Chapter 5 Chapter 5.

(Rebecca)

“Daniel?! What was he doing here? Didn’t he say—”

"I'm so sorry," he interrupted, his voice slicing through my chaotic thoughts.

"Yeah, you should be sorry for lying to me," I shot back, my voice sharper than intended.

“Lying to you?” Confusion flickered across his face, and that's when I realized what I had just blurted out.

Fuck! I always think out loud.

With a forced smile, I tried to regain composure. "You’re not genuinely sorry for bumping into me; that was an intentional act. A classic ploy to get my attention, that's what you guys do these days.” I quickly handled the situation.

He chuckled, a sound that somehow softened the tension. "Well, I’m not like those guys."

“Liar,” I retorted, rolling my eyes as he chuckled again.

“Nice to meet you, though,” he offered, extending his hand.

“It wasn’t,” I replied, deliberately ignoring his gesture. Just as I took a step away, he spoke again. “You sound just like someone I know.”

I paused mid-stride, and he took a step forward to reach me. "The same voice, they same way she'd behave," he continued.

Of course I am someone you know, moron!

I forced a smile that lacked any sincerity. "Really?"

"You've got the same eyes too," he added, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

Okay, time to move now before we get discovered.

"Find another tactic; this one is overused by too many guys already," I said, forcing a casual tone as I turned to leave.

Phew! That was close.

I found a quiet corner just before a balcony and settled there, taking a moment to clear my head. Daniel's face lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but scoff.

Bravo, Daniel. This is the so-called "company field trip" you said you were going on. What an outstanding lie you had the gut to tell me.

But then I was reminded of my own little deception. At least we were even on that front.

Just as I decided to distract myself with social media, a loud, enthusiastic voice echoed through the room. I turned my gaze towards a gigantic screen dominating the wall, an adorable animated doll displayed prominently.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Temptation Trial. I am Sia, your host," the voice announced.

"As we await the results of the final screening, please form a single file and submit your invitation letters into the boxes for verification. Thank you."

I couldn't help but scoff at the turn of events unfolding before me. These people were truly surprising me at every corner—first, it was an application form, then a picture request, an application review, followed by my application approval, a final screening, and now this, a verification process? What would be next?

Everyone assembled into a single file and the submission commenced. Each time a letter was dropped into the box, she graciously acknowledged it with a heartfelt “thank you,” as if she could actually see our activities here.

The line moved slowly, the minutes crawling by. It took nearly an hour before it was my turn. As I approached the box to deposit my invitation letter, Sia’s voice cut through the air like a knife. “Please take off your veil, Miss.”

Confirmed! She could see our activities here— or so it seemed.

I hesitated but decided to ignore her request and leaned forward to place my letter in the box. “Miss,” she insisted, her tone unwavering, “please take off your veil.”

“Why?” I challenged her.

“Because it’s the right thing to do,” she replied. “In this game, we promote transparency. Show us how transparent you are by removing your veil.”

Oh no! Taking off my veil meant unmasking my identity. No matter the outcome, revealing who I was could change everything for me. I had to stand my ground.

“I will not take off my veil,” I asserted firmly. “I have nothing to hide, and it’s my choice to keep it on.”

“Then we’ll assume you’re an imposter or a criminal,” she shot back.

“What?” My heart raced. The accusation stung.

“That is the most suitable reason for your actions,” she replied blandly.

I couldn't believe it. “So not complying with your demand makes me an imposter?” I scoffed in disbelief.

“Hey, you,” a young man interrupted, striding toward me. “Just take off that thing and stop causing a scene.”

“Exactly,” chimed in another young lady who joined him. “We know all these attention-seeking girls. This is exactly what they want—attention.”

A third voice emerged from the crowd. “If you genuinely have nothing to hide, then why not take off the veil?"

And within seconds, everyone was coming at me, some rudely, asking me to do the one thing I don't want to do. The one thing that could ruin me.

---

(Lucian)

Impressed with the way things were being handled, I decided it was time to leave, to tend to other pressing matters. But on my way out, I paused.

The balcony.

Something about it pulled me in—the quietness, the openness, the calm. I stepped outside.

The view was stunning. The city stretched beyond the hills, painted in shades of gold and grey as the morning sun pushed through drifting clouds. A gentle breeze swept through the open space, brushing against my face like an old friend. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It smelled of dew, dust, and distant jasmine.

Perfect weather for a smoke.

I reached into my pocket out of habit but sighed. No cigarettes. Not today.

So I simply stood there, hands resting on the rail, letting the wind whisper past me. Peace was a rare gift, and I welcomed it, until it shattered.

An argument broke out from the room next to the balcony I was in.

I remained in place, my ears picking up every word dropped from their mouths. But when it was getting too lousy, I had to move.

I turned, pushed the glass door open and stepped inside the room, my bodyguards flanking me as always.

“What is going on here?” My voice resonated throughout the room, firm and authoritative, a volume that commanded immediate attention. All arguments ceased, and the room fell silent, the participants retreating to the corners like startled deer.

At the center stood a young woman in a long silk gown, her elegance undermined by the veil that concealed everything but her striking blue eyes.

“Take that off now,” I ordered, expecting the usual compliance that came with my station, but she surprised me.

“And why should I take orders from you?” she shot back, arms crossed defiantly.

I couldn’t help but scoff at her audacity. “Do you have any idea who I am?”

“Who are you, aside from a rich ass bully?” she countered, her fearless demeanor only igniting my intrigue.

A smirk curled at the corner of my lips. Most people would cower in my presence, yet here was someone who refused to back down. Her attitude was refreshing, and I couldn't deny that I was enjoying the challenge.

Closing the gap between us, I held her gaze. Without warning, I reached for her veil an

d before she could process anything, I pulled it off, revealing her identity that came as a shock to me.

It's her!