C4 The Ball Ends

Exhausted from standing around, Qiao Yiyi decided to head over to the food area for a bite to eat. Glancing up, she noticed someone seated at a distant long table. From her vantage point, she could make out his profile: he was clad in a dark blue knight's uniform adorned with gleaming silver buttons, sitting with impeccable posture as he ate with grace.

Qiao Yiyi caught her breath—it was the peculiar man she had noticed earlier, and he had finally arrived.

He must have felt her stare because he turned to look her way. Across the expanse of the dance floor, past the throng of handsome men and beautiful women, their eyes met.

His gaze was deep and chilling, sending a shiver through Qiao Yiyi. She quickly diverted her eyes, but she could still feel his intense stare fixed on her.

Just then, someone asked her to dance. Without a second thought, Qiao Yiyi accepted, eager to escape the man's penetrating gaze.

As they moved onto the dance floor, before her partner could even wrap his arm around her waist, the music abruptly ceased.

Confused, everyone halted and looked around. A soothing, melodious voice came over the loudspeaker, "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's ball has come to an end."

Surprise registered on every face—it wasn't late, so why was the ball ending so abruptly?

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, the voice continued, "Please, quiet down."

His tone was gentle yet firm, and the once-bustling ballroom fell silent. It was clear he had more to announce.

In the hush, Patriarch Mo ascended to the podium, his gaze lightly skimming over the attendees as if searching for someone in particular.

The crowd buzzed with anticipation. Was it time to reveal who would be the lucky person to become Miss Mo's confidante?

The women instinctively stepped forward, while the men graciously fell back. Qiao Yiyi, not one for such excitement, remained among those at the rear.

The voice over the loudspeaker spoke again, "Miss Qiao Xinya, please come forward."

Qiao Xinya let out a soft squeal, barely containing her thrill. As a seasoned socialite and a somewhat renowned celebrity, she managed to maintain her composure, gracefully stepping forward and lifting her gaze to meet the middle-aged man towering above on the stage.

Qiao Yiyi was taken aback. She hadn't expected Qiao Xinya to actually snag the good fortune!

"Are you Qiao Xinya?" The man on stage sounded unsure.

"Yes, Mr. Mo, I am Qiao Xinya."

"No, you're not Qiao Xinya," Mr. Mo countered, shaking his head. He suddenly glanced upwards, prompting everyone to look up, but the upstairs corridor was empty.

The voice over the speaker remained calm, "Miss Qiao Xinya, please step forward."

Qiao Yiyi's heart raced. She remembered that just an hour ago, she had told the pianist upstairs that she was Qiao Xinya.

She quickly lowered her head, even bending at the waist, trying to make herself invisible.

At that moment, the crowd parted, creating a pathway. Qiao Yiyi caught sight of a pair of glossy leather boots coming into view. She slowly looked up to see Mr. Mo approaching from the stage.

His piercing gaze shot through the eyeholes of his mask, sharp and unyielding.

Qiao Yiyi shivered inwardly, yet outwardly she maintained a nonchalant demeanor, standing her ground.

Mr. Mo's voice, colder than the one from the speaker, asked, "Are you Miss Qiao Xinya?"

Before Qiao Yiyi could respond, someone dashed forward and ripped off her mask, declaring, "She's not Qiao Xinya; her name is Qiao Yiyi. I am the real Qiao Xinya!" The accuser then shoved her aside.

Qiao Yiyi stumbled from the push, but thankfully, someone in the crowd steadied her, preventing a fall. That hand, however, was unnaturally cold, sending a chilling wave of familiarity through her.