealing Vladimir's cold, unreadable face.
Kael pulled the door open, and Hazel slipped inside, her movements tense, before shutting the door with a quiet click.
"G–Good evening, sir..." Hazel greeted, her voice barely above a whisper as she peeked at Vladimir's face. His eyes were shut while his head rested lazily against the seat.
"Hm," He hummed lazily.
Kael slipped into the car and shut the door, while Ezren, seated behind the wheel, ignited the engine, sending the car gliding into the night.
"Where's your house?" Vladimir asked, his words drawn out with deliberate slowness.
Hazel's hand fidgeted in her lap.
"It's not far... only a few minutes from here,"
"You seem to know a lot about jewelry... how come?" Vladimir asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"M–My mom was into jewelry, so I picked up a little experience from her" Hazel replied.
Vladimir nodded.
The car screeched to a halt in front of Hazel's apartment. She pushed the door open and stepped out. "Thank you for the ride, sir," Hazel said softly, closing the door behind her.
Hazel strode slowly toward the apartment, her figure fading as she disappeared into the house.
Vladimir's gaze lingered on the apartment for a moment before he slowly turned away.
"These are Miss Morgan's records," Kael said, extending a file toward him.
Taking it, Vladimir flipped it open as his dark eyes scanned the pages.
"She lives with her best friend, who's like a sister to her. Lost her mother years back. As for her father... there are no records," Kael said, his tone serious.
"Interesting," Vladimir murmured, his lips curving into a faint smile.
"But... it seems her best friend's boyfriend frequently visits the apartment. " Kael added carefully. Vladimir's faint smile disappeared, his features hardening as the atmosphere in the car dropped several degrees. Kael and Ezren exchanged uneasy glances, shivering under the sudden chill.
She was his, and he would not tolerate the presence of any other man near her.
As if on cue, a car drove past Vladimir's and halted before the apartment. Chris stepped out with nylon bags, his cheerful smile oblivious to the cold gaze watching from the shadows.
Vladimir's dark gaze followed him until he disappeared into the apartment.
Soon, the car drove off.
*****
While Riley busied herself in the kitchen, Hazel sat motionless on her bed, staring intently at her palm. She was still trying to process what she had witnessed when she touched the woman. The images vivid and horrifying.
Blood—everywhere. Bodies scattered across the ground. A woman gripped an axe, swinging it down mercilessly upon another victim, a twisted smile etched on her face.
She enjoyed it—enjoyed the screams, the death.
Hazel's chest tightened. Was it just her imagination or was she truly seeing things now?
Maybe it was nothing more than another illusion—just like the strange dreams she kept having about Vladimir.
Hazel ran into the bathroom and turned on the faucet. Grabbing the soap, she scrubbed her hands over and over until her skin turned red. Still, the horrifying images clung to her mind, refusing to fade.
Hazel heard lively chatter coming from downstairs. She quickly stepped out of the bathroom and made her way out of the room, she spotted Riley eagerly unpacking items from a nylon bag, her excitement obvious.
"Oh—Hazel! I almost forgot—Chris is staying the night!" Riley exclaimed, her voice bubbling with glee. Chris stepped out of the kitchen at the same moment, Hazel's face fell instantly.