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Novel Catalog
Chapter_94
An Uninvited Guest
I quietly cracked open the door and slipped out of the private room, returning to the main hall as if nothing had transpired. I plastered a warm smile on my face, greeting the guests and long-time clients who had become like family to the Murphy legacy. Their unwavering support over the years had meant the world to us.
Matthew, beaming with pride, introduced our daughter to the guests, showing her off as if she were the jewel of the evening. I shook my head in disbelief. He seemed to think that dressing Ava up like a little lady would somehow transform her into one.
I was sure many of the attendees were watching, their attention piqued by the recent social media buzz surrounding our family. But I couldn’t seem to find Melanie anywhere.
Ava was perched on her grandmother’s lap, and people were admiring her, enchanted by her angelic beauty. My heart melted every time I saw her. She was pure innocence in this world, and I wished with all my being that she could remain this happy forever.
Then, twenty minutes later, my phone rang. I saw Atlas’s name flash on the screen, and a mix of nerves and apprehension coursed through me. What was he up to now? Why did he want to meet me in the guest room?
I stepped aside from the crowd, distancing myself from the noise and bustle of the hall, and answered the call.
“Hurry upstairs. Now!” he commanded, his tone unyielding. Before I could say a word, the call ended, and my irritation flared. How dare he boss me around like this?
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and scanned the hall one last time. Curiosity won over as I slipped out of the grand hall, making my way to the elevator and heading up to the eighth-floor guest rooms.
I found the right door by following the room number on the card, but before I could even touch the handle, a strong arm pulled me into an embrace, and a finger was pressed to my lips in a silencing motion. I froze.
Though I didn’t dare make a sound, I could feel the steady rhythm of his heart beneath my ear. We stood there, waiting. Ten minutes passed, and then the sounds of footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Atlas pointed to the peephole, and I leaned forward to look out. What I saw left me baffled. Unexpected visitors had arrived, and they were carrying cameras.
My heart sank, and I turned to Atlas in disbelief. He quickly turned my face back to the peephole, whispering urgently, “Watch closely.”
I pressed against the door, trying to ignore the awkwardness of our position as I was so absorbed in what was unfolding outside. Atlas’s grip on my waist tightened, and his breath brushed against my ear.
“What are they here for?” I asked in a hushed voice, confusion making my tone sharper than I intended.
“Shh,” Atlas replied, his voice quiet yet firm.
The woman leading the group was none other than Lauren, the same woman who had been injured a few days earlier during a confrontation with Matthew. It seemed her injuries had nearly healed. I watched, still in shock, as she directed the group to the room across from ours.
As the crowd gathered, I noticed some familiar faces—guests who had attended our celebration. A sinking feeling took hold of me. Something wasn’t right.
Lauren gave a signal to one of the young men with her and pointed at the door, saying, “Open it!”
My mind raced as I tried to piece together what was happening. Was she planning to expose an affair? The young man quickly unlocked the door, and before I could react, the crowd surged inside, all of them pushing through as if they’d rehearsed the move.
In a flash of realization, I knew what I had to do. I quickly stepped out of Atlas’s embrace and rushed out of the room, lifting my dress as I ran down the corridor.
Just as I left the room, a woman’s scream pierced the air, followed by a man’s voice shouting, “W-what do you think you’re doing? Who let you in? Get out!”
I froze. That voice—it was so familiar.