Chapter 88

Scarlett's POV

Her body tensed, but her smile never faltered.

"What are you doing, Scarlett? If you didn't want to come, you could have just told me over the phone."

I maintained my perfect smile, leaning close to her ear, my perfume mingling in the space between us.

"Camila, this charade is getting tiresome. You're the only person I can rely on in Silverlight City. Didn't you once say I was like a sister to you?"

I felt her body tense slightly. She genuinely seemed afraid.

"You've been away for so many years, never trained at Obsidian Palace. Your methods are too... wild."

She paused, a flash of regret crossing her eyes. "Don't worry, however you came here tonight, I'll make sure you leave the same way."

"Good." I deepened my smile, pulling away before draining my glass of wine in one smooth motion. The bitter liquid slid down my throat, igniting a fire in my stomach.

I needed to stay alert. Every step tonight was crucial.

"Were my vulnerabilities that obvious?" She bent down gracefully, spearing a strawberry with her fork and bringing it to her lips.

The movement was flawlessly elegant, but she couldn't hide the wariness in her eyes.

"I guessed," I said, my gaze fixed straight ahead until it met Lillian's across the room.

I raised my glass slightly in acknowledgment. Such a minor gesture, yet it made her even more nervous. Interesting.

"Just a guess?"

"Marvin mentioned that since your marriage, you've become reluctant to follow orders and arrangements."

I spoke slowly, watching Camila's reaction. "Over the past two years, I've investigated several Silverlight City socialites. Your profile matched most closely. Besides, your assistance at the Blair family event was too deliberate."

I saw surprise flash in her eyes, and a small thrill of victory surged within me.

"I know better than to meddle, but given that you've successfully gotten close to the Gray family, especially Alexander, if I hadn't helped you then, your mission would have failed, forcing me to replace you—making everything much more difficult."

She sighed resignedly, as if truly compelled by circumstances to intervene.

I seized the opportunity immediately. "You don't want Allison Hayes in Silverlight City, do you?"

The name worked like a spell—I watched Camila's smile freeze instantly.

Allison ranked fourth among us. I remembered how Camila and Allison never got along, even as children.

The conversation ended there as Sandra approached, breaking the tension between us.

"Scarlett, let's play a game. Dice, cards... something simple. Whoever loses drinks or does something else."

Seeing the excitement in her eyes, I was curious about her scheme. I set down my glass and followed her.

The scene was more decadent than I'd imagined. One young woman who had lost was now covered only by a blanket; another was kissing a male model; faint moans even emanated from a corner.

I'd always thought only men could be so uninhibited. I never expected these high-society ladies to be so reckless in private.

After several rounds, I deliberately lost a few games, drank five glasses, and pretended to be tipsy.

"Scarlett, you're drunk. How about we change the rules?" Sandra leaned closer, her voice laced with satisfaction.

"Whoever loses removes a piece of clothing, or—there are plenty of young men here—kisses someone for five minutes."

"Fine," I nodded dreamily, noticing from the corner of my eye the smug smiles exchanged around me.

They thought I was their prey, not realizing the hunt had only just begun.

In the following rounds, I didn't lose once. The alcohol coursing through my veins seemed to sharpen my thoughts rather than dull them.

"We're out of wine," I leaned back in the plush chair, my gaze sweeping across the group of young women before settling on Sandra.

"So who's stripping next? Or should someone find a young gentleman to kiss?"

"Miss Blair, it's your turn." I smiled meaningfully, pushing myself up from the armrests. "You set the rules yourself—you can't break them now."

Only now did she seem to understand my intention, her expression quickly shifting to anger. "You..."

"Miss Blair, surely you're not a sore loser?" I asked deliberately, knowing it would prick her pride.

"Who says I am!" She downed her drink in one gulp, then grabbed a nearby male server and gave him a deep kiss.

Just as cheers erupted, George and Casey walked in.

I laughed inwardly. The timing couldn't have been more perfect.

"Sandra, have you lost your mind?" Casey's roar instantly silenced the entire room.

I turned, giving George a cold glance, then patted Sandra's shoulder. "Miss Blair, thank you for your hospitality tonight. I'll be leaving now..."

As I passed George, I felt his gaze on me, that familiar burning sensation stirring something inside me, but I didn't look back.

That chapter was closed, regardless of what he thought now.

After leaving the private room, I headed straight for the parking lot, taking out my phone to call a driver.

Suddenly, a hand reached from behind me—long fingers with distinct knuckles snatching my phone away.

Before I could react, I was pushed into a car.

A familiar scent surrounded me as long fingers untied my trench coat belt. His eyes narrowed slightly, lips curving into a disquieting smile.

"The little wildcat looks very sexy today," Alexander's voice was deep and dangerous, like an electric current running up my spine.