Chapter 5

Lauren's POV

The dress he had sent for me fit perfectly–a floor-length ruby gown that shimmered with every movement. It felt expensive, regal even, but it wasn’t enough to settle the unease brewing in my stomach.

I had spent the last few hours getting prepared for whatever new humiliation or test awaited me. I had learnt that Kelvin Aldoracco wasn’t a man who did anything without purpose. Tonight was not going to be an exception.

I tugged the silk gloves higher up my arms, glancing at the enormous estate through the car window. Lights spilled from every window, and music buzzed faintly as I approached. The driver opened the door for me, and I stepped out, immediately feeling like I had stepped into a lion's den.

I pretended not to notice the stares. Whether they were admiring my dress or assessing how out of place I looked, I couldn’t tell.

“Lauren?”

The voice froze me in my tracks.

I turned and immediately locked eyes with the two people I least wanted to see—my Stepmother, Clarissa, and my Stepsister, Jane. Talk about a small world.

The sight of their faces hit me like a slap, memories of years of cruelty crashing back in a second.

“I told you it was her.” Clarissa sneered and directed a side eye at Jane before eyeing me from head to toe like I was something scraped off the bottom of her shoe.

“What are you doing here?” She demanded, her eyes narrowing. “This is not somewhere for your kind.”

Jane smirked, glancing over my dress. “Let me guess, you stole that from someone’s closet and snuck in. Or are you working here? Catering, perhaps?”

“I was invited,” I said evenly, refusing to spend more time talking to them.

“You?” Jane laughed sharply, a sound that carried and made several guests nearby glance over. “Oh, please. Who in their right mind would invite you?”

“You should be ashamed of yourself.” Clarissa’s tone was colder now, her voice rising. “Coming to a party like this, embarrassing yourself and us with your pitiful schemes.”

She lifted her hand, signaling sharply toward a group of nearby guards.

I wanted to lash out, but the anger rising in my chest might end up making me embarrass Kelvin.

“You can’t just—” I started, but she cut me off.

“Guards!” Her shrill voice echoed, attracting the guests. “Remove her! Now!”

I froze, my body tensing as two muscular men in suits approached. I could feel every eye on me, judging and mocking.

“Excuse me, miss,” one of the guards said firmly, “do you have an invitation?”

“I—”

“She doesn’t!” Clarissa interrupted before I could respond, smirking maliciously. “She’s just some shameless girl trying to sneak in and prey on rich men.”

The guard looked at me again, more suspicious now.

Before I could decide what to do, argue or let them drag me out…

“Is there a problem?”

The voice came from behind me. It seemed to be someone of stature since it was enough to make Clarissa’s face instantly pale. I turned slightly and saw him—Kelvin, looking sharp and in command as ever, walking toward us with all the ease of a man who knew he owned the room.

The guards stepped back instantly, their expressions tight with unease.

Clarissa's confidence seemed to have doubled as she saw him, her smirk growing as Kelvin approached. He barely spared her a glance, his focus entirely on me.

Kelvin’s eyes flicked to the guards, his calm expression unshaken. “I asked a question,” he repeated, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

Jane felt bold by what she assumed was her advantage, put on her most condescending smile. “Oh, Mr. Aldoracco, I didn’t realize you were there.” She smiled leeringly at him

Then she gestured towards me as though I were a nuisance to be discarded. “She was sneaking in, clearly trying to cause trouble.”

Kelvin’s attention didn’t waver, his emerald eyes locked onto mine. He seemed bored already with whatever game Jane was playing.

“Is that so?” he murmured, his voice betraying not a hint of emotion.

“I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s best to have her escorted out,” Clarissa said, her smile stretching smugly. Jane gave a disdainful sniff, as though the matter was already settled.

Kelvin didn’t answer her. Instead, his hand slid casually to a nearby waiter’s tray, picking up a glass of wine. Without a word, he held it out to me.

“For the trouble,” he said simply, his lips curving ever so slightly at the corners.

I stared at him for a moment, his words sinking in. It wasn’t just a glass of wine—it was permission.

Every eye around us seemed to zero in on my next move.

“Thank you,” I said evenly, lifting the glass. My fingers tingled with satisfaction as I turned toward Jane, who looked both stupid and confused.

Her confusion turned to shock as the cold liquid splashed over her expensive designer gown. Her mouth fell open in disbelief.

“Lauren!” she screeched, her hands flying to her ruined dress. “You… how dare you!”

Clarissa's shriek followed in quick succession. “You insolent little—”

“Careful,” Kelvin interrupted, his tone sharp and quiet, but no less commanding. “You’re speaking to my wife.”

The room fell silent, gasps rippling through the guests like wildfire. Clarissa’s face drained of color, and Jane looked utterly dumbstruck, her rage transforming into fear.

Kelvin turned to the guards, his tone clipped and dismissive. “Remove them. Now.”

“Wait…no…you can’t do this!” Clarissa stammered as the guards moved toward her and Jane. “Mr. Aldoracco, you don’t understand! She’s…she’s a disgrace!”

Kelvin’s gaze hardened. “You’ve already embarrassed yourself enough for one evening. Take your daughter and get out.”

The guards seized them by the arms, dragging them toward the exit as they rambled protests. Jane’s wails echoed through the hall, but no one moved to stop it.

As the double doors slammed shut, Kelvin turned to me with an unreadable expression.

“Well?” he said, his voice low. “Do I even want to know what that was about?”

I held his gaze, steady despite the whirlwind of emotions buzzing in my chest. “Probably not.”

A ghost of a smile curved his lips. “Good. Keep it that way.”

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, but then he turned around suddenly. “Tonight we will be performing your ritual rites. Get ready Lauren.”

“Ritual what?” I thought in alarm, but he was already walking off. Just what on earth have I gotten myself into?