Chapter 13: Phantoms on the Dance Floor

Volume 2: The Feast Above the Lies

The Rockefeller Manor was ablaze with lights. Tonight was the Rockefeller family's annual charity ball. Countless high - society gentlemen and ladies, dressed in expensive custom - made gowns and suits, held champagne glasses and mingled gracefully under the crystal chandeliers, chatting and laughing. However, beneath this luxurious facade lurked endless desires and conspiracies.

Irene stood on the balcony on the second floor, overlooking the dancing crowd in the ballroom. She was wearing a deep blue velvet gown, as profound as the night sky, with tiny silver sequins dotting the skirt, like twinkling stars. This was Olivia's dress, and it was also her armor to blend into this world with her false identity.

Victoria, holding a glass of champagne, walked slowly to her side with a proper smile on her face. "Irene, you look stunning tonight, like a brilliant gem."

Irene gave a faint smile but didn't respond. Since seeing Sean's reaction in the rose garden, her trust in Victoria had plummeted. This woman might be more unfathomable than she had imagined.

"Where's Sean? Why isn't he here?" Victoria asked casually.

"He's downstairs," Irene pointed to the center of the dance floor. "He's talking to some bankers."

Victoria followed her gaze. Sean was standing in the middle of the crowd, wearing a well - tailored black suit, looking extremely handsome and tall. His every gesture exuded an innate noble aura, attracting the attention of countless women. However, Irene always felt that his smile was a bit forced, as if he was wearing a mask to hide his true emotions.

"Irene, how are you getting along with Sean?" Victoria asked seemingly casually, but her eyes were fixed on Irene's expression.

Irene turned around, leaned against the railing, and looked at Victoria with a deep gaze. "Very well. We get along perfectly."

"Really? I'm so happy for you," Victoria smiled, but her smile was a bit stiff. "Sean is a good man, but... he has too many scars in his heart and needs time to heal."

"Scars?" Irene raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking about what happened to his mother?"

Victoria's face changed slightly. She put down her glass and said in a low voice, "The matter of Isabella happened a long time ago, and we don't want to bring it up again."

Irene sneered. "Really? But I think Isabella's death is inextricably linked to the Rockefeller family."

Victoria's face turned pale. She clenched her fists and said excitedly, "Irene, stop! The less you know about some things, the better!"

"Why? Do you want to keep hiding it forever?" Irene retorted.

Just then, Sean's voice came from behind, breaking the tense atmosphere between the two. "Irene, Victoria, what are you talking about?"

Irene turned around and saw Sean standing behind her, with a hint of inquiry in his deep eyes.

"Nothing, just chatting casually," Irene said lightly.

Sean walked up to Irene, gently put his arm around her waist, and whispered in her ear, "The ball has started. Let's go downstairs and dance."

Irene nodded and let Sean lead her by the hand down the stairs.

In the center of the dance floor, the melodious waltz music began to play. Sean gallantly invited Irene to dance, and the two stepped onto the dance floor, swaying gracefully to the music.

Sean's dance steps were elegant and skillful. He held Irene tightly, as if he wanted to merge her into his body. Irene felt the warmth from him, but her heart was filled with complex emotions.

"Irene, I hope you can trust me," Sean said in a low, husky voice, with a hint of pleading. "Everything I do is for your own good."

Irene looked up into Sean's deep eyes, trying to find a trace of sincerity. However, his eyes were filled with a mist, making it impossible for her to see clearly.

"Sean, should I trust you?" she asked in a low voice.

Sean was silent for a moment, then sighed and said, "I know I've been hiding a lot from you, but I hope you can give me time to tell you everything gradually."

Irene didn't speak, just looked at him silently. She knew Sean's words couldn't be trusted. He was hiding too many secrets, and these secrets would eventually consume them.

Just then, the dance ended. Sean released Irene and bowed gallantly to her.

"I'm going to toast some guests. Wait for me here," he said softly, then turned and walked into the crowd.

Irene stood alone in the center of the dance floor, feeling a sense of loneliness and helplessness. She looked around and saw many familiar faces, but there was no one she could trust.

Suddenly, her gaze fell on a figure in the crowd, a familiar and dangerous figure - Carl Howard.

Carl was wearing a dark gray suit and standing at the edge of the dance floor, with a gentle smile on his face, his eyes always fixed on her. His smile seemed to have a magical power, attracting Irene's gaze and making it impossible for her to look away.

Irene hesitated for a moment, then walked towards Carl.

"Mr. Howard, what a coincidence. I didn't expect you to attend the Rockefeller family's ball," Irene said with a smile.

Carl smiled and bowed elegantly to Irene. "The Rockefeller family's ball is an important social event in high society. Naturally, I wouldn't miss it."

"Really?" Irene raised an eyebrow. "I thought someone as unconventional as you wouldn't like such a hypocritical social occasion."

"Everyone has a hidden side," Carl said meaningfully. "Perhaps you're no exception."

Irene's heart skipped a beat. She knew what Carl was hinting at. He already knew her secret, but instead of exposing her, he chose to stand by her side silently.

"Mr. Howard, what exactly do you want?" Irene asked bluntly.

Carl smiled but didn't directly answer her question. Instead, he said, "Irene, do you believe in fate?"

Irene shook her head. "I don't."

"That's a pity," Carl sighed. "Perhaps one day you'll understand that some things are destined. No matter how much you struggle, you can't change them."

Just then, the lights on the dance floor suddenly dimmed, and a spotlight shone on the center of the stage. A man in a tailcoat walked onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and announced that the highlight of the ball was about to begin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, now, allow me to announce that the charity auction tonight officially begins!"

As soon as the man finished speaking, warm applause broke out in the ballroom. Irene's heart sank. She knew that the real show was just about to start.

She turned her head and looked at Sean in the dance floor. There was a meaningful smile on his face, as if he had expected everything. And Victoria stood beside him, the two of them whispering, their eyes full of calculation.

Irene took a deep breath. She knew she was already deeply involved and couldn't get away. She could only clench her fists and face the upcoming challenges. The phantoms on this dance floor had just begun their performance.