Belinda said, "This world only cares about winners. As people from Mandora put it, ''the victor is king, and the defeated a bandit.'' Whoever wins writes the rules."


    "The association''s style is the same as mine," responded Dominic.


    "That''s why it attracts people like you, Mr. Reid. We''re in need of people who are sharp and willing to break old rules and draft new ones," continued Belinda.


    Dominic replied, "Ms. Belinda, you''re too kind."


    After the two exchanged polite ttery, Belinda steered the conversation. She said, "I''m sure you''re here because you''ve found the ne, right?"


    As Belinda said that, a challenging flicker glinted in her eyes.


    Dominic answered, "Of course."


    "Where is it?" Belinda asked, extending a palm and waiting for him to bring it out.


    "There''s no need to rush. I''ll bring it out now," said Dominic. Then, he got up and crossed the room. He stopped at a phonograph.


    When Belinda saw that, her expression changed.


    Dominic opened the drawer at the center of the phonograph and took out the ne.


    For a moment, Belinda felt a chill run down her spine. Dominic actually found it...


    With the ne in hand, Dominic walked over to Belinda and said, "Your clue was a poem. Every line pointed to the castle and the forest, aligning perfectly with the setting. But there was another possibility. It might all be a misdirection.


    "The real answer was in the poet herself. She adored Moonlight Sonata and listened to it every night. The poet''s name is Belinda.


    "And the word ''moonlight'' in the final line, ''I wish to sleep in the moonlight,'' wasn''t referring to the moon in the sky. It was the music piece. From the very start of the event, I noticed music ying from the third floor. So, I figured that the ne never left your hands."


    Belinda was in disbelief. She asked, "How did you know that the poet''s name was Belinda?"


    Dominic chuckled and said, "Because it was written by you."


    Belindaughed and pped with exaggeration. She praised, "Mr. Reid, your mind is as impressive as your looks."


    Dominic responded, stepping behind Belinda, "You''re too kind."


    Belinda stiffened slightly. Turning her head to nce back at him, she asked, "Mr. Reid, are you going to put it on for me?"


    "You said it yourself, Ms. Belinda. To win, I had to find the ne and put it on you," responded Dominic, leaning forward a bit. Under the candlelight, his smile could make hearts flutter.


    "Thank you, Mr. Reid," said Belinda before turning her head back.


    Dominic swept her hair to one side. The dark greence cor of her gown<fn51fd> Checktest chapters at find?novel</fn51fd>


    hugged her throat closely. He pretended to put the ne on her as his fingers brushed her neck. And just as she rxed, he suddenly ripped open her cor and her skin.


    Belinda let out a scream. In the next moment, Dominic mped a hand over her mouth.


    Just then, someone entered the room and locked the door. With her heart racing, Vespera turned around. At a nce, her eyes widened as she leaned on the door.


    "Oh my God..." Vespera eximed subconsciously.


    Under the candlelight, a woman''s head with long hair hung limply from the chest of a bald woman. The scene was overwhelming. Even horror movies wouldn''t dare to design something this disturbing!


    Vespera took a closer look and realized the chest was actually a rubber mask that had a face and hair.


    Even though Calvert had warned her, and Dominic had said he would strip the disguise, seeing the mask peeled away in real time was another matter.


    But what truly chilled her to the bone wasn''t the mask. It was the face beneath it. Vespera shouted, "So, it really was you!"