Love In Disguise: Rebirth of the Heiress
Chapter 105

Chapter 105: Chapter 105

The rest of the luncheon carried on in a predictable swirl of shallow conversations and forced laughter.

Despite Gabriel’s earlier theatrics, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction. It wasn’t every day you got to put a man like him in his place.

The event organizers called for everyone to settle into their seats, and I found myself at a table near the back, away from most of the commotion. The clinking of cutlery and hushed chatter filled the room as a string quartet played softly in the background.

Each course arrived like clockwork—a delicate appetizer of smoked salmon and caviar, followed by a creamy soup served in ornate porcelain bowls. I barely touched the food, my appetite dulled by the adrenaline still coursing through me. Instead, I sipped on my sparkling water and watched the crowd.

The room was a kaleidoscope of power and wealth. Designers in tailored suits, women in dresses that cost more than most people’s rent, and executives shaking hands over whispered deals. It was a world I was used to now, but I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider still.

A speech began—something about the future of the company, growth, and teamwork. I tuned most of it out, letting the words fade into the background as I glanced at my phone. The camera feed from Jessica’s workspace was still active, and I quickly skimmed through it.

Nothing yet.

I looked up just in time to see Gabriel sulking at a table across the room, his expression dark. Jessica wasn’t far from him, her eyes darting around like a predator scanning for its next prey. Typical.

I was about to return to my phone when a sudden hush fell over the room.

A waiter had stumbled into the center of the hall, clutching his chest. His tray clattered to the ground, sending glasses of wine and plates of hors d’oeuvres scattering.

The silence was broken by a scream as the waiter collapsed, writhing on the floor.

"What’s happening?" someone near me whispered, their voice trembling.

Another waiter rushed to his side, only to recoil as the man’s body began to convulse violently. His face twisted in agony, and his veins seemed to darken under his skin.

I froze, my breath caught in my throat. This wasn’t normal.

"Everyone, please stay calm," one of the organizers shouted, their voice trembling as they tried to maintain control.

But calm wasn’t an option.

Another man—a guest this time—suddenly let out a loud cream, clutching his head as he fell to his knees. His chair toppled over, drawing more gasps and screams from the crowd.

Panic rippled through the room as people scrambled to get away, knocking over tables and chairs in their haste.

"What the hell is going on?" I muttered, my heart racing.

And then I saw it.

A shadow.

It darted across the ceiling, barely visible but distinctly there, like smoke twisting and curling in the air.

"Kiara!"

I turned to see Jason rushing toward me, his face pale but determined.

"What’s happening?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"No time," he said, grabbing my arm. "We need to get out of here. Now."

"But—"

"Now, Kiara," he snapped, his grip firm as he pulled me toward the nearest exit.

Behind us, chaos erupted. Tables overturned, glasses shattered, and screams filled the air. That shadow... whatever it was, seemed to grow, spreading like ink through water.

Jason shoved the door open, pulling me into the empty hallway. The sudden quiet was jarring, but it didn’t last long.

"Stay close," Jason said, his voice low and urgent.

"What is it?" I demanded, trying to keep up with his quick strides.

"I don’t know," he admitted. "But it’s not human."

My stomach dropped. Not human. Of course not. Why would anything in my life be normal anymore?

As we turned a corner, the sound of footsteps echoed behind us. Jason stopped abruptly, pushing me behind him.

"Stay here," he ordered.

"No way," I said, stepping forward.

"Kiara," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Before I could protest further, a figure emerged from the shadows. It wasn’t a shadow this time. It was a man.

But his eyes... his eyes were pitch black.

Jason tensed, his posture shifting into something predatory.

"Stay back," he warned.

The man lunged, faster than I could track, but Jason was ready. He shoved me back and intercepted the attack with a force that sent both of them crashing into the wall.

"Run, Kiara!" Jason shouted, his voice raw with urgency.

I hesitated for a split second, torn between fleeing and staying, but the chaos in the room was escalating. Another shadow moved in the corner of my eye, and I took a step back, the urge to survive overriding my need to stay.

But before I could turn, rough hands grabbed me from behind.

"Got her!" a voice growled, pulling me off my feet.

I screamed, thrashing against the grip, but they were too strong. Jason turned, his eyes wild as he tried to push the black-eyed man off him, but it was too late. A bag was shoved over my head, and my world went dark.

---

The bag was rough and smelled of mildew, scratching against my face as I was thrown into what felt like a vehicle. The hard surface of the floor bit into my knees as I struggled to regain my balance. My shoulder throbbed from where I’d been dragged, and my breaths came in short, panicked bursts.

"Keep her quiet," a voice snarled.

A sharp kick landed on my ribs, and I bit back a cry of pain. The vehicle roared to life, the hum of the engine vibrating beneath me as we sped away.

The bag was ripped from my face and my eyes slowly adjusted to the night.

Three men. A driver. Pitch black eyes man and the other man, with a burnt face, both eyes back to normal.

"Who the hell is she?" one of the men asked.

"Doesn’t matter," another replied. "We’ve got orders. Take her to the spot, make her scream, and leave nothing of her when we’re done.."

The words were cold, calculated, and filled with malice. My stomach churned, but fear didn’t consume me. Not entirely.

I’ve been through worse, I reminded myself, swallowing hard. You’ve survived before. You’ll survive this too.

I focused on the voices around me, counting at least three. The one driving, the one who had kicked me, and another who hadn’t spoken yet.

"What’s the plan?" one of them asked, his tone casual, as if they were discussing dinner plans.

"Cut her," the driver said. "Cut her parts too. Make her wish she was dead before we’re done with her."

The second one laughed. "Gonna fuck her dumb first, though. Look at her, all high and mighty. Bet she screams real pretty."

My nails dug into my palms, the pain grounding me. Fear was a weapon, but not theirs—it was mine. I’d use it to survive.

They’re underestimating you, Kiara. Let them.

The vehicle hit a bump, and I shifted, testing the rope around my wrists. Loose. Just enough to wiggle free if I timed it right.

The moment came when the driver cursed, the car screeching to a halt.

"Damn traffic," he growled.

One of them turned to check on me, and I saw my opening. I twisted my wrists, freeing my hands, and lashed out with my foot, catching him square in the jaw.

"What the—"

I didn’t wait for them to react. Grabbing the closest object—a metal pipe—I swung it at the man nearest me. The sickening crack of impact sent him sprawling, but before I could make a run for it, pain exploded in my shoulder.

A gunshot.

I stumbled, clutching my shoulder as warm blood seeped between my fingers. My vision blurred, but I forced myself to move, adrenaline drowning out the pain.

"Shoot her again!" someone barked.

"No! We need her alive!" another snapped.

I staggered toward the door, kicking it open with every ounce of strength I had left.

But I wasn’t powerful enough, they grabbed me and push me against the vehicle ground.

I groaned in pain as they held me down.

Scarred face man grinned, his hands going to my throat.

"You sick bitch!" He slapped me my head hitting the side.

Blood gushed out from my nose, my ears and eyes.

But I didn’t give up instead I spat on his face.

"Fuck you!"

That did it.

He hit my head and I was knocked out quickly.