Chapter 5
Selina Nash's curiosity overcame her in the lavish setting of Mrs. Winston's dining hall. She noticed a figure who seemed dangerous and powerful as she mixed with the guests. She turned to face her friend Simon Shen and couldn't help but ask.
"Simon, who is that man over there?" With a subdued nod toward Felix Yeats, she questioned.
A flash of fear crossed Simon's features as his demeanor darkened. "That's Mr Yeats," he said in a somber and subdued voice. "Selina, you shouldn't get connected with him. Believe me when I say this."
Simon's foreboding warning intrigued Selina, who demanded further details. "Why? What is his story?"
Simon paused, his eyes darting to Felix, and then he spoke a little louder. "Felix Yeats holds significant influence in this city, Selina. He has more power than you can ever understand, and he won't hesitate to take any action necessary to achieve his goals. However, his past is complicated.
Curious, Selina leaned in to have a closer look. "Complicated how?"
"Let's just say he has a history with Mrs. Winston," Simon clarified in a mysterious way. "Tenseness exists in their relationship, even though she has been like a mother to him. It would be best for you, Selina, to avoid him. You don't want to become entangled in his world, I assure you."
After few minutes of them conversing, Selina gave Simon a pitying grin as she moved away from his side. “Simon, I'll be right back. I only need to go to the bathroom."
Simon smiled, mischievous gleams in his eyes. With a lighthearted tone, he asked, "Are you sure you're not just tired of dancing with me?"
Shaking her head, Selina laughed. "Simon, never. A girl could not wish for a better dancing partner than you."
Simon put a mocking hand over his heart and seemed to be offended. "Well, if that's the case, then I'll have to make sure to step up my game when you return."
Selina gave him a tender eye roll and gave his arm a friendly slap. Simon, you're crazy. I'll be back before you know it.”
Selina moved away from Simon's side to use the bathroom, making her way through the hive of socialites and dancers. She could hear the music pulsing in her ears, along with the guests' lively chatter and laughter.
But as she moved through the mass of bodies, she was knocked forward by an unexpected impact. Selina gasped and grasped for her own balance, but it was too late. Evelyn Turner dropped the glass of red wine she was carrying and splattered it all over her dress, turning it a rich scarlet.
Evelyn's face twisted into a mask of fury as she turned on Selina, her voice dripping with venom. "Watch where you're going, you clumsy oaf!"
Evelyn glanced at Selina, her eyes widening with disbelief and her lips curving into a sneer. With a tone full of contempt, she spit out, "Watch where you're going!"
When Selina realized how serious the situation was, her heart fell. Evelyn took the chance to make a scene, her voice rising in a harsh pitch that cut through the music, before she could say another word of apology.
"Look what you've done!" Evelyn cried out, her voice full of hate. "You've ruined my dress!"
As they watched the scene unfold, the guests turned to stare, whispers spreading around the gathering. Selina was so embarrassed that her cheeks burned, and she was having trouble coming up with a response.
Evelyn, though, wasn't done. Her words brimming with poison, she turned to face Selina with a sly glitter in her eye. "Don't you think you can simply walk right in here and take Simon from me? Alright, sweetheart, let me tell you something. Nothing you do will ever take away from the fact that he is mine."
Selina struggled to keep her cool, and her jaw tightened. She was aware of the reality, in spite of Evelyn's charges: she wasn't romantically interested in Simon Shen. She did not wish to stand in the way of his friendship with Evelyn; he was only a buddy.
Selina felt a wave of anger rise within her as Evelyn's venomous tone pierced the air. "Evelyn, that's not true," she disagreed, maintaining a steady tone despite the underlying unrest. "In that sense, I'm not interested in Simon. He is only a friend."
However, Evelyn's eyes gleamed with malicious glee as her lips turned into a disdainful smirk. "Oh please, Selina," she said with a sarcastic sneer. "I've noticed how you've been staring at him the entire evening. Don't think I haven't noticed.”
Selina's hands clenched into fists at her sides, her brows pinched in disbelief. "That's ridiculous, Evelyn," she shot back, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "You're just imagining things."
But Evelyn was unrelenting, her charges becoming more venomous by the second. "Darling, you can try to hide the truth from everyone, but it's there. You're just a cunning little gold digger attempting to get Simon's favor."
Anger sprang to Selina's cheeks, her rage seething beneath the surface. She spit out, "How dare you," her voice shaking with rage. "I have no intention of stealing Simon from you, and I hate the insinuation."
"Evelyn, that's enough," he stated in a tone that did not allow for debate. “Selina had good intentions. Let's avoid bringing petty arguments to ruin Mrs. Winston's evening."
At that moment, everyone in the room became silent as Mrs. Winston herself made her grand entrance, capturing everyone's attention. She moved to greet her guests with a courteous grin on her face, her refined manner concealing the conflict seething beneath the surface.
Selina was unable to get rid of a strange feeling that persisted in the air as the evening went on. As time went on, it became evident that there were forces at work that were much beyond her understanding, and she couldn't help but wonder what additional mysteries were beyond this glittery façade with Evelyn.