Chapter 4

"Shianna! Let's talk about it! Don't dismiss me!"

I kept walking away, ignoring Mom, who was chasing after me.

"Shianna!" When she managed to grab my arm, I reacted violently. I gave her a cold stare, causing Mom to release my arm immediately.

"What is it?" I stepped closer to her, smiling sarcastically. Her eyes widened slightly, and she took a step back. "What do you want us to discuss? Is there anything else we should talk about?"

Mom looked at me for a long time before bitterly laughing as if she were secretly in pain.

"You've changed."

I took a deep breath and was about to say something when I noticed my stepfather hastily approaching us. When I gave him a blank stare, he immediately stopped running.

"Honey." My stepfather went to my Mom. He had a grim face when he turned to face me.

"I can't believe you made your mother chase after you. Are you that disrespectful?"

"Wow." I blinked and turned to face the onlookers in the distance. The reporters wanted to go near, but they couldn't because a few guards blocked their path. "I didn't realize I was the one disrespecting here, Dad," I said emphatically, causing him to pause for a moment. I was sure he remembered the sin he committed while my father was still alive.

I tried to extend my patience by blowing air. I turned to some guests and finally just sighed. "The main event will begin shortly." I looked at Mom with a sheepish grin. "Mom, have fun at this party. Don't be concerned, although I'm sure you missed me. You are a good mother, don't you?" My face darkened before I decided to turn away from them entirely.

"Shianna!" I continued to walk away, ignoring my mother's call. When I got close to the guests, the emcee of this party spoke as well.

"And now... The moment that everyone has been waiting for has arrived! Please join me in applauding as we welcome the families who attended the Kalinga Charity grand opening!"

"Are you ready, Miss Shian?" Cayer approached me and stood next to me.

"I'm always prepared, Cayer." I sarcastically smiled and then looked around at the people cheering. The flash of the cameras struck me, causing my smile to fade. I looked at the press, but my attention was drawn elsewhere. I was stunned for a moment before looking away.

Vincent.

"Now we begin; I will announce the people who have decided to compete in the parents or head section. To clarify, Kalinga Charity is a large project created by the heads of families and the Viacera clan! To provide the children with the love and care they desired, the families involved decided to hold a competition."

"A competition, you say?" To keep from laughing, I folded my arms and looked in the other direction.

This charity was not founded solely on the generosity of wealthy families. This charity was established to demonstrate that every family had a good reputation. That everyone's relationship was good despite the fact that no one got along.

"There are several sections in this competition. For example, anyone wishing to lead Kalinga Charity must compete in the parents' section. Meanwhile, those who want to work for the charity will compete in other departments, such as aunts, uncles, cousins, and so on.

"However," the emcee added. "Every position carries a great deal of responsibility. If someone wins the parents' section and becomes the Kalinga Charity Head, they will be responsible for the orphans."

"We know that!" A drunken man laughed and raised the glass of wine he was holding. "Why don't we skip to the moment everyone is waiting for?"

The emcee smiled and returned his attention to the card in his hand. "All right, then. I begin calling the families!"

"Cayer." I moved in closer to whisper to him. "What about the kids?"

"Ashy and Nash were playing with other kids." Cayer stood up formally, noticing that the crowd's attention was still on us.

"Good." A waiter brought wine, so I took one from him. I took a sip of the wine and looked at my surroundings.

"Something doesn't seem right." My pupils constricted slightly. "How many guards are there?"

"I noticed it too, Miss Shian." Cayer's expression became blank as he secretly observed the people. "Should we withdraw?"

"Send the children home."

When the emcee began calling out the names of the competing families, I moved to the front of the crowd. Cayer, in the meantime, took my wineglass and walked away.

"We have Owen from the Valderama family, who is included in the parents' section. Everyone, please give him a round of applause!"

A dark-haired man in a black suit and tie approached the grand entrance. When he accidentally looked at me, I immediately noticed his scrutinizing eyes. I immediately raised an eyebrow when he smirked.

What the hell?

The emcee called again, and the people mentioned entered a grand building with sly smiles on their lips. To others, it appeared to be just a regular smile. Well, those of us who have known each other for a long time already know what kind of smile was bestowed upon each person mentioned by the emcee.

"And now! We have the Viacera Clan—" When the emcee noticed something on the card he was holding, he immediately frowned. "Why is it blank?" The emcee rechecked his card but couldn't find a single name.

"Hmm." When I started walking in front of everyone, he looked up and was about to mention another family. "I believe you've forgotten about me, sir." I came to a halt and smiled sweetly. "Can you tell me if I'm not welcome here?"

"Miss Shianna." The emcee's deep swallow was heard throughout the venue. As a result, a new murmur of people began.

"Will she participate in the competition?"

"That's ridiculous."

"Does her family already know?"

"I doubt it. They're also not here. I doubt they'll even show up to the party."

"Seriously?" A woman had the audacity to approach me. I recognized her right away because she came from a prominent family. "Stop destroying the show, Shianna! You are not welcome!"

"Long time no see, Chanel. Did you miss me?" I smirked at her, making her eyes widen with rage.

"Y-You!" Chanel was about to slap me when someone interrupted her. We both turned to look at the man casually walking while surrounded by a swarm of bodyguards. On either side of him, his two sisters accompanied him. While walking, Vincent's two sisters looked at me blankly. The hems of their dark blue evening gowns were kissing the floor. Vincent's second sibling's long hair was untied, whereas his first younger sister's shiny black hair was neatly tied in a ponytail. The eldest sister had a stern expression on her face and eyes. Her naked lipstick looked good on her. Meanwhile, red lipstick looked good on a woman with long hair.

"Seriously? Bullying at a charity event?" Vincent looked at me before turning to face Chanel. But I couldn't help but notice his secret smile as he took his gaze away from me.

A mocking grin. An arrogant smile.

"Don't mess with us, Vincent." Chanel gulped and took a step back as she noticed Vincent approaching us. I frowned slightly as I saw the beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she swallowed one after the other.

Was Vincent frightening?

Vincent halted in front of Chanel and me, tilting his head to look at me. My brows would have almost touched if the tattoo on his neck hadn't caught my attention.

"Fine! Shianna, you're very fortunate! Vincent has arrived to wean me. Otherwise, you'll end up in the hospital." Chanel's final words caused me to blink as I watched her walk away.

Seriously? Should I be concerned?

"So you've come to ruin the show, Shianna?" I returned my gaze to Vincent, and my eyes were drawn to his dragon tattoo. He noticed my stare and raised his brows slightly.

"Done checking me?" He offered his hand with a smile. "Should we then enter the building?"

"The guts," I unconsciously muttered. I took Vincent's hand and drew him closer, causing him to step toward me. I raised my head to speak into his ear. "Have you forgotten what occurred previously? Or do you have amnesia?"

I could hear him laughing softly. "I've resolved to forget trivial matters." He moved away from me, and the amused smile on his lips was visible. "If you want, we can repeat what happened before so that I can remember," he said as he grabbed my shoulder.

Jerk!

My blood began to boil. I was about to push him away when I realized how many people were now staring at us.

"Vincent..." In disbelief, I watched him step away. I took a deep breath. "Go to hell and burn."

"I'd love to be there with you." I couldn't help but reach for his hand when he extended it again. If only not because of the cameras, the man in front of me would have broken a bone.

"I don't have a date tonight." We entered the large building, followed by Vincent's sisters and bodyguards.

"Me too." I gave him a sweet smile and looked at him. He stared directly into the venue, but his eyes were still amused. I could tell he was relieved because the corners of his lips were slightly raised.

"That means we're using each other," I added as I parted ways with him after finally entering the building. Because there were no more cameras in this building, everyone was free to show their true colors.

"Vincent, I appreciate your company. I appreciated our moment, unlike the one we shared four years ago."

Vincent finally showed signs of amusement, almost covering his mouth to hide his smile. "Does that mean you didn't have fun that night—"

Oh my God!

My eyes widened, and I stepped back to avoid hearing what Vincent had to say next. I froze when I heard him laugh.

Heavens! He changed for the worse! Vincent must be pleased that I was not delighted with his actions.

When I remembered what I had done before, I almost slapped my forehead. It was only now that I realized how heinous my previous actions were! I vowed to myself that I would never drink again!

Under the influence of alcohol, I could do impossible things.

I could hear people whispering, but I ignored them. I went straight to an empty table and didn't notice the woman sitting next to me because I was still reeling from what had happened. Her body was encased in a long-sleeved black evening gown. It was also challenging to see her face because it was obscured by a black net attached to her oversized hat. My attention was drawn to her crimson lipstick. Because she was dressed in a long gown, it was impossible to see the woman's feet.

"Everyone is having a good time at the party." She pulled out a large fan, so I turned slightly toward her. When I heard her soft laugh, my hair stood up. She covered his lips with a fan.

"And what about you, Shianna?" I finally looked at her while she was looking at the stage directly. She didn't say anything else because another emcee took the initiative. When I noticed the children approaching the stage, I turned to face them.

"What is your name?" I looked at the woman, but she was already walking away, which surprised me. I stood up automatically, and since the event was about to begin, everyone's attention was drawn to me. Add to that the fact that their entire focus was on me.

"Miss Shianna?" asked the emcee. "Do you want to say something?"

I looked around at the guests. Mom was looking at me with one eyebrow raised. My half-brother and her man sat next to her.

I would never consider them a legal family.

Everyone calmed down after I returned to my seat. The staff gave the children microphones. Meanwhile, I looked around the venue and noticed fewer security guards. Without Vincent's security, it would have been obvious how unsafe the venue was.

"Good evening!" A child smiled sweetly at the guests smiling back. Their eyes showed that they were uninterested in what the children would do. Because they only want to interact with the children of wealthy families.

"I'm Rexia! I'm delighted to see you all!"

"Aww, that's cute!" exclaimed an elderly lady, and the guests laughed. The girl smiled even wider at the thought of genuinely making people happy.

"A-Ahm." The youngster gasped and coughed. When I saw Cayer carrying Nash on the second floor, I looked up. When I noticed Ashy wasn't by his side, I frowned.

What happened to my daughter? I thought they'd gone home.

'Mommy.' Nash opened his mouth. The fear on his face made me taken aback. Cayer, on the other hand, was serious. But, based on the quick change in his expression, I realized he was also concerned.

"Rexia, are you alright? Are you ill?"

"Please contact a doctor."

"Oh my goodness!"

When I saw Cayer come down through the expensive wooden stairs, I stood up. When I heard a scream, I turned to face the stage. And I saw the children losing consciousness one by one. Rexia was the last to fall, coughing up blood.

"The kids!"

"Mommy, Ashy is gone!" When I heard Nash sob, I turned back to him. When I listened to what my son said, my mind went blank for a brief moment.

"Mommy!" Suddenly, all the lights went out, enveloping the entire area in darkness. I ran towards Nash even though I couldn't see anyone as I heard screams.