Episode-01: Murder

Noxbridge—a city of ambition and shadows. Here, those who dared to dream and worked tirelessly could rise to claim the spotlight, while those who overstepped found themselves erased so completely that not even their shadows were remembered.

Tonight, however, the grandeur of Noxbridge shone brighter than ever. One of the city's most opulent hotels hummed with life as laughter, music, and elegant conversations filled the magnificent ballroom. The prestigious Lopez family, one of Noxbridge's upper-echelon families and counted among the city's top four households, hosted the lavish banquet. Every influential figure had gathered to celebrate the first major achievement of Clara Lopez—a milestone that promised to etch her name permanently into the annals of Noxbridge society.

The ballroom buzzed with whispered admiration, concealed envy, and quiet calculations. In a city where fortune and ruin walked hand in hand, tonight was not only a celebration of triumph but also a night where the smallest mistake could make someone disappear without leaving a trace.

Far above the glittering ballroom, Crescencia Aldridge stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, silently looking down at the sea of elegantly dressed guests below.

The door behind her opened.

"Why are you in such deep thought, Encia?" Kim Jiu asked as she stepped inside. "It's party time, not a meeting room."

She walked over, casually sitting on the armrest of the couch beside Crescencia before following her gaze toward the crowd below.

"Found something interesting down there?"

The corner of Crescencia's lips curled upward.

"Soon."

Kim turned to her before smiling helplessly.

"What a bad friend. You knew a good show was about to happen and didn't even send me an invitation. Am I supposed to enjoy the show alone while eating melon seeds?"

A soft laugh escaped Crescencia's lips as she lightly clinked her wine glass against Kim's.

"It won't be a secret for long, Jiu."

Her sharp gaze drifted back toward the ballroom.

"Everyone will eventually know the show that's about to begin."

Kim rested one arm lazily along the backrest behind Crescencia before snorting softly.

"Fine. If you say so, then I'll wait for the show to begin and enjoy it thoroughly."

Crescencia took a small sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving a particular figure downstairs.

"Very well."

After a brief silence, she asked,

"Oh? What about Clara?"

Kim shrugged carelessly.

"Busy socializing."

A faint smirk crossed her lips.

"She's the main protagonist tonight. How could those old foxes possibly let her go so easily? Not to mention those madams. Every one of them wants Clara as their future daughter-in-law. Their sons may not amount to much, but that won't stop them from trying to tie the Lopez family's sensational daughter to their households."

Rolling her eyes, Kim clicked her tongue.

"The hypocrisy is unbelievable. Their sons aren't even worthy of carrying her shoes, yet they shamelessly expect Clara to marry them."

Crescencia slowly swirled the wine inside her glass, her expression turning cold.

"You can't entirely blame them for being mothers, can you? Not every parent is willing to admit their children's flaws."

She paused before continuing in a calm, almost indifferent tone.

"If their sons don't want someone and reject a woman because they believe she has flaws, yet when those same women reject their priceless sons, then suddenly the woman doesn't know what's good for her."

She gave a quiet scoff.

"What a regressive mindset."

Kim sighed in irritation.

"This is exactly why I hate attending these kinds of events."

Just then—

Knock. Knock.

Crescencia turned away from the window.

Kim also turned toward the door.

The door opened, and Mikhail Aldridge stepped inside with a mischievous grin.

"There you two are," he laughed. "Everyone downstairs is looking for you, sisters."

His grin widened.

"Don't be so shy and hide in here."

Kim rolled her eyes.

"Brat got quite the tongue."

A soft chuckle escaped Crescencia's lips as she turned toward Mikhail.

"Are you enjoying yourself, little sixth?" she asked with a gentle smile.

Mikhail scratched the back of his head sheepishly before smiling.

"Just my rare break away from work," he replied. "Nothing much to enjoy, fifth sister."

He brightened a little.

"Let's go downstairs together."

Kim folded her arms and looked at him with amusement.

"You're an idol, Mikhail. At least have some presence and be image-conscious."

Mikhail laughed awkwardly.

"I'm just the youngest here, not an idol."

Crescencia stood, smoothing the wrinkles from her dress.

"Let's go."

Before walking out, she shot Kim a meaningful glance from the corner of her eye.

Kim immediately linked her arm with Crescencia's, an arrogant smile tugging at her lips.

"Then let's witness the show you've written."

"...?"

Mikhail blinked in confusion as he watched the two women leave.

He scratched his head before hurrying after them.

What are they talking about?

...

DOWNSTAIRS – PARTY HALL

The moment they entered the ballroom, Esthera Aldridge spotted them from across the hall.

"Where have you gone?" she asked.

Crescencia calmly sat beside her mother.

"Nowhere. Mother, I was just upstairs resting."

Esthera nodded before gently holding her daughter's hand.

"Stay here with me. Don't go anywhere without telling me."

Crescencia looked at her mother's worried expression. Her usually cold eyes softened before a reassuring smile appeared on her face.

"Nothing is going to happen, Mom. You're worrying too much. I'm not a child anymore."

Esthera tightened her grip on Crescencia's hand.

"You'll always be my kid."

Crescencia let out a helpless sigh.

"Got it."

Her gaze slowly swept across the crowd. Several familiar faces entered her sight, and a cold smile briefly crossed her lips.

Let these evil-hearted people reap what they have sown.

"I'll stay close to you."

Esthera finally relaxed.

"Yes."

The banquet continued as though nothing could disturb the glamorous atmosphere. Elegant laughter blended with music while guests chatted merrily beneath the crystal chandeliers.

Then—

A servant's desperate scream shattered the celebration.

Every conversation came to an abrupt halt.

The guests instinctively turned toward the grand staircase.

A servant stumbled down the marble steps, his clothes soaked in blood. Crimson stains spread across the pristine white stairs as he collapsed onto the floor.

For one terrifying second...

Silence.

Then the ballroom erupted into chaos.

Guests screamed in horror and stumbled backwards, terrified of the bloodied servant lying motionless before them.

"It's murder!"

"Call the police!"

"Someone died!"

Panic spread like wildfire.

No one knew who had shouted first, but it was enough to send everyone into complete disarray. Guests rushed toward the exits, only for the guards and hotel security to immediately seal every door, preventing anyone from leaving.

Esthera's heart clenched with fear.

Her eyes darted frantically through the panicked crowd.

"Encia... Where is Encia?"

Her body trembled violently as she searched everywhere.

Suddenly, she saw another familiar figure approaching.

"Mom."

Auristella Aldridge, the eldest daughter-in-law of Esthera hurried over.

Relief washed over Esthera's face as she tightly grasped Auristella's hands.

"Auristella... thank goodness you're safe..." Her voice trembled. "But... Encia... she's not here."

Auristella frowned, though uneasiness flickered in her eyes.

"Mom, don't worry. Alexander is here. He'll handle everything. Let's go to the lounge first and wait for the police."

Unable to steady herself, Esthera leaned weakly against her daughter.

"My Encia... God, please..." Tears welled in her eyes. "Don't let anything happen to her again. I beg you... Spare her."

Auristella pressed her lips together.

"She'll be fine."

Yet as she glanced around the ballroom consumed by panic, a deep sense of dread quietly settled in her heart.

They can't afford to let the tragedy occur this time.

Not long afterwards, the police arrived.

The sealed doors were finally opened, and officers quickly took control of the chaotic scene. Guests who had been arguing and demanding to leave fell silent, many letting out shaky sighs of relief.

Most of those present belonged to influential families, making their safety a matter of utmost importance.

From a distance, hidden from everyone's attention...

Crescencia silently watched it all unfold.

A faint, unreadable smile lingered on her lips.

Episode 2 – Stage Set

Just as the officers finished securing the crime scene, Crescencia calmly walked toward her mother and sister-in-law.

"Mom. Sister-in-law."

The moment Esthera saw her, she hurried over and tightly held her shoulders, relief flooding her face.

"Encia... Thank God you're safe!"

Tilting her head slightly, Crescencia smiled.

"Mom, what could have happened to me?"

Before Esthera could answer, Crescencia explained casually,

"I was in the washroom cleaning my dress. During all the pushing and shoving, someone spilt wine on it. Luckily, my dress is dark, so it wasn't very noticeable."

Esthera finally let out a long breath.

"You frightened me. Stay with me from now on."

"Hm."

Standing nearby, Auristella silently glanced between Crescencia, the crowd, and the upper floor. Worry clouded her eyes.

I hope Alexander is alright up there...

Crescencia followed her gaze toward the upper floors, her expression turning cold.

Soon, the terrified atmosphere gradually settled after the police arrived. Although the guests remained anxious, order was slowly restored. Several officers examined the servant girl's body while armed police officers spread throughout the hotel, searching every corner.

Not long afterwards—

Bang!

The unmistakable sound of gunfire echoed from upstairs.

The entire ballroom froze.

Kim Jiu looked toward Crescencia.

"Is this the show you were talking about?"

The corner of Crescencia's lips curled upward.

"Only half of it."

"The rest..."

"...is yet to come."

Kim blinked.

"There's more?"

A sweet smile appeared on Crescencia's face.

"Have you ever watched monkeys dance?"

Kim leaned back in her chair.

"No. But I've heard about it."

A chuckle escaped Crescencia.

"Then let me show you a monkey performance after this."

Kim burst into laughter.

"My friend... you really have many tricks hidden up your sleeves."

Crescencia's smile remained gentle, but her eyes were ice cold.

"Just enough to slap those shameless people pursuing evil."

Her gaze remained fixed on a certain place upstairs.

"Encia."

Auristella walked over.

"Yes, First Sister-in-law?"

"Why don't you go home first? It's not good for you to stay here."

Crescencia shook her head.

"I can't. Today is Clara's big day. After everything that's happened, how could I simply leave?"

Auristella hesitated before asking, "Why did you ask me to change my dress in the middle of the banquet? And why did you ask Caliste to escort the Lopez family's old matriarch?"

Crescencia blinked innocently.

"Grandmother asked me to tell you. She wanted you and Second Sister-in-law to accompany her. Since she's returning to Mountain Valley tonight, she wanted to see you before leaving."

Relief washed over Auristella's face.

She smiled gently and patted Crescencia's head.

"I see."

"Stay here with Jiu. I'll take care of Mom."

"Okay."

Watching Auristella disappear into the crowd, Crescencia's smile slowly deepened.

Suddenly...

A man was dragged into the ballroom by four armed officers.

His mouth was gagged.

His wrists and ankles were tightly bound.

He struggled violently, producing nothing more than muffled groans.

The crowd instantly recognised him.

Runaway criminal John.

A notorious criminal whose crimes ranged from serial murder to cannibalism. He had escaped from West Prison after severely injuring several guards, yet somehow had managed to infiltrate one of the city's most heavily guarded banquets.

Everyone's expressions darkened.

How had such a dangerous criminal entered so easily?

The hotel was packed with servants, guards, and private bodyguards belonging to influential families. It should have been impossible.

Unless...

He had received help from someone inside.

The only question remaining was—

Was his target the Lopez family...

Or one of tonight's guests?

"Encia... Are you alright?"

Someone rushed over anxiously.

Crescencia had just taken another bite of her cake when hurried footsteps approached.

"Encia, you are here?" a familiar voice called anxiously.

She looked up, swallowed the bite in her mouth, and smiled. "Fourth Sister. If I'm not here with everyone, then where should I be?"

Charlotte froze for a moment before forcing a smile. "I... I didn't mean it that way. I was just worried a little."

"Really?" Crescencia tilted her head innocently. "In a situation like this, staying close to family and the people around us is the wisest choice."

Charlotte lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling as though she were about to cry.

"I..thought you would come to...me, to take me, but you..."

Before she could finish, Crescencia let out a soft chuckle with a hint of naivety.

"Fourth Sister, you truly amaze me." Her smile remained gentle, but her words were anything but. "Despite everything that's happened tonight, you don't even have a scratch on you. Yet instead of worrying about the murderer still roaming around, you found the time and energy to run here and question me about why I'm here with everyone and not alone."

The colour drained from Charlotte's face.

Kim Jiu Xyl clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Fourth Sister, as Encia's elder sister, you should be relieved that she's safe. Instead, the first thing you do is accuse her and find fault with her. That's not good conduct of a good elder sister."

Charlotte stiffened with a pale face before hurriedly shaking her head in a flustered manner.

"I-It's not like that. Of course I'm happy she's safe." She forced another smile. "I'll go check on Mom and my first sisters-in-law."

Without waiting for another response, she turned and left with hurried steps.

Kim watched her retreating figure with unconcealed disgust and a questioning gaze.

"Encia... what's wrong with your fourth sister?" she muttered. "She should be worried about you, yet she keeps looking at you like you're some kind of enemy and have done something which you were not supposed to do. Does she not care about you at all?"

''Let me be honest, I used to have a feeling that she treats you a little off, but is it true that she does not care about you?''

Crescencia calmly finished the last bite of her cake before answering in a casual tone, not taking this comment seriously.

"How can that be? We're all siblings."

She glanced toward Charlotte's disappearing figure and let out a quiet laugh.

"Fourth Sister has been under quite a bit of pressure these days. Perhaps she's simply... not thinking very clearly."

Kim narrowed her eyes but said nothing more.

Meanwhile, the medical staff carried away the servant's body as the police recorded statements from every guest. Despite the dignified status of those present, none dared object. With a murderer still at large, no one could be ruled out as a suspect. Whether intentional or not, anyone who had lured a criminal into the mansion would bear responsibility.

Kim leaned closer and whispered, "Where's the next half of the show?"

Crescencia's lips curved upward.

Without answering immediately, she slowly raised three fingers.

Kim followed her gaze.

One finger folded down.

Then another.

Only one remained.

Just then—

"HELP...! SOMEONE...!"

A weak cry echoed from upstairs before abruptly cutting off.

The entire hall fell silent.

Officer Gabriel Briggs immediately looked up toward the second floor, his expression turning grave.

Another incident.

He hurried upstairs with several officers following close behind.

Kim gasped dramatically. "Oh, my God! Another one? Who could those people upstairs be?"

Clara Lopez's expression turned cold.

"Go and bring them out."

Officer Briggs gave a respectful nod. "Miss Lopez, I apologise, but I need to question everyone upstairs first."

"Of course," Clara replied. "Do your job."

After the officer disappeared upstairs, Kim quietly nudged Crescencia.

"You seem awfully relaxed."

A faint smile played on Crescencia's lips.

"Just wait," she whispered.

Kim leaned closer.

"Clara knows?"

Crescencia shook her head.

"Not this part of the show."

Moments later, confused voices drifted downstairs.

"Ah..."

"W-Who are you people?"

Soon, Clara frowned at the trembling young woman wrapped tightly in a quilt.

"Who are you? And what are you doing here?"

The woman looked up nervously facing so many people in front of her.

"My name is Luna... I'm just a service girl. What's happening?"

Before Clara could question her further, another woman's shrill voice filled with anxiety rang through the hallway.

"Oh, my God! My brother was resting here! What happened? I heard someone was committing adultery here. Who is that shameless vixen seducing my brother?"

Crescencia slowly turned her head toward the elegantly dressed woman swaggering into the room.

A knowing smile appeared in her eyes.

Finally...

The last act of the show has begun.

Crescencia Aldridge quietly took a step back into the shadows, ensuring she remained completely hidden from view. Standing beside her, Kim Jiu watched her closely. Catching her friend's watchful gaze, Crescencia turned and offered a playful wink, her eyes crinkling with amusement.

Kim Jiu rolled her eyes in response.

"A cat playing with a mouse, she thought, a smirk tugging at her lips. I certainly like this trope."

"Then enjoy," Crescencia whispered smoothly.

Kim Jiu gave a subtle nod before turning her attention back to the hallway. In a low voice, she instructed, "Stay back."

A few paces away, Clara Lopez studied the visibly anxious woman standing before her.

"Miss Perkins, are you saying your brother was resting here?" Clara asked, her voice cool and measured.

Nayella Perkins turned to face her, her expression tight with worry.

"Miss Lopez, my brother had a little too much to drink and was resting here. But now... there's a woman inside?" She paused, her tone hardening with indignation. "Let me see who is trying to trick my brother and take advantage of him!"

But the moment the words left her mouth, Nayella abruptly fell silent, hesitating to continue.

Clara raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued.

"Why did you stop, Miss Perkins? Go on."

"It's... I don't know if I'm right or not, but when I left my brother here to rest, I think I saw Fifth Miss Aldridge. Is the woman inside..." She trailed off, leaving the question hanging heavily in the air.

Most of the guests had already left the hotel after giving their statements to the authorities, eager to escape the suffocating tension. Yet the human appetite for gossip could never be underestimated, and even these high-born elites were far from immune to its allure. A small crowd still lingered, hanging on every word.

Clara's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Mind your words, Miss Perkins. The Fifth Miss Aldridge only returned from the USA not long ago, and very few people have even seen her. So how are you so certain that you saw her?"

Nayella hastily waved her hands in defence, trying to dispel the sudden chill in the atmosphere.

"Miss Lopez, you're misunderstanding me. I mean no disrespect, nor am I pointing fingers at Fifth Miss Aldridge. As for how I recognised her... her elder sister, Charlotte, is a good friend of mine, so she once showed me her picture. That's how I recognised Fifth Miss Aldridge when I left my brother here to rest. But Geoffrey had a terrible stomachache, and I was in such a hurry to leave that I didn't have time to think much about it."

From her hidden vantage point, Crescencia watched the scene unfold with quiet amusement.

"So you're saying the Fifth Miss Aldridge is the woman inside the room with your brother?" Clara asked, tightening the trap.

Nayella straightened her back, adopting a righteous expression.

"I... I believe she would never stoop so low as to resort to such tactics just to win a gentleman's heart. She is a woman of noble character and grace. She would never commit such a shameless act as seducing a man in bed."

A soft laugh broke the tense silence.

Stepping out from behind Kim Jiu, Crescencia revealed herself to the gathered crowd.

"I never realised I had such a prestigious and noble reputation back in my homeland."

Nayella gasped, her face draining of colour.

"Fifth Miss... You are here? Then the person in the room—"

She instantly bit her tongue, cutting herself off.

Crescencia raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

"In the room? Miss Perkins, you seem awfully certain that it should be me in there. But weren't you just saying that you did not doubt my noble character?" She paused, her smile widening ever so slightly. "Or was that simply a lie?"

"Eh... no... It's not that..." Nayella stammered frantically, her eyes darting anxiously toward the closed door. "It was just a slip of the tongue. My apologies, Fifth Miss Aldridge."

Clara let out a derisive scoff, looking at Nayella with open disdain.

"There's only a service girl inside, attending to your brother while he rests, Miss Perkins. No one said anything, yet you rushed here and immediately began implying it was someone else. If it weren't your brother inside that room, people would think you were the one trying to frame him."

"I... I would never!" Nayella cried, her composure beginning to crack. "I wasn't accusing anyone. I was only speculating based on what I remembered because I was worried that my brother might fall victim to some scheming woman."

"But, Miss Perkins," Crescencia interjected gently, her eyes still curved into a warm smile despite the razor-sharp glint within them, "I never even set foot on the third floor tonight. So how exactly did you see me wandering around here?"

The question struck like a hammer.

Nayella choked on her words.

Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress as she lowered her head, unable to meet anyone's gaze.

"I... I must have been mistaken."

Kim Jiu gave an exaggerated scoff.

"Then perhaps you should stop mistaking random people and spinning stories inside your head."

"I... I didn't mean it like that," Nayella whispered, her face burning with humiliation.

Having seen enough, Clara waved a dismissive hand toward the nearby maids.

"Escort Miss Perkins out." Then, casting a cold glance toward the bedroom door, she added, "And have her bring her brother back as well."

The maids immediately bowed.

"Yes, Miss Lopez."

As though the unpleasant farce had never happened, Crescencia turned to Clara with a bright smile.

"Clara, hurry up. We're waiting for our feast."

Kim Jiu nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. Other than two glasses of wine, I haven't eaten a single thing."

She shot Crescencia a sidelong glance.

"Unlike Encia, who somehow managed to finish two whole sets of cakes."

Crescencia clicked her tongue dramatically.

"I offered you some. Don't tell me you're jealous now."

Kim Jiu folded her arms with a huff.

"I simply have better self-control than someone whose stomach is apparently bottomless."

Crescencia feigned shock, placing a hand over her heart.

"How cruel. You're attacking me over dessert."

Clara pinched the bridge of her nose, letting out a weary sigh.

"Enough, both of you." Despite her exasperated tone, the corners of her lips twitched upward. "Go downstairs first. I'll join you in a moment."

Without another glance at Nayella, the two women walked away together, chatting and laughing as though the confrontation had been nothing more than a minor interruption.

Left standing alone in the hallway, Nayella watched their retreating figures until they disappeared around the corner.

The smiles on their faces only made the fury inside her burn hotter.

Damn it!

She screamed inwardly, her nails digging into her palms.

How can there be a call girl inside? Crescencia was supposed to be the one defiled by my brother tonight. How did everything go so terribly wrong all of a sudden?

First that killer. Then failed attack on Auristella Aldridge and now Crescencia.

Her entire body trembled with rage.

Grinding her teeth, Nayella shoved the bedroom door open and strode inside.

Her eyes immediately landed on the bed.

Jordan Perkins lay there half-naked, his face flushed as he writhed in obvious discomfort, suffering the consequences of the very scheme that had backfired on him.

Nayella stood over her brother, her jaw clenched so tightly it hurt.

Not a single word escaped her lips.