CHAPTER 37: RISKY PLAN

Tracy struggles to sit as gracefully as she can, the stiff fabric of her glittering gown refusing to cooperate damn this stupid dress , i should have altered it a bit if i knew it was going to be this difficult she thought to herself . She exhales sharply, fanning herself as strands of hair fall onto her forehead. Annoyed, she blows them away with a huff and props her elbow on the table.

Across the ballroom, Hunter stands tall and distant, surrounded by high-ranking guests. His expression is unreadable, focused entirely on them, never once glancing her way.

"Getting him to notice me is way harder than I thought," she mutters, shoving a pastry into her mouth. Earlier he refused the dance with a flimsy excuse which pissed Tracy off but not like she can show it , what was his deal after looking at Lucien for a while then refuse to dance

Before she can complain again, her mother slips into the chair across from her. Tracy jolts upright, smiling too wide as she pushes her hair back.

"Mother," she laughs nervously. Shit when did she get here?

"You’re failing to get his attention, isn’t it?" her mother says flatly.

Tracy freezes. "I—" no words came out , of course she knew her mother would be the first to notice

"But don’t worry. Your mother always thinks ahead of time."

She slides a tiny glass vial across the table.

Tracy’s eyes widen as she noticed what it was. She snatches it immediately, darting her gaze around to see if anyone noticed. Heart racing, she leans closer.

"Mother, I don’t think I can do this. This is taking things way too far," she whispers.

Her mother’s face hardens. "Continue acting like a child and we lose our chance of becoming part of the Dastin family. Between that" she nods at the vial "and the lingerie I gave you, Hunter will be all over you before dawn, at least for that part don’t mess it up."

"But this is like forcing him to look at me—"

"Yes," her mother cuts in. "But it’s the only way to attract his attention."

Her gaze shifts to Hunter in the distance. "Tonight, you and he are sharing the same suite. I expect you to execute the plan wonderfully."

Tracy forces a smile, she had so much to say , to argue , but when it came to her mother , she always finds herself agreeing to everything than disagreeing "I will make you proud, Mother. Rest assured."

She gives a shaky thumbs-up.

Her mother stares at the gesture, unimpressed, then rises.

"I hope you do. Now excuse me, I must meet our potential in-laws and speak highly of us."

Once she’s gone, Tracy releases a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

"Oh, mother of heels..."

She stares at the vial, her stomach twisting. Im i really going to do this ?

Across the room, Mrs. Gray nurses her glass of wine, eyes narrowed at Mr and Mrs Dastin, looking as if the world revolve around them with that status and power they held

"Enjoy your fame while it lasts," she mutters bitterly. "Sooner or later, it will crumble, and i will be the one looking down on you when it all happens"

Her gaze locks onto Lucien. A slow, dangerous smile curls her lips. She approaches him like a serpent.

"Well, well, well... if it isn’t the Dastin son. The omega one," she taunts.

Lucien barely looks at her. "How may I help you?" he says, already annoyed.

"I wanted to congratulate you on winning the first round. I know you were the one who helped Hunter. Everyone must be so proud." Her smile is sharp, mocking.

"And?..." Lucien asks, expression flat.

Mrs. Gray’s eye twitches, but she forces a laugh. "Rude. But I suppose that’s expected from the Dastin ome—"

"Lucien," he interrupts.

"What?"

"My name is Lucien. I appreciate the congratulations, but I don’t need approval from the likes of you. Let’s keep our... relationship as it is and not dwell further."

He walks past her without another glance.

Mrs. Gray gulps her wine and mutters, "So stubborn... just like your mother." She looked at the retreating figure of Lucie for a while .

Her eyes flick to Timothy across the room.

"Soon, I’ll be sending you to join her. And then... Timothy will be the only living twin."

Merida approaches Hunter with a gentle smile.

"So... are you enjoying the night?"

"Nothing out of the usual, I suppose," he replies.

Her smile falters. "Really? It’s supposed to be your night. You have a cute girl like Tracy waiting to be your wife." She said and Hunter does not respond back, spoilt brat

She sighs and hands him a key. "This is the key to your suite. Be careful, the owner said it only unlocks from the outside. They still need to fix it." , Hunter took the key as he looked at them

Just then, Tracy appears, holding a glass of champagne. Merida brightens.

"Tracy, dear, come stand beside me. I hope you’re enjoying yourself."

"I’m having the best time of my life," Tracy says sweetly, sneaking a glance at Hunter, who still doesn’t look at her.

She offers him the champagne.

"I brought you a glass. Just for you." She hesitantly said as she raised the glass at his direction

"I don’t want it," Hunter says coldly.

Merida glares at him. He hesitates... then sighs, takes the glass without a word, and walks away.

Merida pats Tracy’s shoulder for comfort . "He may act like a dork now, but he’s a sweetheart. Give him time to open up. Besides... tonight, you’ll be spending time alone together." She tried to reassure her "you are going to be the best daughter in law i know of it "

Tracy’s eyes widen. Perfect. her plan ....Her mother’s plan actually ... was falling right into place.

"Really? Then maybe I can know the room number? We might connect better if we’re alone." She said sweetly ,once Hunter drink that champagne it will be game over for him

Merida smiles and gives it to her.

Tracy beams and nodded . Tonight... everything will fall into place.

Hunter searches the crowd, scanning urgently for Lucien, tonight he never really talked to Lucien , and the chiquittin had been ignoring him the whole , he could try to ignore it but damn was it troubling his heart worder than he thought . Just as he raises the champagne to drink, Timothy pops out of nowhere snatches it and downs it in one go.

Hunter stares, deadpan.

Timothy wipes his mouth. "Congratulations on your soon-to-be marriage. And the win at the elimination round ,Beginner’s luck." He bitterly said " just be careful , the next round ill be crushing you , and they will be no Lucien saving you in that one"

Hunter just looked at him blanky which pissed Timothy even further , to urge to just grab him by the collar and throw a sweet punch across his face , but he cant do it , with 100 of eyes all around them

He snatches the room key from Hunter’s hand.

"And I’ll be taking this also." He smirked

Hunter folds his arms. "You done? I’ve got more important things to handle."

He spots Lucien at a distance and doesn’t spare a second and leaves immediately. Timothy stood there on the same spot , he curses under his breath , he was irritated so badly and Hunters no response triggered him even more ,he glanced at the key he got from Hunter.

"Needed a shower and sleep anyway," he shrugs, not complaining , at least he will be sleeping at a suite tonight

Later that night, Tracy scans the emptying ballroom.

No signs of Hunter.

"The drug must be working by now," she whispers.

"I bet he’s in the suite already..."

She hurries down the quiet hallway , i have to make sure im there when the drug takes its course, thats the only way i can finally connect with Hunter ,she stops at the room as she took deep breaths to compose herself ,she knocks.

No answer.....

She knocks again

No answer

She lets herself in, and luckily the door was unlocked

She looks around the empty room for any sign of him

The shower runs behind the bathroom door.

Tracy grins nervously , "good he is here , now to execute my final plan" she said as she undresses, leaving only the lingerie. She adjusts her hair, breathing heavily.

"This has to work," she whispers.. she looked at herself and she blushed , she felt so ridiculous

Just to calm her nerves, she grabs a bottle of wine and chugs half of it, she put it down as she heavily exhaled and she sat on the bed

The bathroom door opens.

Tracy flinches "its time" she said and she was already on it . she poses on the bed, seductive, ready—

And she freezes.

Timothy steps out, hair dripping, a towel barely hanging onto his waist.

They stare at each other in pure shock.

Tracy screams first. "BATHROOM GUY?!"

Timothy points right back at her. "PEEPING TOM?!"