Chapter 2

Less than ten minutes later, the drugs kicked in.

Chloe's cheeks were flushed with an unnatural color, her eyes began to glaze over, and her body swayed, slumping onto the sofa.

"Alice... I'm so dizzy... Is this drink..." She weakly clutched my sleeve, her voice already slurring.

I watched her with cold eyes, then grabbed her wrist and pulled her off the sofa.

"Dizzy? Good. The game's about to start." I leaned close to her ear, my voice soft like a whisper from hell. "Didn't you say the more real, the better?"

Half-supporting, half-dragging her, I steered her away from the chaotic party-goers in the room and straight towards the utility closet at the end of the hallway.

The hallway lights flickered dimly, and the air was thick with the pungent mix of cheap perfume and alcohol.

The utility closet door was ajar, a suffocating darkness seeping from within.

I pushed the door open and shoved the limp Chloe inside.

"Alice... What are you doing... Don't leave me alone..." Chloe fumbled in the darkness, her voice finally laced with genuine fear.

"Don't worry, your 'leading man' will be here any second."

I said coldly, then slammed the door shut, the click of the lock echoing.

With that done, I turned and walked into an empty room next door, pulled out my phone, and called Ethan.

The phone rang once before he answered.

"Where are you?" Ethan's voice was deep and husky, tinged with suppressed anxiety.

"The Scarlet Lounge, second floor." I leaned against the cold wall, listening to his voice, my eyes uncontrollably reddening.

In my previous life, he had held me, hands bloody, kissing my forehead repeatedly, saying, "Don't be scared, I'm here."

This time, I would never let him be tainted again.

"I'm on my way." The roar of a motorcycle engine sounded from the other end of the line.

"Ethan, listen to me." I took a deep breath, my tone more serious than ever. "No matter what you see or hear tonight, absolutely do not lay a hand on anyone. Bring your miniature camera and record everything."

The engine sound paused.

"Alice Stone, is someone bothering you?" His voice instantly turned ice-cold, radiating palpable killing intent.

"No," I softened my voice, a hint of reassurance in my tone. "But I need you to help me expose a fraud. Remember, no physical contact, just record. If you so much as throw a punch, I'll never speak to you again."

There was silence on the other end for a full five seconds.

"Fine, I'll do as you say," he agreed, gritting his teeth.

Hanging up, I walked to a surveillance blind spot at the hallway corner, watching the utility closet.

Three minutes later, a man in a black baseball cap and mask skulked furtively down the hallway.

He glanced around, pulled a spare key from his pocket, and inserted it into the closet lock.

The door opened, and the man slipped inside.

Almost simultaneously, a muffled gasp came from the closet, followed by the sound of tearing clothes and the man's heavy breathing.

"Baby, don't hide, Chloe said you love a thrill..."

"Get off me! Don't touch me! I'm Chloe! Help—"

Chloe's shrill screams pierced through the door, echoing in the hallway.

I stood emotionless in the shadows, pulled out my phone, and opened the 911 dialing screen.

"Hello, 911? Abandoned storage room on the second floor of The Scarlet Lounge, someone is being sexually assaulted."

After hanging up, I looked down the hallway. Ethan's tall, imposing figure strode towards me.

He wore a black jacket, his eyes sharp, radiating a menacing aura that kept people away.

Seeing me safe and sound in the corner, his taut jawline finally relaxed a bit. He took a large stride and pulled me into his arms.

His heart raced, and his embrace was so tight it almost broke my bones.

"I'm fine." I hugged him back, pressing my cheek against his firm chest, inhaling the familiar scent of mint and tobacco. The ice in my heart finally cracked.

"Who's in there?" His gaze was fixed on the door, from which screams and thuds continued.

"A rotten person getting what they deserve." I pulled back from his embrace and straightened his collar. "Is the recording on?"

Ethan nodded, pointing to the discreet camera on his chest.

"Good." I took his hand. "Now, let's go enjoy the climax of this show."