Chapter 7 Fire and Betrayal

Valentin quickly chimed in.

"Ms. Brooks, how do you plan to compensate Ella for that dress?"

Judith's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she found herself cornered in this awkward situation.

"Austin, I..."

Austin stepped forward to defuse the tension. "Whatever it costs, I'll have my assistant wire the money to you."

Ella laughed softly. So he truly didn't remember that this dress was a gift from him.

"It doesn't matter anymore," She said quietly.

It was his dress after all. Consider the debt settled between them.

She turned to Daron, steering the conversation back to business. "Mr. Bales, please don't say that. Anyone coordinating the project would need to prove their abilities first. I'm still new to this role and will need guidance from both of you."

The guests began to whisper among themselves.

"What does this mean? Isn't Judith the Brooks heiress?"

"From what Mr. Bales just implied..."

"Maybe we're talking about different people—there are plenty of people with the surname Brooks. Perhaps Mr. Bales only recognizes the one connected to the Clark family."

Whispers spread throughout the room.

Judith's face burned with humiliation as her eyes darkened with resentment.

The scrutinizing gazes and barely concealed mockery made it impossible for her to hold her head high.

Why did Ella always get everything so easily?

How dare she effortlessly claim what Judith had fought so hard to obtain?

Austin stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Ella. "What game are you playing now?"

Daron narrowed his eyes, giving Austin a puzzled look. "Ella just said it doesn't matter, and no payment is necessary. Why are you still pressing the issue, Mr. Raymond?"

"Mr. Bales," Ella gestured toward a quieter area, "Shall we continue our discussion over there?"

Austin's eyes followed Ella intently, his brow furrowed in confusion.

This was the first time he'd seen Ella so vibrant and confident.

Previously, she had always stayed at home, being the dutiful wife who took care of his needs. He had grown accustomed to her attentiveness, but now she seemed like a completely different person.

He felt a strange mix of emotions watching her walk away, his eyes never leaving her figure.

Noticing that Austin's attention had shifted entirely to Ella, Judith clenched her fists in anger.

Taking a deep breath, she wrapped her arm around Austin's. "Austin, I'm so grateful you're here for me."

Austin nodded distractedly, offering a few perfunctory words of comfort to Judith.

As the commotion subsided, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Out of Austin's sight, Judith pulled out her phone and made a call.

Ella stood on the balcony, engaged in conversation with Daron and Valentin.

"The Prometheus Project will require substantial funding in its later stages. We'll need to attend various business functions to secure investments. If you're uncomfortable with that, Ella, you don't have to participate," Daron said.

Ella smiled graciously. "I'm new to this field, and attending these functions is how I'll learn and grow. I appreciate your consideration, but I think it's better if you treat everyone equally."

Valentin smiled in response. "Mr. Bales won't have you handling alcohol-fueled business negotiations. Your grandfather wouldn't approve of that anyway."

He paused briefly before continuing, "However, the project still lacks sufficient funding. Would you be willing to discuss this financial issue with your grandfather?"

So that explained their eagerness to help her—they were hoping to secure investment from her grandfather.

Their plan was transparent.

Ella smiled. "If that's your intention, you'll need a proper project proposal. As you know, my grandfather isn't easily persuaded by a few casual words from me."

Daron laughed awkwardly, exchanging a glance with Valentin, who hesitated for a moment before producing the project proposal.

Taking the document, Ella raised an eyebrow and began reviewing it.

The proposal seemed solid overall. After some consideration, she borrowed a pen and made a few additions.

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted among the guests. People began rushing toward their location.

Daron was about to inquire about the situation when he was swept away by the panicking crowd.

Valentin secured the proposal and attempted to escort Ella to safety, but a surge of people separated them, pushing him away from her!

As Ella tried to leave, the chaotic crowd pushed her to the edge of the balcony. Her leg struck against a table, and someone forcefully shoved her!

Through the thickening smoke, she heard someone shout, "Fire! There's a fire!"

Screams and sobs filled the air as panic took hold.

To escape, guests began rushing toward the balcony or the exit.

The main doors became so congested that people were trampled and fell to the ground.

As Ella regained her senses and attempted to flee, she felt a hand suddenly grip her wrist.

Looking down, she saw Judith's slender fingers tightly clutching her. Following the arm up, Ella met Judith's tear-filled eyes, silently pleading for help.

"Help me," Judith began to say.

Just as Ella lowered her guard, Judith violently pushed her.

Ella fell backward, quickly swallowed by the swirling crowd.

Pain shot through her spine as she hit the floor, a numbing cold spreading through her limbs. The aching sensation felt like thousands of needles piercing her body as darkness threatened to engulf her.

She could feel people trampling past, narrowly missing her fallen form.

The roar of the crowd had not yet subsided when Ella clutched her abdomen, curling into a ball on the floor in agony.

To avoid being trampled, she crawled to a relatively safe triangular space.

By now, more than half of the guests had evacuated the hall.

Ella tried to stand by, feeling along the wall, but she saw the flames intensifying.

The massive chandelier above the hall had partially collapsed, its metal chains barely holding the remaining structure as it swayed precariously.

She tried to move away but discovered she had twisted her ankle.

From a distance, she could see Judith coldly watching the scene unfold.

Until a figure emerged from the flames.