Chapter 2
The string quartet transitioned into a slow, sweeping waltz, drawing a dozen couples onto the center of the marble floor. Grace stood near the edge of the dancing perimeter, her eyes scanning the crowd with a predator's quiet focus. Her background in competitive taekwondo had taught her to read the slightest shifts in human movement—the subtle transfer of weight, the tightening of a shoulder, the darting of an eye. Right now, all her instincts were screaming.
She walked toward the shadows beneath the grand staircase, carrying a tray of sparkling water. Lily was still standing there, a small, silent statue in her lavender dress. The little girl’s rosy cheeks were pale tonight, her eyes heavy and distant.
"Would you like some water, Miss Lily?" Grace asked, crouching down so she was at eye level with the child. She kept her voice steady and warm, void of the pity that most of the guests offered the orphan.
Lily did not respond. She stared blankly at the crystal glasses, her breathing shallow and slow.
Before Grace could try again, a tall man in a tailored gray suit stepped into the alcove. It was Vance Vale, Sabrina’s older brother. He had the same fair hair and sharp features as his sister, but his eyes lacked her practiced charm. They were cold, calculating, and currently fixed on Grace.
"The maid is offering you water, Lily," Vance said, his voice a low, smooth baritone. He stepped closer, invading the small, quiet space. "But I think you’d prefer your special milk, wouldn't you? It’s almost time for your evening routine."
Grace stood up slowly, her posture perfectly straight. She met Vance’s gaze, her expression neutral. "She seems a bit dehydrated, sir. A glass of water wouldn't hurt."
"I handle my future niece’s dietary needs, Grace," Vance replied, reading her nametag with a slow, deliberate blink. The micro-expression on his face was one of absolute disdain. "Sabrina is very particular about Lily's health. Run along and serve the guests who actually matter."
Grace held his gaze for a fraction of a second longer than was appropriate for a servant. "Of course, sir."
She turned and walked away, but she didn't go far. She slipped behind a massive floral arrangement near the catering doors, watching Vance. He leaned down, speaking into Lily's ear. The little girl physically shrank away from him, her small hands clutching the fabric of her lavender dress.
A moment later, Ethan appeared. The billionaire’s dark navy suit caught the light as he approached his niece.
"There you are, Lily," Ethan said, his voice softening instantly. He knelt on the marble floor, completely disregarding the expensive fabric of his trousers. He gently brushed a strand of hair from the girl's face. "Are you having a good time, sweetheart? You look tired."
"She’s just overwhelmed by the noise, Ethan," Vance interjected smoothly, offering a practiced, sympathetic smile. "Sabrina and I were just discussing taking her upstairs to rest."
Ethan sighed, a deep, tired sound that spoke of months of worry. "She hasn't been sleeping well. The doctors say it’s the trauma, but I hate seeing her like this. She’s like a ghost in her own home."
"Sabrina has a wonderful touch with her," Vance reassured him, patting Ethan’s shoulder. "Let us handle her evening routine tonight. You need to focus on your guests. You are the man of the hour, after all."
May you like
Ethan looked at Lily, his eyes filled with a restrained, desperate love. "Alright. Thank you, Vance. I appreciate how much you and Sabrina have stepped up."
From her hidden vantage point, Grace’s jaw tightened. The billionaire was a brilliant man in the boardroom, but in his grief and desperation to provide a mother figure for his niece, he was entirely blind to the vipers in his own home.
