“Rosemary… don’t move!” Adrian shouted, charging through the panicked crowd.

Cassandra, her face flushed with rage, glared at Rosemary with burning eyes. In her hand gleamed a pistol under the ballroom lights. “This time… you will pay for everything you’ve done!” she screamed, full of hatred.

Rosemary stumbled backward, her body trembling. “C-Cassandra… don’t! I never hurt you!”

But Cassandra didn’t care. The trigger was pulled, a loud gunshot echoed, and the crowd screamed and scattered in all directions.

With instinctive reflex, Adrian leapt in front of Rosemary. His body absorbed the bullet meant for her. He staggered backward, blood soaking his chest. His ragged breathing shook Rosemary to her...