Stellerton, Phoenix Terrace Hotel.
The petal-shaped crystal chandeliers above the banquet hall cast luxurious light, with elegantly dressed men and women coming and going, all with smiles on their faces.
It's a grand day for the engagement of the Radiant Group's eldest daughter and the Law Family's Second Young Master, nearly all the prominent figures in Stellerton have arrived!
On the hotel's third floor, as the leading lady of this engagement banquet, Cecilia Vaughn had just finished trying on her pure white engagement gown, her waist-length black hair styled into an exquisite bun.
Thinking about getting engaged to her boyfriend Tyson Law, Cecilia couldn't help but let a smile bloom on her lips, appearing even more charming and graceful.
—Finally, she could announce her and Tyson's wedding to everyone.
She and Tyson Law had known each other since childhood, went through middle school, and got into the same university, truly childhood sweethearts.
Everyone would bless them, wouldn't they?
How wonderful.
…
Just then, someone suddenly pushed the door open.
It was a girl in a purple dress, bright and enchanting, seemingly around Cecilia's age, with somewhat similar features.
It was none other than Cecilia's stepsister, Fiona Vaughn.
As soon as she saw Cecilia, her eyes flashed with an imperceptible jealousy towards Cecilia's custom-made engagement gown, but she quickly hid it.
"Sister, this dress is so beautiful! Tyson will definitely love it. I wish I could wear such a beautiful dress on my wedding day too!"
Cecilia turned around at Fiona's words, noticing her sister's sweet smile, but frowned slightly.
"What are you doing here?"
Cecilia and this half-sister had been at odds for years and had no inclination to fake pleasantries.
Back in middle school, a month after her mother's accidental death, her father brought Fiona and her mother home!
That's when Cecilia discovered that her father had been secretly supporting a mistress outside, and had an illegitimate daughter!
And the illegitimate daughter was her classmate, just over twenty days younger than her!
This news was like a bolt out of the blue to the then-teenaged Cecilia!
…
Fiona seemed oblivious to Cecilia's cold demeanor, her smile unchanged, her voice soft as water.
"Sis, don't always give me that look. Today you and Tyson are getting engaged, let me congratulate you first."
"Almost forgot the main thing, Dad said Tyson is stuck in traffic, so you're supposed to wait here and we'll come to greet you when he arrives."
What time is it, and still in traffic?
Cecilia turned to look at the clock in the room.
Taking advantage of her turning, Fiona discreetly poured some powder into the nearby water cup.
The powder dissolved instantly into the water, disappearing without a trace.
When Cecilia turned back, intending to ask Fiona which road Tyson was stuck on, the latter just grinned at her and left the room.
…
The dressing room was extremely quiet.
A hint of unease passed through Cecilia's heart for some unknown reason; she pressed her hand to her temple and picked up the water cup to take a few sips to calm herself.
Before long, the door was pushed open again.
The third floor of Phoenix Terrace Hotel was difficult for most people to access, let alone today being the engagement banquet, with strict guest scrutiny.
Cecilia thought Fiona had come back, but upon looking up, she saw a slick young man.
He seemed familiar, but she couldn't recall where they'd met.
His gaze was locked straight onto Cecilia's exposed shoulder, his eyes drooling greedily as if viewing Cecilia as a piece of meat.
"Eldest Miss Vaughn, you look absolutely stunning today!"
This kind of gaze made Cecilia very uncomfortable, she immediately coldly spoke up.
"Who are you? Leave, this is a private dressing room."
But the slick young man continued to leer at her, a vulgar smile on his face.
"Sweetheart, forget me already? Last month at the Stellerton University opening ceremony, I, representing the sophomore seniors, gave you flowers!"
The sight of him sent the alarm bells ringing in Cecilia's mind!
She instinctively wanted to escape, but the man immediately locked the door!
…
"Oh, the beauty wants to run? Be a good girl and come here!"
Before she could react, the man grabbed Cecilia's wrist and pinned her down against the vanity!
"Scum! Don't touch me! Get away!"
"Get lost!"
Cecilia shook in anger, wanting to flee but finding no way to retreat.
The worst part was her throat felt blocked as if filled with something, her voice pained, weak as a kitten.
She had no strength left, even resisting was difficult!
How could this happen?!
…
It seemed the man had anticipated this, his menacing smile made people sick.
"Hear you're getting engaged today, don't wait for the Second Young Master Law, let me make you a bride first!"
With that, he quickly began to undress!
Facing looming humiliation, horror and dread overwhelmed Cecilia, she bit her tongue hard, the taste of blood snapping her mind back to clarity.
Seizing upon his moment of distraction, Cecilia grabbed the nearby floor lamp, using all her remaining strength to smash it toward the man's head!
"Wretched woman, you dare hit me! I'll kill you!"
Blood trickled down the man's forehead, he looked at Cecilia in disbelief, violently furious, about to slap her!
Cecilia was terrified, without thinking she smashed the floor lamp at his head again.
With a loud crash!
"You—"
The lamp shattered on the ground, the man's eyes wide open, blood covered his face.
…
Did… did she kill someone?
Cecilia's breath caught.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the door, her stepsister Fiona's voice approaching urgently.
"Dad! I just saw Cecilia's phone at the front desk, half an hour ago there was a text saying she planned to meet a man in the dressing room, saying to 'end things well.'
"But isn't sis going to marry Tyson? End things with whom?"
"Could sis have been cheating on Tyson all this time?"
…
Fiona and Dad are here?
Cecilia's pupils shrank, but before she could listen closely, the door was pushed open.
Fiona thought she was going to catch them in the act, but instead, as the door opened, there was a lifeless man on the ground.
And instead of being stripped, Cecilia was in a white gown stained with blood, her frightened yet slightly bewildered eyes sending a chill down the spine!
…
Fiona screamed in fright!
Her mind worked quickly, in just a moment she grabbed Father Gregory Vaughn's arm.
"Dad! Sis… she killed someone!"
"Oh, heavens, this man seems to be Young Master Trent, son of a board member at Stellerton University!"
"She must have had an affair with him, and when things went wrong she killed him!"
…
No, that's not how it is!
Cecilia's lips trembled, she wanted to speak, but her throat felt like it was filled with lead, and nothing came out.
Gregory had already seen the forged "cheating text" on Cecilia's phone, and now witnessing her commit murder made his face drastically change!
"Disobedient girl! After all I did for you, you've disappointed me so much!"
With a loud slap, a heavy blow landed straight on Cecilia's face!
…
Cecilia feels as if she's in a freezing cave!
Her father's furious reprimand echoed louder and louder around her.
Her heart was tightly clenched, hurting immensely, everything seemed blurred, only the vast spread of blood color filled her vision.
Already drugged, she finally couldn't bear it and fainted…