Semua Bab Cinderella and Her Three Knights: Bab 11 - Bab 15

Ella’s POVI stepped back into the heart of the party, the music soft and expensive, the laughter carefully measured. Nothing here was accidental. Not the lighting. Not the smiles. Not the way people stood close enough to hear secrets but far enough to deny it later.Adrian was still surrounded by men in tailored suits, his posture perfect, his laugh brief and controlled.Julian stood a little apart, deep in conversation with two collectors, his expression calm, attentive, giving nothing away.Evan was impossible to miss—grinning for photos, signing programs, leaning in close to fans like he had known them his whole life.And Lucian—Lucian was in the corner.Alone.He leaned against a marble pillar, one shoulder pressed into stone, drink in hand. He didn’t talk. Didn’t smile. Didn’t pretend. He just watched the room like it was something he had already conquered and grown bored of.I looked away first.I moved toward a table near the edge of the hall, needing air, needing space. A gr

Ella’s POVI slid into the back seat of the cab like I was running from something that might still grab my ankle.“Estate address,” I said quickly.The driver nodded and pulled away.My hands wouldn’t stop shaking.I pressed them together in my lap, forcing my breathing to slow—four counts in, six counts out—but my heart refused to listen. It kept racing, pounding against my ribs like it wanted out.My phone buzzed.I flinched before looking.Chairman’s Secretary.I answered on the second ring. “Hello?”Her voice was calmer now, professional, but edged with concern. “Ella, I’m sorry if I startled you earlier. I just wanted to make sure everything was alright.”“Yes,” I said too fast, then corrected myself. “Yes—everything’s fine. I’m sorry about the beeps. My phone was acting up. I didn’t mean to worry you.”A pause.“I see,” she said. “You sounded… rushed.”“I was,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. “I stepped out briefly and realized I needed to return to the estate. Nothing s