Chapter 51
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice, stunned to see Henry back in the private room. His jacket, casually slung over his arm earlier, was now loosely held in one hand. The air around him radiated menace, an unmistakable storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.
His lips parted, and his low, magnetic voice cut through the tension. "I changed my mind. I feel like playing, after all." His sharp gaze swept across the room, making everyone's blood run cold. "What? You all planning to stay and watch?"
The men, already wary of Arthur, sobered up immediately. They scrambled to leave, not forgetting to shut the door behind them thoughtfully. Silence fell over the room.
Victoria never expected him to come back.
Watching his tall frame approach, she rose from the couch instinctively, her body tensing with caution.
Henry's eyes locked onto hers. He thought, "That looks so familiar.
Victoria always looks at me like that, too.
How could two different people share the same gaze? "
Henry's curiosity burned stronger now. He thought again, "What is hiding beneath her mask? Would it surprise or shock me?" He stepped closer, each stride deliberate and unyielding. His towering presence bore down on her like a tidal wave, suffocating and inescapable.
Victoria shrank back instinctively, unsettled by the intensity in his eyes. Lowering her gaze, she avoided his stare. "Thank you!".
Her mind was beginning to fog again, and a dull ache had started gnawing at her stomach. That bottle of vodka she'd downed earlier was no joke. Victoria thought, "I must find Evie. If I don't leave soon, my disguise will crumble completely -and when that happens, everything will fall apart."
"Is that all you've got to say?"
Henry stopped a few steps away, the light above casting shadows over his chiseled features. His deep-set eyes glimmered with amusement as he looked at her almost playfully. "Ms. Aroma, you've provoked me time and time again, yet here I am, saving you. Wouldn't you say I'm quite the saint?"
Victoria thought, "Is this guy for real? Complimenting himself? And pushing me to agree with him?"
Still, facts were facts. "Mr. Harrison, this bottle of fragrance might temporarily ease your symptoms," she said, her tone measured despite the chaos swirling in her mind. "And thank you for saving me just now."
Summoning what little composure she had left, Victoria retrieved a small bottle from her bag and placed it on the table, sliding it toward him.
"If you need more in the future, I'll give you a discount." She hesitated, then added, "The materials are quite rare, and I just want to make a little money. I hope you'll understand."
Henry leaned forward, picking up the tiny bottle. About the size of a perfume vial, its contents were clear and shimmered faintly under the light. His fingers turned it over, examining it with casual curiosity. "It will work after I spray it?" he asked.
"Yes." Victoria nodded. "You saw how effective it was at Sir Caldwell's birthday party, didn't you? I believe it'll help."
Henry said with a faint smile, "Let's test it out." With that, he unscrewed the cap and, after a brief pause, aimed it directly at Victoria.
Victoria already dazed, didn't react in time. The moment she caught the familiar scent, her eyes widened in shock, staring at him in disbelief.
Before she could say a word, a powerful wave of drowsiness crashed over her, pulling her under like a tide.
Unable to fight it, she felt her eyelids fluttered shut and she collapsed onto the couch, fast asleep.
Her golden butterfly mask sparkled under the light as she lay there, perfectly still.
Henry's brows lifted slightly at the sight. Replacing the cap on the bottle, he stepped closer, looming over her slumbering form. For a moment, he stared at the golden mask that hid her face. Then, slowly, he reached out, his fingers brushing against its edge.
"Mr. Harrison," a voice called out just as Henry was mere inches away from the mask. He turned around to find Diana had somehow entered the room, her face icy and her eyes devoid of warmth as she looked at Henry. "I'm here to take her home."
Henry's fingers curled slightly, and after casting another glance at the mask, he seemed lost in thought before withdrawing his hand. "Why is she wearing a mask?"
Diana lied without batting an eye. "She has burn scars on her face and is deeply self-conscious. She never goes out." She walked over and lifted the unconscious Victoria into her arms.
"Mr. Harrison, I'll be taking her now. I'll contact your assistant about our collaboration." With that, she quickly carried Victoria away.
"Who said you could leave?" Henry's calm yet pointed voice rang out. Diana's arms tightened around Victoria. She glanced down at the unconscious Victoria, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes as her brows furrowed deeply.
The situation was undoubtedly dangerous. Henry was a man of suspicion, and whatever piqued his curiosity, he would relentlessly pursue until he uncovered the truth. Right now, what lay beneath the mask was his most burning question.
Diana thought, "What should I do? If he insists on removing the mask and seeing the face he knows so well, how would he react?"
"Do you need something else, Mr. Harrison?"
"I saved her," Henry said. "Isn't it fair that I take a look at her face?"
Diana thought again, "What can I possibly say? Compared to him saving her, letting him see her face doesn't seem like a big deal."
"But she's asleep now," Diana responded. "Could you wait until she wakes up, and then I'll bring her to see you?"
"No. I want to see her now." Henry approached, his gaze fixed on Victoria, reaching out to remove her mask. Diana didn't dare move. Dodging would only raise more suspicion. She held her breath, staring at his hand.
"You seem nervous," Henry remarked. "Are you afraid of met seeing her face?"
"Yes," Diana replied. "I'm afraid you'll be horrified by her appearance. Burn scars are always ugly and terrifying."
Henry's fingers paused, seemingly hesitant. Just then, his phone rang. He pulled it out and saw it was Sarah calling. "Hello?" His tone was low and gentle.
Sarah choked with tears. "Henry, can you come to the hospital? I'm so scared. My parents just came and told me I'm useless, that I should get married as soon as possible. But I don't want to. I want to continue dancing. Can you help me find a way?"
He had no reason to refuse her request. "I'm coming now," Henry said, then hung up. He stared at the unconscious Victoria. "You can go."
"Okay," Diana responded. As Henry turned to leave, she finally exhaled in relief.
Instead of taking Victoria home, she went directly to Evie's office. Evie was still busy. Diana laid Victoria on the bed in the rest area, carefully removing her mask to make her more comfortable. Only then did she notice the tear glistening at the corner of Victoria's eye.