Chapter 6

The room had sunk into an uneasy silence before Mrs. Winston's voice broke through the tension, which was sharp enough to cut. In response to Evelyn's outburst, guests looked at each other nervously and whispered among themselves, waiting to see how the hostess would react.

Mrs. Winston broke the trance that had enveloped the audience with an elegant sweep of her arm, and her voice echoed throughout the still dinner hall. "Let us make sure that this regrettable event doesn't overshadow the festivities this evening," she said in a forceful yet calm voice. "I trust that we can all return to our conversations and enjoy the rest of the evening.”

The visitors started whispering to one another as though they had been freed from a spell, and the tense environment gave way to a more relaxed one. But even as the room began to resemble normalcy again, all eyes were locked on Mrs. Winston as she approached Evelyn, her demeanor masking her disdain.

Mrs. Winston approached Evelyn with determined steps; her presence commanded attention as she stood in front of the embarrassed guest. With a cold, authoritative glance, she met Evelyn's, her displeasure obvious.

Mrs. Winston's voice echoed across the still banquet hall, "Evelyn, I must say I am deeply disappointed by your behavior tonight." "Such displays of pettiness and aggression have no place in my home."

With embarrassment flushing her cheeks, Evelyn looked around the room, trying to find the right words to say. She started, "But Mrs. Winston, she—" but stopped short as Mrs. Winston's severe stare weighed on her.

However, Mrs. Winston remained unmoved by justifications. With a forceful tone, she interrupted, "I don't want to hear it, Evelyn. Your actions tonight have brought disgrace upon yourself and your family.. I'll have to think twice before continuing our partnership."

The implications of Mrs. Winston's remarks caused Evelyn's face to become pale, and panic rose in her like a massive earthquake. She begged, "Please, Mrs. Winston, you can't do this," her voice growing more and more desperate.

Mrs. Winston, however, did not waver in her stare. "I'm afraid I can, Evelyn," she said calmly in response. "And I suggest you take this as a lesson in proper behavior."

Evelyn didn't have time to object further before two guards came up, their expressions too serious to argue with. Evelyn conceded defeat and let herself be led out of the banquet hall, saying goodbye with a menacing vow of vengeance.

Selina felt a chill go down her spine as Evelyn glared at her with such disdain that it was almost unbearable for her to be taken away. With a voice full of hate, she growled, "You haven't seen the last of me, Selina Nash. I won't let you off easily for this.”

After Evelyn left, there was a lot of whispered chatter in the room. Nevertheless, in the midst of the confusion, Selina was appreciative of how quickly the argument was resolved. She turned to face Simon and smiled gratefully at him, relief mixed with appreciation in her eyes.

She said, "Thank you, Simon," in a quiet but sincere voice. "I appreciate you stepping in to help."

Simon gave her a comforting nod in reply and smiled back, staring at her for longer than was necessary. He said, "Of course, Selina," in a kind and sincere tone. "I couldn't let Evelyn's behavior ruin your evening."

Simon motioned to a quiet part of the room as the guests started to leave. He led Selina to a staircase that led to the second-floor lounge and said, "Why don't we find somewhere quieter to deal with your dress?"

Selina drew a long breath, the stress leaving her body as soon as they were out of the other guest sight. With a tone full of appreciation, she said, "Simon, I can't thank you enough. I had no idea Evelyn, your fiancée, thought of me like that, or of us like that."

For a brief while, Simon's expression wavered, showing a hint of uncertainty. "Selina, I..." he started, his voice faltering as he searched for the right words.

But Selina cut him off with a forceful yet compassionate tone. She questioned him, her eyes searching for any hint of deception. "If you were trying to use me to avoid Evelyn, you should have told me beforehand. I didn't even know she was there in the event." she replied.

Simon paused, staring at the ground as he struggled with his feelings. At last, he whispered, "I know, Selina," scarcely raising his voice above a whisper. "I should have been honest with you from the beginning."

As Simon stood up, a sense of determination flickered in his eyes. "Selina, why don't you take care of that stain on your dress?" he suggested, his voice gentle yet decisive. "I'll wait for you in the hall."

Selina nodded gratefully, appreciating his understanding and consideration. "Thank you, Simon," she murmured, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I won't be long."

With a reassuring nod, Simon made his way towards the door, his footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit lounge. Selina watched him go, a sense of gratitude washing over her as she prepared to tackle the task at hand.

Alone in the quiet of the room, Selina turned her attention to the stain on her dress, her fingers tracing its edges with a mixture of frustration and determination. With steady hands, she began to dab at the mark with a damp cloth, her movements methodical as she worked to erase the evidence of the evening's problem.

Selina was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice the slight change in the air until it was too late. The room fell dark, the abrupt loss of light sending a jolt of terror through her body.

Selina's muscles stiffened instinctively as she strained to see the figures that loomed in the shadows. But all she could make out were the hazy outlines of people moving in the shadows and a hazy form of furniture.

She then felt someone walk into the room; there was a noticeable weight about it. Selina's heart skipped a beat, her senses acutely aware as she readied herself for whatever lay ahead.

Before Selina could react, strong hands seized her arms, pulling her back into the shadows. A gasp escaped Selina's lips as she felt herself being pressed against a solid form, her heart hammering in her chest.

"Who's there?" she demanded, her voice trembling with fear and uncertainty.

But Felix remained silent, his grip tightening on her arms as he leaned in closer. From the darkness, he studied Selina's face, his mind calculating the best course of action.

Then, with a swift movement, Felix twisted Selina's arm behind her back, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from her. "Quiet," he commanded, his voice low and commanding.

Selina's breath caught in her throat as she struggled against Felix's hold, her eyes searching the darkness for any sign of recognition. But all she could see was the outline of his form, covered in shadow.

Felix couldn't help but feel his veins fill with adrenaline as the tension between them crackled in the air. His spine tingled from the combination of the exciting chase and the seductive power of controlling her.

Felix's desire was a dark hunger that threatened to swallow him, and it simmered beneath the surface of Selina's dress as the red wine seeped through the opening, coloring the cloth a deeper shade of scarlet. He decided then and there that he would go to whatever lengths to keep Selina by his side, even if it meant going further into the darkest parts of his own wants.