Ruby's radar for danger went off in that instant.
She quickly reached out to pull Aaron into safety, tucking him in a hidden corner behind the stairs.
"Stay hidden and don't wander off. It'll be better to take leave after the chaos settles and everything quiets down."
"What about you?" Aaron held onto her arm, his significant force keeping her in place.
"I will join the others." She told him. "Don't wait for me."
Ruby released herself and headed to the source of the chaos, leaving the man all alone within the shadows.
She didn't notice how the man's nails dug into his palm the moment her warmth left him, looking like a caged beast who had regretted clipping its own claws.
Meanwhile, pushing through the chaotic crowd, Ruby tapped on the hidden chip planted behind her ear, whispering hurriedly. "What happened?"
The chip let out a buzz, the scattered noises gradually gathering to form a discernable voice.
"The informant has been attacked." The weary voice belonged to Bald Eagle, who was responsible for the operation's surveillance.
"Seal all exits. We'll now start the hunt for the culprit who is on the run."
The veteran agent concluded, arranging for the personnels on standby to block each exit passage and control the chaotic crowd.
"Oh we'll be in big, big trouble for this." The other assigned agent, Orchid, mumbled with a sigh.
A group of uniformed nobodies trying to control those bigwigs who literally had the country's whole industry in their grasp, it would be a disaster for sure.
At this critical moment, only Ruby remembered about their Boss's presence.
"What about the Boss? Boss, what are your opinions about this?"
"Boss?"
"Save it. The Boss is on the ground floor. Dead drunk." Bald Eagle emotionlessly said, before arranging for another squad to flank Jeremy to safety.
Seriously? Unavailable at this critical moment? You're going too far with the act, Boss!
Ruby's expression turned grim as she inwardly cursed at the unreliable man. She turned to urge the male agent.
"Eagle, do you get the culprit? Lead the way."
A grunt came over the communication device.
"Can't find him. The culprit was dressed in a black and white servant suit and the most common staff's mask. He had slipped into one of the blind spots of the surveillance camera. He might've changed his disguise by now."
"What about the informant?"
Bald Eagle was quick to provide his answer.
"Stabbed in his vital point, consciousness lost. I've contacted medical help. We'll have at most 10 minutes before the ambulance arrives. We wouldn't be able to hold the raging crowd by then."
"The last time the culprit was spotted?" Ruby asked again.
"15 minutes ago. Second Floor, Left–"
Eagle's voice disappeared as Ruby was suddenly hit on the shoulder, the communication device on her ear sent flying from the impact.
"I'm sorry." She quickly apologized for not watching her way.
"No worries." The man replied, not the least angered.
Fortunately, the small tower of glass wine on the man's platter hadn't fallen. If not, it'll be disastrous for sure.
As Ruby bent down to retrieve the chip, asking Eagle for a follow up, her movements suddenly paused, her neck snapping towards the previous man's direction.
He was just there a few seconds ago. Where was he?
"Second Floor, Left Wing– Hey, hey, hey! Penguin! Where are you going?"
On the communication device, Bald Eagle's voice turned frantic as he saw her running towards the opposite direction.
"Eagle! That man with the wine platter! Track him!" Ruby shouted in between her breaths.
The giveaway was obvious. With a murderer out on the run and the panicking crowd forcing their way out of the four main exits, what was a servant doing, strolling around with a platter of wine glass?
Any ordinary worker would've seek the opportunity to leave their work and run for their own lives, unless–
He had a motive of his own.
There was also a fatal mistake in his choice of outfit. Bald Eagle had previously identified him in a black and white suit, which was the official uniforms of the servers in the party.
And yet, he's now in a full suit of black and striped top, signifying that he belonged to the kitchen.
A kitchen helper serving trays of wine in a moment of chaos? How ridiculous could he get?
"Got him. Second Floor, Right Wing." A series of clicking keys was heard as Eagle let out a huff, "This is bad! He's heading to the open balcony on the furthest end of the corridor."
"I'll get him and the key item."
Ruby said, her voice firm as if she was determined to fix things right.
However, just as she rushed up the stairs and took a sharp turn, her vision spun as she lost her balance, her arm snatched by a sudden full force.
Ruby landed on a pair of strong arms, her entire figure locked into his hug. Unable to break away, she turned aggressive, driving her elbow into the man's abdomen.
The man dodged, and Ruby used the opening to escape. At the short exchange of a breath, she ducked and retrieved the gun from beneath her dress, loading and pointing it towards the man who had ambushed her out of nowhere.
However, what she saw caused the grip on her gun to falter, a minute change that the man didn't fail to notice.
The same man with the same red blindfold. It couldn't possibly be anyone else.
Ruby's breath hitched, her heart on the verge of exploding.
There's no mistaking it.
Julien Sterling, the infamous mad Fourth Prince of Astaroth. And also… the man who she had once betrayed and escaped from…
What was he doing here, in this place?
He wasn't supposed to be here. No, she wasn't supposed to appear in the same space as him. Why was he here? Has she been recognized?
The man moved as if he could see everything however, Ruby knew that wasn't true, for the red muslin covering his eyes was proof.
He was still the unstable man from 6 years ago, his oppressive aura spilling over him like crashing waves against sand.
Ruby pressed her pink feathered mask hard against her skin, her breaths ragged as she stared at his moving lips, mouthing.
"Found you, Darling."
Those lips then moved to form a bewitching smile, drawing her soul out of her body, just as how they did 6 years ago.