Four days later.

Sunday, Masquerade Ball. ​​

Laura has already fitted the masquerade costume that Rebecca had gifted her. Surprisingly, the costume fits her body curves perfectly well, as if it was tailored to fit for her. How did Graven's fiancee get her body measurement? That confused her.

She stared at the red velvet garment, hanging inside the closet. It's a glamorous body fit gown that reached her ankle with a halter neckline. She was glad that it's not showing much of her cleavage. She doesn't want Cooper and other males in the party gawking at her ample cleavage. The garment also comes with a sexy gold lace eye mask.

She was not expecting to have fun at the ball tonight especially that Cooper is with her and she will be seeing a lot of Graven and Rebecca. Although she's no longer interested to attend the masquerade ball, she can't pretend that she's sick again. She used that reason several times already.

She sat on the edge of the bed and breathed deeply.

If she can't avoid Graven and Rebecca's presence tonight then she might as well pretend that they didn't exist!

Sighing... she went to the bathroom to take a long bath to condition her mind.

Dinner on that day was served early at 5:00 so that they still have enough time to dress for the party.

After dinner, they all went upstairs to prepare for the Masquerade Party.

Laura went to her room and changed into her masquerade costume.

A few hours later she was done dressing.

She exited the room, walked into the hallway, and went downstairs. She will wait for them in the living room.

A few minutes later, a carriage stopped in front of the entrance of the house.

Laura took a peek to see the visitors. Her heart beats faster when she saw Graven getting out of the carriage followed by Rebecca. She returned to her seat and pretend that she didn't know that they're coming.

Graven and Rebecca entered the living room and saw Laura sitting alone on the couch.

"Hello sis, Laura! Wow, you look fabulous in the costume that I made for you!" Rebecca exclaimed and went to Laura's side.

Laura saw Graven settled on the couch facing the door. She has to put up a show. "Thank you so much, Rebecca! I owe you this one!" she smiled, feeling grateful to her.

Rebecca smiled. "Don't mention it. It's my pleasure!" she said, giggling.

A few minutes later. Cooper and his father descended the stairway. The men looked dashing in their victorian party costume, holding their eye masks in their hands.

Nicholas looked at everyone. "Looks like we are all ready to go. Shall we-?" he said.

"Yes!" they replied in unison.

They rose to their feet and exited the door. Two carriages were waiting outside. Graven and Rebecca went to their carriage while Cooper and Laura together with Sir Nicholas boarded the second carriage.

The ride towards the Mayor's Pavilion was comfortable and smooth, which only takes twenty minutes.

When they arrived at the location of the party - it's already 8:00 in the evening.

The Mayor's Pavilion is an open architecture composed of high roofs but no walls, surrounded by lush gardens and man-made fountains, lakes, and koi ponds. On the right side was the Mayor's huge sprawling mansion.

The Pavilion was already packed with guests wearing colorful masquerade costumes. An endless array of chairs and tables laden with foods and drink as well as special wines were scattered throughout the place.

There was loud music as well to entertain the guests - composed of politicians, wealthy friends of the families, businessmen, and other high esteemed guests.

Nicholas's entourage chose a table far away from the podium.

One hour later.

The Mayor walked into the podium and everyone cheered. He gave a fifteen minutes speech thanking everyone for attending and enjoying the party that celebrates his 70th birthday.

After the Mayor's speech, spectacular fireworks erupted into the sky that lasted for five minutes. Then the bright music, dancing, eating, and drinking resumed.

Rebecca stood up and grabbed Laura's hand. "Let's go to the koi pond! I want to see the colorful fishes!" she said.

Laura looked at her father-in-law for permission. "Father, can we go to the koi pond?" she asked.

Nicholas nodded his head. "Go on..." he gives his permission.

The girls proceed to the koi pond located thirty meters away from their table.

There are a few ladies and men that ventured into that area as well. Some of them were couples, wanting to get away from the crowd, sitting on the Bermuda grass, relaxing and holding drinks in their hands.

They edges closer to the koi pond and was delighted to see the colorful fishes in the water.

"Aren't they cute?" Rebecca giggled.

Laura nods her head. "Indeed! They're super cute!" she commented.

Then a waiter came to their side. "Ladies, want some drinks?" he offered.

"Yes!" Rebecca took one glasses from the tray. "What's this?" she asked the waiter.

"Apple berry juice," the waiter replied with a smile.

Laura said, she took one glass and began sipping the drink. "Thank you!"

"You love koi fishes?" the waiter asked.

"Yes!" Rebecca smiled.

"We have a much bigger koi fishes at the back of the mansion. It is the Mayor's private koi pond. I can take you there for a few minutes to watch the pond. It has much bigger fishes than this one here," he offered.

"I think the Mayor will get angry," Laura said.

"No, as long you are one of the visitors here, he won't mind. It's just a few minutes of viewing," he offered.

"Okay, lead us to the pond! I wanna see it!" Rebecca said excitedly. She grabbed Laura's hand as they followed the waiter at the back of the mansion.

A few minutes later.

They arrived at a koi pond which housed bigger carp fishes than the ones near the pavilion. It was located in a much more secluded and quieter place.

"Wow! The carp fishes are much bigger here!" Rebecca giggled.

"Girls, I leave you here to deliver more drinks to the guest. Just find your way out after you are done viewing the fishes. I'll take my leave now," he said and left the area going back to the pavilion.

The girls watched the koi pond with awe, delighted by the bigger carp fishes swimming in the water.

A few minutes later.

Laura felt dizzy and lowered herself on the floor, she felt like she was going to faint. "Rebecca...I feel dizzy!" she said putting her hand on her temple.

Rebecca looked at her. "Me too! What's going on?" she said. Trying to step forward but can barely move her feet. She lowered herself on the floor beside Laura and closed her eyes.

The two women fainted side by side.

Two shadows wearing black hooded cloaks were watching the girls' movement a few meters away.

When they noticed that their target was no longer moving, they left their hiding place and rushed towards the girls. They picked up the girls and lifted them on their shoulders as they ran with lightning speed towards the wall of the mansion, rising above it and disappeared in the bushes and trees below the wall outside the mansion, where a carriage was waiting the whole time.