ARIA’S POV
As I arrive at the event, I’m greeted by a sea of affluent figures, each one exuding an air of sophistication and importance. It’s a gathering where prestige and influence seem to mingle effortlessly, and I can’t help but feel a sense of belonging in such esteemed company.
It’s no secret that I’m Neal Jackson’s sister, and it seems that my association with him has garnered me a certain level of respect among the elite crowd. As I make my way through the room, I notice heads turning in my direction, and I’m met with nods of recognition and polite smiles.
“Nice to see you, Miss Cook.”
The host greets me and I smile at the courteous welcome.
“What an amazing event. I’m glad to be here.”
There’s a certain weight to the way people regard me, as if my presence alone carries a measure of significance. It’s a feeling that I’ve grown accustomed to, yet it never fails to remind me of the responsibilities that come with being part of a prominent family.
Despite the grandeur of the event, I navigate the room with ease, exchanging pleasantries and engaging in polite conversation with fellow attendees. It’s a familiar scene, one that I’ve witnessed countless times before, yet each gathering brings with it its own unique energy and atmosphere.
Needless to say, at such parties, the Millers are always around. Tonight is no different. Adam and Eva are present, mingling with the other guests. Although they don’t approach me, I can feel their eyes on me, their gazes heavy and lingering.
I find myself approached by several young and dashing men throughout the evening. Their compliments are flattering, and their flirtations are persistent, but I don’t encourage their advances. Instead, I gracefully navigate the conversations, going with the flow and enjoying the attention without letting it go too far.
As I sip my champagne and laugh at their jokes, I can feel Adam’s eyes on me. It’s a strange sensation, knowing he’s watching my every move. But I refuse to let it affect me. This is my night, my chance to shine, and I won’t let anyone–especially not Adam–cast a shadow over it.
Adam stands with a group of business associates, his expression unreadable, but I catch him glancing in my direction more than once. There’s something in his eyes that I can’t quite place–regret, perhaps, or something more complicated.
Eva, on the other hand, is her usual self, surrounded by a cluster of admirers, her laughter a little too forced, her smiles a bit too sharp. She doesn’t hide her disdain for me, and her glances are filled with thinly veiled hostility.
Nonetheless, I have a very bad feeling gnawing at me, an unsettling sensation that I can’t shake off. It’s eerily similar to the feeling I had just before Grandma passed away. Instantly, my mind wanders to Grandpa Miller.
A wave of worry washes over me. I try to push the thought away, but it lingers, making it hard to focus on the
xiety lively conversations and the laughter surrounding me. The festive atmosphere contrasts sharply with t building up inside me.
I excuse myself from the crowd and find a quiet corner. Yet, the uneasy feeling persists, making me wonder if something might be wrong with Grandpa.
But then, I feel like perhaps this atmosphere is too strange for me. Therefore, I excuse myself to the host to leave the party.
CHAPTER 82
+25 BONUS
As eerie as it may seem, I make sure to give a great excuse
“I’ve a very urgent business meeting. I got to leave. The party was fabulous.”
“It was a pleasure having you here tonight, Miss Cook. See you next time.”
I glance at Adam and see that his eyes are holding many questions, but I just turn my back and leave instantly. As I get into my car and speed off, I sense that something is wrong with my car.
“What’s wrong?! I swear when I came the car was in perfect condition.”
Just as I want to slow down, the brakes seem to fail. Panic surges through me as I realize my car is losing control. My heart races, and I grip the steering wheel tightly, trying to stay calm and think clearly.
The car swerves dangerously, and I desperately search for a way to stop it. The road ahead blurs as fear takes over, but I know I have to act quickly to avoid a disaster.
When I’m about to collide with the massive tree looming ahead, a car suddenly swerves in front of me, taking the brunt of the impact. The screeching sound of metal crashing against metal fills the air, and everything seems to slow down.
My car jerks violently, but the other vehicle absorbs the worst of the crash. I’m thrown forward, my seatbelt straining against the force, and my heart pounds in my chest as the realization of what just happened sinks in.
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CHAPTER 83
+25 BONUS
CHAPTER 83
