lia'

ion. Maria, the maid, had helped me get ready for the

ined. But underneath the surface, I was still

calm my nerves. I had to get thr

ecklace glinting in the light. Marco's token,

but I pushed it down. I h

. He looked... stunning, dressed in a tailored tuxedo th

utiful," he said, his

t I tried to play it cool. "Thanks,"

ok it, feeling a surge of trepidat

of the party. There were hundreds of people, all dressed i

o various people along the way. I tried to keep t

more overwhelmed. The music was loud, the light

rowning, suffocatin

man standing across the room, watching me

And what d

run down my spine. I was in trouble

nd followed my gaze. His eyes

et my... associate," he sai

ne, and I felt a surge of fe

ked, trying to ke

at, Emilia, is Viktor. He's..

ere was something about

Viktor again and again. He was... mesmerizing,

Viktor was a mystery, and I di

leaned in close. "Emilia, I think it'

. I was ready to get out of there,

s locked onto mine. And I knew that I w

lia'

that Viktor's eyes had left on me. It was as if he co

my arm. "Don't worry about Viktor, Emilia," he said. "He's

couldn't shake off the feeling that the

aria, who was waiting up for me. "How was the party,

replied, trying to process

to take in," she said. "But don't worry, you'll get

intrigued. "What do

"I shouldn't have said that," she said qui

ad sparked something in me, a curiosit

questions. What secrets was Maria hiding? And

er the truth about my family's past

promise to myself. I would uncover

ed. I was going to start digging, to uncover

hints that might lead me to the truth. I searched through the libr

hidden room deep in the basement. It was small, wi

rt racing with excitement. And then, I sa

g with anticipation. And wha

father. And it revealed a secre

I, we were involved with the De Lucas a long time ago. We were part of their... organiz

ut. What organization? And what did m

my heart racing

powerful. And they'll stop at nothing to get what they want.

t had my parents gotten themselves in

se behind me. I turned to see Marco standing in

doing?" he asked, hi

ay calm. "I was just... looking for somet

were you looking for, Emili

But then, I remembered the letter.

, my voice steady. "About my family,

anged, his eyes glint

ce low and smooth. "You're so