Chapter 19: The Masked Beauty
The air buzzed with youthful energy as the sun dipped over the skyline of Kingston Metropolis, a fast-paced city known for its glamorous universities, stunning high-rises, dark underbellies, and unforgiving social structures. Tonight, Kingston's elite college, Sienna International University, was preparing for the city's most anticipated event of the semester—the Grand Intercollegiate Gala, held at the diamond-studded Royal Equinox Hotel. The location sparkled with affluence and secrets; only the elite were allowed beyond the velvet ropes, while the truly powerful moved like ghosts in the shadows.
Julian, the once broken boy who now lived a double life under the guidance of the mysterious watch strapped on his wrist, stepped into the ballroom. He wore a sharp obsidian tuxedo, tailored perfectly to his lean frame. His black hair was slicked back, his piercing eyes scanning the glowing crowd. Students, celebrities, company heirs, influencers, and secret agents from various elite institutions mingled in flirtatious circles, each hiding their own motives.
A task buzzed through the watch:
Task 48: Find the Masked Beauty
Details: Among the guests tonight is a girl who wears a silver-laced mask. She holds a secret that can either elevate you beyond comprehension or destroy everything you've built.
Time Limit: 4 Hours
Penalty: A week-long curse of public embarrassment and reversed charm effect—every attempt to impress will backfire.
Reward: Access to "W-Company Files" – including classified data on secret competitors and corrupt officials.
His heart thumped. He walked through the gala with confidence, drawing stares from those who once ridiculed him. Girls who once called him a loser now whispered about his looks and aura. He passed a group of rich heirs arguing over who deserved the attention of influencer-turned-model, Cassie Velour—each one flaunting cars, money, and designer gifts. She laughed, but her eyes followed Julian. The tide had turned.
Julian's eyes caught a girl in a flowing violet gown by the fountain—her face covered by a silver-laced mask. Her figure was elegant yet haunting, and she didn't mingle like the others. As he approached, her voice stopped him.
"Looking for something, or someone?"
Her name was Anabelle. 20. A third-year student in Performing Arts. But she wasn't ordinary. Rumors called her the "Phantom of Sienna"—she only attended events in masks, always alone, always gone before midnight. Her beauty was quiet and unsettling. Her caramel skin, hourglass figure, and deep violet eyes behind the mask were unforgettable.
"Maybe I found it," Julian said, his voice calm, his charm at play.
She chuckled. "You'll have to earn me. And you have competition."
Suddenly, another alert came through the watch:
Surprise Mini-Task: Compete in the Dance of Influence.
Details: The most beautiful girl at the gala will choose her dance partner. Win her favor.
Reward: A key to The Underground Union – a private circle of powerful student CEOs and corrupt officials.
The music shifted to a slow classical rhythm. Anabelle stepped forward, placing a single finger on Julian's chest.
"Dance with me… if you're not afraid of what you'll uncover."
The dance floor became a battlefield. Rich heirs joined in with their polished steps. Celebrities strutted like peacocks. But Julian danced like the pain in his soul translated into rhythm—every heartbreak, every humiliation, every fight was in his movement. He wasn't performing. He was surviving.
When the music stopped, the crowd fell into stunned silence. Anabelle leaned close.
"You've passed. But you're still blind. I wear a mask because the world fears what's beneath. Follow me to the rooftop."
On the rooftop, the city glimmered below. Anabelle removed her mask. Julian froze. A scar stretched from her cheekbone to her jawline. And yet, she was more beautiful than ever—because she was real.
"My family disowned me when I refused a forced marriage to a real estate tycoon's son. I came here in disguise to find people like me—misfits in a beautiful world. The Union has files on everyone. Yours too. They know what you've become, Jaden. And they fear you."
She handed him a black card.
New Access: W-Company Black Card – Entry to secret student unions, company competitions, and political betting circles.
New Task Unlocked: Corrupt the Corrupt.
Details: Infiltrate the office of Senator Raydon—Kingston's most corrupt official and a secret funder of Sienna's elite circle.
Reward: Control over hidden government assets.
Below them, chaos erupted. Rich students were fighting over who should sit beside Cassie Velour. The press captured the mess. Meanwhile, a janitor named Mr. Kivo, 45, handsome and quiet, was seen sneaking away from the auditorium with Ms. Chloe—the youngest literature teacher, 27, blonde, seductive, and dangerously intelligent. Their secret had spread like fire, and the school board was watching.
The night wasn't over.