Chapter 174: The Familiar

bChapter /b174: The Familiar Masked Man

Chapter 174: The Familiar Masked Man

(God’s POV)

Isabe ckwood staggered backward, her face turning deathly pale. Having previously targeted Elena so aggressively in front of everyone, no one stepped forward to defend her now.

The socialites who had once ttered her now deliberately avoided eye contact. They whispered among themselves, clearly distancing themselves from her humiliation.

Elena tugged at Adrian Whitmore’s sleeve, whispering softly, “Don’t mind her anymore. With so many pack members present, the banquet can’te to a halt because of one person.”

Adrian came to his senses and smiled, saying he had forgotten about this matter. He looked toward Samuel Whitmore, asking if the banquet could begin now.

Samuel nodded and began greeting the guests. The crowd dispersed, gathering in small groups to drink moonlight wine and chat casually.

Isabe stood frozen in ce, while the socialites in their circle deliberately avoided greeting her to distance themselves. She had never suffered such humiliation before.

When did it all start going wrong? Was it when she began targeting Elena, or when Elena started fighting back?

It seemed that from that moment on, nothing had gone smoothly for her. Feeling too embarrassed to remain at the banquet, the isted Isabe turned and left.

At this time, no one paid attention to her departure or even noticed she had gone.

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

Elena and Adrian danced the first waltz together. The music flowed elegantly through the courtyard as they moved in perfect synchronization.

Adrian smiled warmly, saying he hadn’t expected his sister to dance the waltz so well. His eyes sparkled bwith /bgenuine pride and affection.

Elena looked up at him teasingly, asking who he was looking down on. Her voice carried yful indignation

that made him chuckle.

He replied that he really couldn’t bear to hand her over to another man, ncing toward Hugo Ashworth. When the music changed, it was time to exchange dance partners.

Adrian gently released her hand, intending to pass her to Hugo, but unexpectedlyb, /bba /bmasked man bintercepted /bthem. He was caught off guard and forced to bept /bbthe /bman’s dance bpartner/b.

Both he and Hugo had bto /bstop and watch Elena with the mysterious masked man. bTheir /bbexpressions /bbshowed /bconfusion and concern bat /bthis unexpected interruption.

Elena ced her hand on the masked man’s bshoulder/bb, /bblooking /bbup /bbat /bbthe /bbfigure /bbwhose /bbface /bbwas /bbmostly /bbconcealed/b. Her bheart /bbsuddenly /btrembled.

Chapter 174: The Familiar

His build, eyes, and facial contours all resembled Marcus ckwood remarkably, except bfor /bbthe /bbunfamiliar /bcologne scent that wasn’t something he would wear. The expensive fragrance was too refined, btoo /bsophisticated for Marcus’s usual preferences.

When the man met her gaze, he looked away indifferently without saying a word, leading her dance steps bto /bmatch the rhythm. His movements were fluid and confident, betraying familiarity with formal dancing.

Thinking of the news about Marcus going abroad for treatment, Eleria smiled self–mockingly – how could bit /bpossibly be him? The timing made no sense given his supposed medical condition.

The other two men, bound by etiquette, couldn’t abandon their dance partners and had to continue. Their eyes remained fixed on Elena and her mysterious partner throughout the dance.

When the social dance ended, the masked man released her and immediately disappeared into the crowd. His departure was swift and deliberate, as if he had aplished his purpose.

Elena stared at his retreating figure, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. Something about his presence

felt hauntingly familiar yet impossibly distant.

Hugo approached her, following her gaze and asking if she knew him. His voice carried subtle concern and

curiosity about the mysterious stranger.

She looked away and shook her head, saying she didn’t recognize him. The lie felt iheavy /ion her tongue, but

she couldn’t voice her suspicions.

Suddenly, someone in the venue screamed, “There’s a viper!” The piercing cry cut through the elegant

atmosphere like a de.

Hugo instinctively pulled Elena behind him. His protective instincts kicked in immediately, shielding her from

potential danger.

When the crowd saw what it was, chaos erupted. Guests began pushing and shoving, trying to distance

themselves from the threat.

“It’s a silver viperling! A deadly snake! Everyone be careful not to get bitten!” The warning spread through the

crowd like wildfire.

Samuel had to step forward to control the situation, shouting for security to remove it quickly. His authoritative voice cut through the panic, trying to restore order.

The silver viperling slithered under tables and chairs. Frightened and threatened by the security guards. approaching with silver–tipped sticks, bit /bcoiled into an attack position, hissing with its mouth open.

omous

Sandy, who had been stunned, finally realized her box had been opened, but how could it contai snake when she was told it would only be an ordinary snake? Her face went white with terror and confusion.

Before she could think further, the crowded people behind her suddenly pushed her aside, causing bher /bbto /bfall to the ground right in front of the snake. Shended hard, her evening dress tearing on the rough ground.

The silver viperling lunged forward and bit her arm. Sandy’s scream pierced the air as the snake’s bfangs /bbsank /b

into her flesh.

After security caught the snake with silver–tipped weapons, only Sandy’s bcries /bbremained /bbin /bbthe /bbvenue/b. bThe /belegant banquet bhad /btransformed into a scene of medical emergency.

Before bthe /bambnce arrived, Elena tied off bSandy’s /bbwound /bban /bbinch /bbabove /bbthe /bbbite /bwith a bcloth /bbstrip/b.

Chapter 174: The Familiar

instructing her firmly: “From now on, don’t stand up, don’t move, and don’t panic, or the venom will quickly bspread /bto your heart.”

Sandy trembled, asking if she would die. Her voice was weak and filled with terror at the possibility of death

Elena replied that she wouldn’t. When Sandy asked why she was helping her, Elena paused before answering

“I’m a healer.”

When the ambnce arrived, paramedics loaded Sandy onto a stretcher. Samuel asked Adrian to entertain the guests while he apanied the ambnce with security, feeling responsible since they had brought Sandy to the Northern Territory.

Adrian went to reassure the guests and asked Hugo ito /itake care of Elena. The remaining guests were visibly shaken by the evening’s dramatic turn of events.

As Hugo escorted Elena into the living room, all the lights in the vi suddenly went out, plunging everything intoplete darkness.

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