<h4>Chapter 238: Chapter 238 The Storm Descends 1</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    After twenty minutes of tense silence and too much eye contact with Evelyn, the carriage finally slowed to a stop. I could’ve kissed the ground.


    I was the first one out, gathering my dress as I stepped down. Looking up, I froze.


    The gothic castle loomed ahead, its towers piercing the thick sky, backlit by warm yellow light that made the storm clouds above look even darker.


    It looked like the kind of ce where billionaires host masquerades... or where old-world wolves hold court.


    We followed our guide through a massive arched entryway.


    A narrow suspension bridge stretched out before us,nterns flickering to life one by one as we crossed.


    The bridge creaked faintly with every step, swaying just enough to remind us we weren’t on solid ground anymore--in any sense.


    Once across, the double doors opened into a grand foyer that was both antiquated and opulent. Vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, marble so polished I could see my own nerves reflecting back at me.


    More guests filtered in behind us as we stepped into the main ballroom.


    Then I saw him.


    Sebastian.


    Still as ever. Sharp eyes, perfect posture, and somehow pulling focus without even trying.


    And that suit--deep violet velvet. Regal, expensive... and honestly? Kind of absurd.


    An older woman approached him, chatting politely. He nodded once, then turned slightly--his gaze sweeping the entrance like instinct.


    Then he saw me.


    His eyes locked on mine. The shift was instant. Shock.


    He wasing.


    And he did not look happy.


    I stood quietly, waiting for him. His cold expression didn’t intimidate me in the slightest.


    Tang excitedly bounded forward to meet Sebastian.


    "Alpha, I made it!" he announced proudly.


    Sebastian’s expression darkened instantly--like someone had just handed him an unmarked boxbeled’chaos.’


    His voice was low and dangerous. "What exactly did I tell you to do?"


    "If you’re angry, just hit me."


    Tang opened his jacket dramatically, exposing his chest like he was in some kind of gangster drama.


    "Go on. I can take it."


    Sebastian’s brow furrowed, sharp and deliberate.


    His jaw tightened once, then again, like he was holding something back.


    He didn’t say a word, but his silence carried enough judgment to make the air feel heavier.


    His gaze moved past me andnded on Sawyer, who was half-hidden behind my shoulder.


    "Get over here. Now."


    Sawyer looked like he might cry. I knew this would happen!


    He didn’t move, using me as a human shield while frantically trying to exin to Sebastian,"I tried to stop this, I swear! But they wouldn’t listen!"


    "Come here," Sebastian said, utterly calm. "Let’s talk. I won’t hit you."


    Yeah, that’s what viins say right before they snap your kneecaps.


    Sawyer shot me a desperate look that screamed : You dragged us into this, and now I’m the one about to get executed? Fix this!


    I gave him a small, reassuring nod.


    Then I stepped forward, lifting my chin, voice steady.


    "It’s not Tang’s or Sawyer’s fault. I forced them to bring me. So... if someone needs to be punished, let it be me."


    I extended my hand, palm up, like a challenge.


    Sebastian’s expression softened. A faint smile appeared.


    We locked eyes.


    Then he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. His expression still cool, but noticeably softer.


    "I should be furious," he said, voice low. "But then you show up in my clothes, looking like that, and suddenly I forget why."


    I blinked. "You’re seriously ming the outfit?"


    He gave a slow, dramatic once-over. "It’s highly distracting."


    I bit back augh and tugged the jacket tighter around me.


    "So what now? Am I your idental date?"


    "idental implies I didn’t want it to happen," he said. "You’re with me tonight. Own it."


    I nced around. A few guests were already sneaking nces, whispering.


    "People are definitely watching."


    "Good," he said, offering his arm like this was all perfectly choreographed. "Let them."


    I went silent.


    The other two didn’t dare say a word either.


    Author’s pov


    Their other teammate, Evelyn, had already slipped into the crowd the second they entered the ballroom--dodging Sebastian’s fury with the ease of someone who’d done it a hundred times before.


    She reappeared minutester, heels tapping softly against the polished floor.


    Her gazended on her fiancé, Vance, standing stiffly apart from the group--arms crossed, jaw clenched.


    His eyes flicked to Cecilia, lingering a beat too long on Sebastian’s jacket draped over her shoulders.


    "Isn’t she adorable?" Evelyn said lightly, as if she hadn’t just ghosted the aftermath of a near meltdown.


    Vance shot her a look that could freeze champagne.


    "Why did you even bring her? She’s just stirring up trouble."


    "Oh,e on," she said, slipping her arm through his with theatrical sweetness. "Interrupting your little Sebastian fantasy, am I?"


    "We’re just friends," he snapped. Too fast.


    Unfazed, Evelyn tilted his chin up with two fingers. "Please. I know that face. That’s your jealous-and-sulky look."


    Vance scoffed. "I’m not jealous. I just don’t think your girl knows what she’s doing. She’s walking into this whole thing blind."


    That earned him a slow, razor-edged smile.


    Her grip on his jaw tightened, just enough to make him flinch.


    "Call my girl clueless again," she said softly, "and you’ll be sleeping on the floor. With a ck eye."


    He winced. "Okay, okay. Jesus."


    "Don’t push me." She patted his cheek lightly--though the impact felt less like affection and more like a warning.


    Then, just like that, she smiled brightly and tugged him back toward the group, as if none of it had happened.


    They’d known each other since they were kids.


    On paper, the engagement made sense--high society pedigree, perfectly bnced legacies.


    Evelyn’s family had old European titles and new tech money. Vance’s family had legacy wealth and political clout. A headline-ready match.


    Of course, things were rarely that tidy.


    The "princess" preferred soft, seductive women. The "prince" leaned toward tall, emotionally distant men.


    But somehow, it worked.


    Toxic, maybe. But functional.


    After giving her fiancé a quick attitude adjustment, Evelyn tugged him toward the group with a dazzling smile.