It is him...

Elias POV

I stood at the back of the stage, half-hidden behind the heavy velvet curtains, watching as Fred stepped forward under the bright lights. The ceremonial scissors glinted in his hand.

Applause thundered through the ballroom as he cut the ribbon with a dramatic flourish. Cameras flew to capture this taunting moment.

Fred waved like a conquering hero.

I clapped along with everyone else, my hands moving mechanically. But even as I did, an unsettling feeling crawled up my spine. Someone was watching me.

I scanned the masked crowd, but with everyone hidden behind elaborate disguises, it was impossible to pinpoint the source. The sensation lingered, heavy and predatory.

Fred descended the stage and immediately grabbed my arm, dragging me toward a group of influential business moguls near the champagne tower.

“Come on, brother,” he said loudly, his voice dripping with false warmth. “Let’s show these gentlemen what real success looks like.”

He launched into his usual boasting the moment we reached them. “Gentlemen, look around you! This project is worth every single penny we invested. The location, the materials, the vision — it’s all going to make Carter Group the leader in luxury residential development. I poured my heart and soul into making sure every detail was perfect.”

One of the older men, Mr. Langford, tilted his head. “I heard Elias was the one who secured the land and handled the initial negotiations.”

Fred laughed loudly. “Elias helped with some groundwork, yes. But I took it to the next level. Without my leadership, it would still be stuck on paper.”

The men exchanged glances. I stepped forward slightly after Fred moved on to greet someone else, lowering my voice respectfully.

“I apologize for any confusion, gentlemen,” I said quietly. “Fred has indeed driven the final phase forward with great energy. Please enjoy the rest of the evening. If you have any questions about future expansions, I’d be happy to discuss them personally.”

Mr. Langford gave me a sympathetic look. “You’ve always been the good one, Elias. Don’t let anyone dim that.”

I nodded gratefully and hurried after Fred before he could complain about me being slow.

Next, Fred led me toward a lively group of rich heirs and heiresses clustered near the dance floor. A beautiful young woman in a sparkling silver mask and red gown was pulled into Fred’s arms. She laughed as he spun her once.

“Elias, meet my girlfriend, Sophia,” Fred announced proudly. “Her family owns half the shipping ports on the eastern coast. Quite the catch, isn’t she?”

Sophia smiled politely, but her eyes held a sharp edge. “Nice to finally meet the famous brother.”

Before I could respond, one of the male heirs sneered behind his golden mask. “Famous? More like the shadow. Fred here can only shine when Elias stays in the background.”

Another heiress laughed. “Exactly. We all know who actually does the real work in that family. Fred’s just good at parties and spending daddy’s money.”

Fred’s grip on my arm tightened painfully. I felt anger rise in my chest, hot and sharp, but I forced it down.

I stepped forward calmly, my voice steady. “With all due respect, Fred has achieved a lot with this launch. The accelerated timeline, the quality standards — those are results. I suggest you focus on your own achievements before commenting on ours. The Carter name stands on solid ground, and we intend to keep it that way.”

The group fell momentarily silent. Sophia raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

Fred’s face darkened behind his mask. He turned to me with a cold smile. “Since you’re so eager to be useful, Elias, go serve drinks to my friends.”

I stiffened. “Fred, I’m not a waiter.”

His voice dropped to a mocking whisper, eyes flashing with fury. “You will do as I say, or I’ll make sure Father hears how you’re embarrassing me in front of important people. Serve them. That’s an order.”

I hesitated, humiliation burning in my cheeks. My hands clenched at my sides.

Just as I reached for a tray, a firm hand tapped my shoulder from behind. A low voice whispered near my ear, “Mr. Carter wants you immediately. He’s found something precious at this event.”

I turned slightly, recognizing one of my father’s trusted aides. Relief flooded me.

“Excuse me,” I said politely to the group, ignoring Fred’s furious glare. “Duty calls.”

Fred hissed under his breath, “Don’t you dare walk away—”

I didn’t wait. I followed the aide through the crowd toward the private VIP lounge where my father waited.

Father stood near the window, looking tense. “Elias. Good, you’re here quickly.”

“What is it, Father?” I asked.

He turned to me seriously. “The devil is here tonight.”

I blinked, stunned. “Who?”

“Damien Voss,” Father said gravely. “A true maniac who feasts on both the underworld and the legitimate business world. Anything he sets his eyes on eventually crumbles. He’s extremely dangerous, Elias. I need you to go entertain him personally. Make sure he feels welcome. We cannot afford to offend him.”

Father handed me his phone. A video played — security footage of a tall, powerful man in a black suit and black mask entering the ballroom.

My hands began to shake violently as I stared at the screen. That posture. That commanding presence. Even with the mask, I knew.

It was him.

The same man from that night. The one who had pinned me down, taken my dignity, and left me broken and limping the next morning.

“Elias?” Father shook my shoulder, snapping me out of the daze. “What are you thinking about? You look pale. Is something wrong?”

I quickly handed the phone back, forcing my voice to remain the same. “Nothing, Father. I’ll go entertain him right away.”

I turned and began walking away slowly, my legs feeling like lead. My heart hammered painfully in my chest.

Suddenly, Emily appeared beside me. She grabbed my arm gently but firmly, pulling me toward a side corridor.

“Elias, breathe,” she whispered urgently. “Deep breaths. You’re about to cry in front of everyone.”

She led me into a private restroom, locked the door, and turned on the faucet. She splashed cold water on my face herself, then patted my back soothingly as I leaned over the sink.

“You recognized him, didn’t you?” she asked softly. “From that night.”

I nodded shakily, gripping the edge of the sink. “It’s him, Emily… The same man. He is Damien Voss. He… he’s the one who—”

“I know,” she cut in gently, still rubbing my back. “I saw your reaction. You don’t have to explain everything. Just breathe. In… and out. You’ve survived him once. You can face him again.”

“I don’t know if I can,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “He destroyed me that night. And now I have to smile and entertain him like nothing happened.”

“You can,” Emily said firmly. “Face your fear, Elias. Stare it down. You are stronger than he knows. You’ve carried worse and kept walking. Don’t let him win again.”

I closed my eyes, focusing on her words. Slowly, my breathing evened out. The shaking in my hands lessened, though a thin layer of sweat still clung to my forehead.

I straightened up, wiped my face, and looked at my reflection. The mask hid most of my expression. I looked almost normal again.

“Thank you, Emily,” I said quietly.

She gave me a small, professional nod but her eyes were softer than they had been in weeks. “You’ve got this. Go, I’ll be nearby if you need me.”

I took one final deep breath and stepped out of the restroom, heading back into the ballroom to find the devil himself.

My hands were still trembling slightly. But I had to keep walking.