Chapter 8 Before the banquet began, Lucien leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. "Celeste, tonight's an important evening. The manor will be full of nobles. Stay here and be good. Don't wander." But the moment he stepped out, the door creaked open once again. Harrow entered, eyes dull and glassy, like a puppet being controlled by invisible strings. He ignored my retreat, my struggle, even the low snarl rising from my throat. Without a word, he dragged me straight to the grand banquet hall, where nobles filled the room and soft piano music drifted through the air. At the center of the room, basking in praise and admiration, stood Lilith Davenport. "I never imagined a vampire hunter's daughter could gain such powerful abilities and bloodline after turning. Your were born human, but you're already stronger-purer-than most vampires born into the bloodline." "It must be because of the prince. A human turned by a pureblood prince is naturally far superior to an ordinary high-ranking vampire." Lilith gave a modest smile, then let her voice drop in mock carelessness. "Well…I wasn't the only one. Someone else also received the prince's Embrace. Today marks her seventh day as well. I wonder what… kind she's become and what ablility she awakened." At these words, murmurs of curiosity swept through the room. "Is she talking about that human songbird the prince brought back?" "Celeste Winslow, right? Her scent was unique. Her blood didn't smell like a normal human's at all. I'm dying to know which of the prince's abilities she might have inherited." As the whispers around me grew louder, Lucien's expression darkened, his voice sharp with tension. "What nonsense are you spouting? Celeste never received my Embrace." Startled by his anger and the pressure he released, Lilith flinched for a brief moment. But she recovered quickly, dropping her voice as if afraid to be overheard. "My lord… I only assumed. You've been feeding her your blood for seven nights. It seemed like she must've… inherited something. Maybe more than one of your abilities." Gasps rippled through the room. "The prince's pureblood is precious beyond measure, yet he gave her his blood for seven days?!" "If she's consumed that much pureblood… gods, how many powers has she awakened?" A flurry of voices joined in, urging Lucien to bring me forward, begging to see what I had become. Chapter 8 9.88% His hands curled into fists at his sides, then loosened. Then clenched again. "Celeste hasn't completed her transformation," he said through gritted teeth. "She's not ready to be seen-" But before he could finish, Harrow shoved me into the room. "She's completed the transformation, my lord. I've brought her as requested." The crowd swarmed toward me, their eyes full of curiosity and excitement, eager to get close. But I recoiled in fear and suspicion, curling against the nearest wall, snarling with warning low in my throat. A noble gasped and took a step back. "Good God… she's a stray." In vampire courts, stray dog was a slur reserved for Ferals, used only to elevate the nobility's own sense of purity. The room erupted in shocked whispers. "She is! I've seen her before-she used to be normal. Now she's completely lost her mind. A true stray." "She drank the prince's blood for seven nights… and still turned into that? This is unheard of! What kind of wretched filth runs through her veins?" "This is disgraceful - to the prince And to all of us! She should be executed at once-before she stains the court any further." Title: "Twists of Fate: Embracing Family Ties with Three Powerful Brothers" Author: CrushReel Genre: Billionaire, CEO, Sweet Romance, Modern, Romantic, Office, Drama Status: ongoing Embarking on the path to marriage, she faced a sudden heartbreak as her fiancé called it quits. Amidst the shattered dreams, a surprising revelation awaited at her engagement celebration. Three influential brothers unveiled her true identity as their long-lost sister, reshaping her world in unexpected ways. Navigating through the complexities of newfound family connections and the opulence of their high-stakes world, she grapples with the essence of wealth beyond material possessions. As bonds of blood intertwine with the allure of power and love, she finds herself at a crossroads where loyalty, ambition, and affection collide in a captivating dance of emotions. Set against the backdrop of ambition-driven CEOs and the tender nuances of modern romance, this tale weaves together themes of self-discovery, familial bonds, and the intricate dynamics of office politics. With each chapter unraveling layers of secrets and desires, readers are drawn into a narrative that blends drama with heartfelt moments of connection. Distinguished by its blend of sweet romance and compelling drama, "Twists of Fate" offers a unique perspective on love, ambition, and the transformative power of family ties. Available to read at CrushReel for those seeking a captivating journey through the intertwined lives of three powerful brothers and the sister they never knew they had.