Chapter 14

*Laurie*

I hesitated, my gaze flicking over the neat array of lipstick shades presented before me.

The sheer number of options was overwhelming. Deep crimsons, sultry wines, soft corals, glossy carmines. I had never given much thought to makeup before, let alone been asked to pick a shade for a dress this extravagant.

The maid closest to me shifted ever so slightly, waiting in silence. There was no pressure in her expression, but I could feel the unspoken expectation lingering in the air.

I inhaled softly and reached out, my fingers brushing over the tubes before settling on one. A spicy hot chilli red.

The maids exchanged satisfied glances. I caught the faintest flicker of approval in their eyes.

"An excellent choice, Mistress," one of them murmured.

Mistress? I was still getting used to that.

"Please, take a seat," another instructed, gesturing toward a black chair positioned in front of a vanity mirror.

I did as told, settling into the seat as they moved around me. And then, the transformation began. Their hands were light, careful, yet perfect as they worked their magic.

A brush swept across my face, dusting my skin with the finest powders, while another traced delicate strokes over my eyelids. The warm scent of expensive cosmetics filled the air.

In a matter of minutes, I could barely recognize the woman in the mirror as they blended, sculpted, and defined my face. My eyes became sharper, my lips fuller, my cheekbones kissed with just the right amount of glow. For a moment, I forgot myself.

I wasn’t Laurie Rayne, the woman who had been betrayed and auctioned away.

I was someone else entirely. A goddess wrapped in fire and silk. By the time they finished my makeup, they moved on to my hair, their fingers working swiftly to weave elegance into every strand. The soft tug of pins and brushes glided through my scalp as they styled my hair into an intricate updo that was sophisticated, yet effortlessly seductive. Loose curly strands framed my face, adding a touch of softness to the sharp allure of my makeup.

Then came the dress. The fabric pooled like liquid rubies in their hands as they carefully slipped it over my frame, smoothing the material against my skin. It hugged every curve like it had been crafted solely for me. The slit at the side revealed just enough to tease without losing its elegance.

I ran my hands over the silk, feeling the luxurious weight of it.

Then, they brought out the accessories.

A pair of long black gloves, adorned with tiny, sparkling crystals, slipped onto my hands, extending just past my elbows. A matching black crystal purse was placed beside me.

Then came the shoes. Black heels, encrusted with delicate crystals that shimmered like stars with every subtle movement. They slid onto my feet like a second skin, elevating me both in height and in presence.

And then, the final touch. A ruby necklace. The same one Theron had clasped around my neck back in my workroom, a piece so exquisite it almost felt too gorgeous to wear. The earrings followed, a perfect match, glinting like captured flames beneath the vanity lights.

I stared at my reflection, utterly transfixed.

This woman… She wasn’t just beautiful. She was deadly gorgeous. I would never have believed that I could look this beautiful. More beautiful than those celebrities walking down the red carpet? Shit!! I was a goddess draped in red, adorned in fire and power.

A stylish hat was placed atop my head, tilted just slightly to add a final note of sophistication to the entire ensemble. I swallowed hard. This wasn't just a makeover. This was a freaking rebirth.

A knock at the door shattered my daze. The maids instantly stiffened, their spines straightening like soldiers preparing for battle. I could feel the tension roll through the air like a thunderstorm.

I turned toward the door and watched it open. Theron stepped in, his presence flooding the room like a shadow swallowing light.

The maids immediately lowered their heads, aligning themselves in perfect, disciplined formation as though they had been trained to fear him.

And for a moment, I understood why. Because the man who stood before me was not just powerful.

He was breathtaking.

Dressed in a black three-piece suit, tailored to perfection, he was a vision of pure noble dominance. The crisp white shirt beneath his jacket contrasted sharply against the dark fabric, while the deep red tie he wore was the only hint of color that matched my dress, as if we had been paired by design.

His sharp jawline, his neatly styled dark hair, the way he carried himself with effortless confidence… My breath caught.

Damn him.

He was drop-dead handsome.

And the way his gaze slid over me… slowly, intensely, taking in every detail of my transformation, made my skin burn hotter than the bath I had just stepped out of.

Theron’s lips curved slightly, just enough to be noticeable.

A smile.

A real, genuine smile.

It was subtle, barely there, but it was enough to send a ripple of shock through the room. The maids visibly tensed, their heads dipping even lower as if witnessing something forbidden.

I wasn’t any different.

Theron, whom I've known so far, was a man carved from ice and shadows, a force of nature that seemed incapable of warmth. And yet, here he was, looking at me with something dangerously close to admiration.

His voice, rich and smooth like aged whiskey, broke the silence.

"You look… breathtaking."

I froze.

Not beautiful. Not good. Not some teasing remark about how he had done well choosing me.

Breathtaking…

I stared at him, unsure if I had imagined it. The way his eyes gleamed as they roamed over me, taking in every inch of me, sent an unfamiliar heat crawling up my neck.

The room was deathly silent, save for the soft rustle of fabric as he moved toward me. My heart pounded harder with every step he took.

He ignored my stunned expression and simply extended his hand.

"Come," he said, in his usual commanding tone.

I hesitated. Theron did not seem like one to hand out compliments or even smile.

And yet, tonight, he had done both.

Before I could even think too much, my hand moved on its own, slipping into his. His fingers curled around mine. They were warm, firm, and… protective?

A shiver ran through me as he led me forward, out of the room, through the grand corridors of the mansion. The maids stayed behind, unmoving, as if still recovering from what they had just witnessed.

I barely had time to admire the luxurious surroundings before we stepped outside. The evening air was cool against my skin, the scent of roses and fresh rain lingering in the atmosphere.

Waiting at the foot of the grand entrance was a car. Not just any car. This car was something sleek, dark, and impossibly expensive.

Theron led me to it without a word, stopping only when we reached the door.

He released my hand just long enough to open it for me, his movements were just gentlemanly. His face was now expressionless, but I caught the faint glint of amusement in his eyes.

"Don't look so shocked, Cookie," he murmured, tilting his head slightly. "Even a villain has manners."

There it was. The teasing. The infuriating smugness made me want to slap him and roll my eyes at the same time. And yet, after everything, after that fleeting smile and unexpected compliment, I found myself exhaling a quiet laugh.

Maybe I had been stupid to think he would change overnight.

I slid into the car, settling into the plush leather seat, and watched as he shut the door before rounding to the other side.

The moment he got in, the driver started the engine.

I glanced out the window, watching as the world outside began to shift. The roads were unfamiliar, the towering buildings of the city I had known fading into the distance.

Something wasn’t right.

I leaned forward slightly, frowning. This wasn’t the same city I was in before.

The streets, the lights, the entire atmosphere – it was different.

A strange sensation curled in my stomach. I turned to Theron, my voice laced with suspicion.

"Where are we?"

"Where else, Cookie?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Don't tell me the fallen daughter of the Mighty Rayne family doesn't know this area of Valemont City... Oops! She doesn't?”