5 Chapter 5 - Gala Provocation 5 Chapter 5 - Gala Provocation The Metropolitan Museum's winter gala sparkled like something out of a modern fairy tale. Light refracted off crystal installations, casting diamond-shaped patterns across tuxedos and champagne flutes. Caroline Monroe entered with precision timing-just late enough to command attention, just early enough to seem effortless. 1 She wore red. Not just any red. A crimson silk gown she'd sketched herself-draped, slit, unapologetically bold. A silent message stitched into every seam: *I am still here.* The cameras loved her. Flash after flash. Socialites whispered. And then- "Iris Caldwell," someone gasped near the bar. Caroline turned. Iris was walking in through the side corridor, hair in soft waves, wearing a silver slip dress that shimmered like moonlight. Not a designer piece, but it clung in all the right places. She looked like she didn't belong, yet owned every step. Of course she'd find her way in. She always did. Caroline's heart beat faster-not from fear, but fury. She moved toward the east wing, needing air. But fate rerouted her into the marble alcove near the main stairwell. And right into Iris. "Well, well," Iris said, eyeing the red gown. "Trying to be the fire to his ice?" Caroline didn't flinch. "You always did enjoy sneaking into places uninvited." Iris smirked. "And you always pretend you're not rattled." "I'm not rattled." 10.10 116 < 5 Chapter 5 - Gala Provocation "You're shaking," Iris said, lightly brushing a finger along the engagement ring. "Still playing fiancée?" "I am the fiancée," Caroline said evenly. "For now." Caroline's jaw set. "You're not even part of his life anymore." Iris leaned in, her breath warm and deliberate. "Convenience doesn't win. Mason isn't a spreadsheet. He's a melody, Caroline. One you'll never hear in tune." Caroline stared at her. "That's rich-coming from the girl who skipped Paris for a man who never chose her, either." Iris's eyes flashed, but she smiled again. "Tell yourself whatever you need to. But deep down, you know who he looks for when the room gets too loud." "Let's find out," Caroline said coolly, stepping past her. The tension followed them into the gallery floor like a trailing ribbon. Mason stood near the Degas exhibit, glass of bourbon in hand, listening absently to an older investor drone on about textile futures. Then he saw them-Caroline on the left, Iris on the right. Both headed his way. His grip tightened. "Excuse me," he muttered, stepping away. The investor barely noticed. Mason met them halfway. "What the hell is going on?" Iris shrugged, "I was invited. Music director wanted me to play a set, remember?" He looked at her. "That was months ago. 16 16 218 < 5 Chapter 5 - Gala Provocation Caroline folded her arms. "You didn't think I'd notice her just strolling in, all dressed like a sad little ghost?" "Can we not do this here?" he hissed. Iris pouted. "Afraid the press will see your little triangle?" Caroline glanced around. A few onlookers already watched with interest. "Too late." Mason exhaled sharply. "Let's go outside. All of us." "No," Caroline said, stepping back. "I'm not part of your drama spiral anymore." "Mason," Iris whispered, reaching for his arm, "she's making a scene-" He pulled away instinctively. Caroline caught it. So did everyone else. Then- *CRACK!* A gunshot rang out. Screams. Chaos exploded again-only this time, it was real. Five masked gunmen flooded the entrance. One fired into the air again. "Nobody move!" The room froze. Caroline ducked instinctively, heart pounding, the memory of a nightmare looping on repeat. She felt someone grab her arm-hard. She twisted around. One of the gunmen shoved her toward the grand piano, along with Iris. "Two pretty ones," he sneered. "VIPS, yeah?" 10:11 3/5 < 5 Chapter 5 - Gala Provocation Mason surged forward. "Don't touch them!" Another assailant struck him with the butt of a rifle. He staggered, but didn't fall. Caroline and Iris were hauled to the floor, hands tied behind their backs. Through the haze of fear, Caroline watched as Mason wrestled one of the attackers near the sculpture gallery. He slammed him into a pedestal, knocking over a marble bust. The thief dropped his gun. Mason grabbed it. The room shifted. One of the gunmen shouted, "We've got your girls! You want this punk back, you give us someone." "What?" Mason shouted. "A trade," the leader said with a grin. "One hostage for one of ours. But only one girl gets out." The entire ballroom gasped. Caroline's heart cracked open. Iris whimpered beside her. "Mason... please..." Caroline didn't move. Didn't speak. Mason stood frozen. His eyes darted between the two women-one pleading, one silent. The silence stretched like wire. Then Mason said, "Let Iris go." Boom. That was the sound inside Caroline's chest. The gunmen nodded. "Alright then. Pianist gets to walk." They cut Iris's restraints. 4/5 < 5 Chapter 5 - Gala Provocation Iris crawled toward Mason. He reached out instinctively, shielding her as if she might break. Caroline's eyes blurred. Through the haze she saw Mason glance at her. Just once. She didn't flinch. She didn't beg. She just watched him turn away again. And then she was yanked to her feet, bound and gagged, and dragged into the shadows. Somewhere behind her, Iris sobbed into Mason's chest. Caroline didn't look back. Not this time. Comment O Leave the first comment for this chapter. Vote 5 Show support to the author by leaving comments when sending gift. 10:11 Swipe Left To Continue > 图 Send Gifts 515