Chapter 3
“Take your family fight back home?”
Those words meant—
That the man knew who Chloe was, and why she had come here.
“And he said he broke the glass on purpose…”
The sound of shattering she heard earlier—when she almost lost control in front of Roeni and Lucian—
Was that him?
If so, it meant he had already predicted what she would do… and distracted her on purpose.
Just who is he?
How can he say things like that so easily to someone he just met?
It felt as if her thoughts had been seen through in an instant.
But she had to stay calm.
Chloe steadied her gaze and spoke carefully again.
“I don’t understand what you mean. I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
She couldn’t see his face or expression as he leaned close to her ear.
But she could clearly feel—
That he had let out a quiet laugh.
“I know who you are. And I know why you sneaked in here like a rat.”
Her shoulders almost flinched.
That couldn’t be possible.
She had spent a huge amount of money to make sure no one could find out her identity.
So how… how does this man know?
“I heard that trying to investigate each other here is against the rules.”
Her voice turned even stiffer as she forced herself not to tremble.
But the man did not let go.
“I already investigated you before.”
His tone was cold and emotionless.
“Chloe… Enrite.”
Thump—
Her heart dropped.
How does he know my name…?
Her mind spun in confusion.
Weren’t masks supposed to hide everything?
Yet this man spoke her full name without hesitation.
And not only that—
He even knew why she had come here.
“Who are you?”
Still, Chloe stayed cautious.
She refused to be shaken by him.
After steadying her eyes, she asked back,
“Are you trying to threaten me because you know who I am? Will that benefit you somehow?”
For a moment—
His breath stopped.
“What…?”
He had expected her to cry and run away after being cornered like this.
But Chloe Enrite was not what he expected.
“From what you said earlier… telling me not to disturb the gathering and to take my family matters home…”
This time, Chloe leaned closer to his ear.
Her soft pink lips curved slightly.
“It seems like you really don’t want this place to be exposed because of me.”
At that moment—
The control of the conversation shifted.
“I was already planning to leave anyway. I don’t intend to stay long.”
“I only stayed to say a few words because I couldn’t tolerate your rude behavior.”
For a brief moment, she felt the strength of his hand behind her head loosen.
Taking the chance, Chloe stepped back.
“Everything that happens here must remain secret. So even if you know who I am, you won’t reveal it easily, right?”
“….”
“I am curious why someone like you investigated me. But right now, that’s not what matters most to me.”
Having said everything she wanted, Chloe turned without hesitation.
“Then, goodbye.”
She started walking away.
Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she headed toward the exit.
If only she hadn’t looked—
But once again—
She saw them.
Roeni and Lucian.
This time, they were lying on a long sofa, tangled together, exploring each other as if they couldn’t get enough—
Like two snakes desperate to entwine.
“I barely endured even seeing them kiss…”
How far had they gone behind her back?
How much had they shared?
And was it really just once?
Endless, ugly thoughts filled her mind.
“Roeni. Lucian. I will make both of you cry tears of blood.”
Even as she made that vow—
Tears began to gather in her pale gray eyes behind the mask.
She couldn’t ignore it.
Pretending not to see felt as hard as pushing a giant boulder uphill.
At that moment—
A large hand suddenly covered her eyes.
He must have felt her tears falling beneath it.
Yet he didn’t remove his hand.
He blocked her vision completely.
“Endure it.”
That voice—
She knew who it belonged to.
But Chloe didn’t want to look miserable in front of him.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to interfere.”
She tried to pull his arm away.
But his strength didn’t budge.
He kept her eyes covered.
“You’re not fine. But…”
The man who had been silent until now finally spoke again.
“You’re smarter than I expected. You already know—it’s a foolish thing to do.”
Chloe let out a faint laugh.
“What do you know about my pain?”
“Nothing. But I won’t stand by and watch you cause a scene here.”
Before she could fully understand his forceful attitude—
“So if you quietly come with me and leave this place… I’ll let you use me for your revenge.”
Suddenly—
He lifted Chloe over his shoulder.
“—!”
She didn’t even have time to speak.
Moving quickly, he carried her out of the basement.
“Hey!”
Only then did Chloe shout, hitting his back and struggling.
But she couldn’t escape from his strong hold.
Even carrying her, he climbed the stairs effortlessly.
“O-Oh, you’re leaving already—”
“Don’t let anyone leave the tavern.”
Passing the bartender, who seemed to know him, he walked straight outside.
Whoosh—
The harsh winter wind and heavy snow hit them.
Chloe shivered.
The man finally set her down.
Standing on the ground again, Chloe frowned deeply.
“What are you trying to do? Who do you think you are, interfering in my business like this?!”
Then she recalled his earlier words and let out a bitter laugh.
“And you said you’d help me with revenge? Sorry, but do you even have any value for me to use?”
Despite her sharp words, the man didn’t react.
Instead—
He stepped closer, casting a large shadow over her.
Then—
He removed his mask and threw it to the ground.
“You need to know who I am first… before you decide.”
“Whether I’m worth using or not.”
There was barely any light outside the tavern.
For a moment, she couldn’t see his face clearly.
But Chloe stared at him, ignoring the cold.
And then—
As her vision adjusted—
She finally saw him.
Under his dark, finely shaped eyebrows—
Those red eyes she had seen before.
Like burning rubies.
A sharp nose and defined jawline gave him both strength and beauty.
His black hair, like midnight, swayed in the winter wind under the dim light.
