<h4>Chapter 281: Chapter 281 When ns Collide</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    I was just starting to rx into the awkward dinner when my phone buzzed.


    ncing at the screen, I saw Yvonne’s name sh across it. Oh, right. She said she mighte by tonight.


    "Excuse me," I said as I stood, keeping my tone calm and my smile polite."I need to take this."


    Nobody tried to stop me. Not even Sebastian. He knew I wasn’t going anywhere.


    And that was the thing about me. I finished what I started. Even if it meant sitting through a dinner that felt like bad reality TV.


    Outside the room, I answered the call.


    "Hello?"


    "Cecilia! Are you there yet?" Yvonne’s voice chirped through the speaker, way too chipper.


    "I’m here. But..." I lowered my voice, ncing down the hallway. "This isn’t a business dinner. It’s... I was set up, Yvonne."


    She didn’t miss a beat. No gasp. Just that same sugar-sweet tone.


    "That’s fine! We’re still in the same restaurant. I’ll swing by and say hiter."


    "Absolutely not," I hissed. Panic red behind my ribs. This mess didn’t need another guest star.


    Sheughed, unbothered. Like this was all part of some si she was watching from the front row.


    "Alright, fine. I won’t barge in. But you have toe by my roomter. I got here early, my team isn’t even around yet, and I brought you something. Call it a peace offering for that aromatherapy mess. If you don’t show up, I’ll know you’re still mad at me."


    I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile.


    "Are you seriously guilt-tripping me right now?"


    "Is it working?"


    "Fine," I sighed."But I’m not staying. I’ll grab whatever it is and head back."


    "Perfect! I knew you’de around." She sounded utterly pleased with herself.


    She gave me the room number, and I hung up.


    Then I shot Sebastian a quick text: [Headed to the restroom.]


    Sending it bought me a few minutes of usible absence.


    Following Yvonne’s directions, I found myself outside the room she’d specified. The number on the polished door matched.


    I paused, my hand hovering for a second before I knocked.


    A voice called from inside: "Come in."


    It wasn’t Yvonne’s voice.


    I nced at the number again. It was the right one.


    But I’d already knocked. Someone was expecting me.


    After a beat, I pushed the door open.


    The sight that greeted me made my blood run cold.


    And there she was. Sebastian’s mother, Luna Regina. She sat like the ce belonged to her, like she’d been waiting there just for me.


    I froze in the doorway, breath caught in my throat. My eyes widened in disbelief.


    Luna Regina stood up. For a second she looked confused, then her face changed. She recognized me. I could see it clear as day.


    She stepped forward, eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t name.


    "It’s you," she said, her voice warm and certain."From the Dahlia’s G. You’re the one who helped me slip out of that whole mess. You were wearing this same green dress that night."


    A knowing smile touched her lips."Am I right, dear?"


    I forced a polite smile."...Yes. That was me."


    "Oh, thank God! I’ve finally found you!" she eximed, cing both hands on my shoulders like I was the long-lost heiress to a European estate.


    She looked me over from head to toe, her gaze sharp and searching.


    The way she stared at me made my skin crawl. She looked at me like she’d found something valuable in a bargain bin.


    "Gorgeous," she murmured. "Just as stunning as I imagined."


    "How... how are you here, ma’am?" I asked, keeping my tone polite while my brain spun in circles.


    "Someone texted me anonymously today," she said, practically vibrating with excitement."They described a scene from the masquerade that matched perfectly. So I came. And here you are! "


    "I see."


    Internally, I was writing Yvonne’s obituary. That backstabbing little traitor.


    Apparently, the universe had joined forces with my so-called friends to ruin what was left of my evening.


    Sebastian had lied and so did Yvonne.


    At this point, I half-expected my cat to be running a conspiracy newsletter.


    Luna Regina sped my hand like we were old friends. "Come, sit. Let’s catch up."


    "Ma’am, I... I actually have friends waiting in another room," I said, gently trying to free my hand.


    I was already calcting the fallout of this nightmare. How exactly did one exin to a table full of cks that the missing matriarch had been off plotting a rom subplot in another room?


    "I understand," she said, nodding sagely."You got an anonymous message too, didn’t you? That’s how you ended up here."


    I blinked, then nodded."Yes, exactly."


    Funny how love made people connect dots that were never on the same page.


    I just wondered how forgiving she’d be once she learned my real name.


    "What’s your name, darling?" she asked suddenly."You never told me at the ball."


    " I’m..." I began, the first syble of "Cecilia" forming on my lips when both our phones buzzed at the same time.


    We shared a brief, awkward smile and nced down at our screens.


    Mine was from Sebastian: [If you don’te back soon, we’ll be skeletons with good table manners.]


    Augh almost escaped me before I swallowed it down.


    Across the room, Luna Regina glided toward the window, her phone already at her ear. "Honestly, the secretary barely stayed. It’s better this way." she said, her voice hushed but pleased."Yes, My green angel is right here.We’ll be right down."


    Hearing her say that, my hands went cold. The phone just dropped from my grip,nding on the thick carpet without a sound.


    She ended the call and turned, her eyesnding on the device at my feet.


    Oh, dear, you dropped your phone," she said, her tone sugary sweet as she moved toward me.


    I grabbed it fast, like it could save me."Ma’am, I just remembered something urgent. My dog is missing. I have to go find him right now."


    I stood, ready to bolt.


    But Luna Regina caught my wrist like a woman who’d wrestled toddlers and won.


    "I’ll have someone find your dog. You’reing with me. I want to properly thank you over dinner."


    "That’s really not..."


    "Nonsense," she beamed, her eyes glinting with a mix of warmth and sheer determination.


    "Indulge me." she added, dropping her voice conspiratorially.


    "Ma’am, I REALLY need to find my dog," I said, trying not to sound like I was begging for my life.


    But she wasn’t hearing it.


    She linked her arm through mine with a firm, practiced ease, guiding me toward another door before I could even think of slipping away.


    Her steps were measured, her grip just polite but firm.


    It was over. The door clicked shut behind us.