Genevieve stumbled back a step, her face drained of color.

Everyone had seen how harshly she’d gone after Charlotte earlier, and now, not one soul stepped up to defend her.

Charlotte tugged at Wesley’s sleeve and whispered, “Let’s just leave her be. There are so many people here–the whole party can’t grind to a halt just because of her, right?”

Wesley snapped out of his thoughts and grinned. “Look at me,pletely forgetting.” He turned to Sean. “Dad, can we get this party started?”

Sean nodded and began to wee the guests. The crowd dispersed, breaking off into little groups,ughing, chatting, and sipping their drinks. Genevieve stood frozen, isted. The other socialites, eager to avoid any awkwardness, didn’t even bothering over to greet her.

When had she ever been humiliated like this?

Was it when she first started targeting Charlotte?

Or was it when Charlotte finally pushed back?

It seemed like ever since then, nothing had gone her way…

Feeling utterly alone, Genevieve couldn’t muster the courage to linger. She turned and left the party.

Meanwhile, Charlotte and Wesley took to the floor for the first waltz. No one spared a thought for Genevieve’s departure–most didn’t even notice she’d gone.

“Didn’t know my little sister could waltz this well,” Wesley said, shing a knowing smile.

Charlotte nced up at him. “Are you underestimating me?”

Wesleyughed. “Honestly, it’s hard to imagine letting you dance with

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anyone else.” He shot a look at Judd, knowing the next variation meant it was time to switch partners.

As Wesley gently let go of Charlotte’s hand, intending to pass her to Judd, a masked man suddenly stepped in, intercepting her before anyone

could react.

In the blink of an eye, the masked man had imed Charlotte as his partner, leaving both Wesley and Judd momentarily stunned, watching as she was swept away.

Charlotte rested her hand on the masked man’s shoulder, peering up at the face half–hidden behind the mask. Her heart gave a sudden, anxious

flutter.

His build, his eyes, his features–he looked so much like Evander, except for the unfamiliar scent of his cologne.

The man met her gaze for a brief second, then looked away, impassive. He guided her through the dance with effortless precision.

Charlotte let out a self–mocking smile as she remembered hearing that Evander had gone abroad to recover from his injuries. There’s no way it

could be him…

Bound by etiquette, Wesley and Judd couldn’t simply walk off the dance floor, so they kept dancing with their new partners.

When the waltz finally ended, the masked man released Charlotte and slipped away into the crowd. She followed his retreating figure with her eyes, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.

Judd came up beside her, following her line of sight. “Do you know him?”

Charlotte shook her head, tearing her gaze away. “…No. I don’t.”

Just then, a sudden scream pierced the air. “A snake!”

Judd instinctively pulled Charlotte behind him as panic swept through the crowd.

“It’s a coral snake! It’s poisonous! Everyone stay back!” Sean called out,

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trying to restore order. He yelled for the security guards. “Get rid of it, now!”

The slender, banded snake slithered under the tables and chairs. Agitated by themotion, it reared up, hissing defensively as the guards approached with batons.

Loretta, who’d been frozen in shock, realized in horror that the box she’d brought must havee open. But–how could there be a poisonous snake inside? She’d been told it was just a harmless little snake!

There was no time to think. The crowd surged, and someone identally shoved her, sending her sprawling—straight in front of the snake.

With lightning speed, the coral snake struck, sinking its fangs into her

arm.

The guards killed the snake, but the only sound left in the room was Loretta’s frantic sobbing.

Before the ambnce arrived, Charlotte quickly tied a tourniquet above the bite. “Don’t try to get up. Don’t move at all. And most importantly, stay calm–otherwise the venom will spread to your heart faster.”

Loretta trembled. “Am I going to die?”

Charlotte met her eyes. “You’ll be fine.”

“Why are iyou /ihelping me?”

Charlotte paused, then answered quietly, “Because I’m a doctor.”

The paramedics arrived, lowered the stretcher, and carried Loretta out to the waiting ambnce.

Sean told Wesley ito /ilook after the guests, then left with the guards to follow the ambnce–after all, Loretta was their guest in the city, and whether or not she was a Rayburn by blood, he couldn’t just stand by.

Wesley moved to reassure the shaken guests, while Judd stayed by Charlotte’s side.

Judd escorted Charlotte into the lounge, but just as they entered, every light in the house flickered out.

They were plunged into total darkness.