The bodyguard standing outside the castle gates had a presence that was hard to ignore. When Sophie handed over her invitation, she was a bit on edge, worried they''d ask for fingerprint scans or face recognition-stuff that could reallyplicate things. But the bodyguard just gave it a quick once-over and waved her in.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Sophie couldn''t help but think, "Seriously? That easy?"


    This castle was one of the top three architectural wonders internationally, usually swarming with tourists during the day. Yet somehow, someone had pulled off hosting a private dinner party here.


    Once inside, Sophie noticed a security checkpoint. The scanners were busy making sure no one was sneaking in anything they shouldn''t be. Sophie was unarmed, but Colby, looking out for her, had set her up with a Bluetooth earpiece so they could stay in touch. They figured their best bet was to split up-Sophie would head in first, with Colby following.


    After thinking it over, Sophie decided to ditch the earpiece, tossing it into a corner where it wouldn''t draw attention. As she moved further in, she saw a guy ahead being hauled off by two bodyguards because the rm went off. People around didn''t even bat an eye-it was just another Tuesday for them.


    The guy''s screams echoed through the castle, a stark contrast to its grand setting, making Sophie shiver. She couldn''t help but wonder what fate she might''ve faced if she''d kept the earpiece.


    Once inside, the ce was a sensory


    overload, like a hedonistic yground. There was a dance


    floor, gambling tables, and things you wouldn''t believe unless you saw them. There were women being auctioned off, barely dressed unting themselves in sheer lingerie. On the flip side, there were male escorts, all chiseled and


    masked, catching the eye of wealthy women.


    met


    Sophie took it all in, scanning the room for any sign of The Silent Shadows. Phones were a no-go here; instead, everyone wore wristbands with numbers. When it was time to leave, payments were handled through these wristbands, hinting that everyone here had stashed away quite a bit of cash.


    Despite her thorough search, Sophie didn''t find any leads on The Silent Shadows. As the lights dimmed, the air thickened with a sultry vibe, throwing her back to a party she''d been to in Summerfield, hosted by Odie. The sweet, lingering aromas confirmed it.


    Holding her breath, Sophie found a


    spot near a vent, trying to avoid breathing in too much of that heady scent. The party reached its peak with everyone''s faces lit up with joy,ughter, and chatter filling the room like they were all in some kind of dreand.


    Sophie felt lightheaded, almost like she''d had a bit too much to drink, her emotions threatening to spill over. Leaning against a pir to get her bearings, she nced up and saw a stunning phoenix, with a bright sun logo shining beneath it.