Ace of Tonight

"Wow, this place is breathtaking."

I mumbled to myself as I stepped into the grand hall on the VIP floor. The décor was exquisite, far more luxurious than the ground floor. A renowned pianist played a soft melody on a grand piano while elegantly dressed couples swayed to the rhythm, their movements as graceful as the music itself.

"I need to find Mr. Hogg before anyone recognizes me," I thought, weaving my way through the crowd. Instead of heading left toward the main gathering, I turned right, toward the restricted area.

This floor was exclusively for elite guests, and the security was noticeably tighter. As I approached the corridor leading to the guest rooms, two guards immediately blocked my path.

"May we see your ID card, ma’am?" one of them asked sternly.

I forced a polite smile and pretended to rummage through my handbag. "Oh, of course! Just give me a moment."

After a brief pause, I let out a small sigh and said in my sweetest tone, "I’m so sorry, but I seem to have left it in my room."

One of the guards shook his head. "Without an ID, we can’t grant you access, ma’am."

I tried to reason with them, keeping my tone light. "But I don’t have it right now. Do you expect me to stay in the hall all night?"

The guards stood firm. "If you don’t have your ID, you’ll need to call someone who can retrieve it for you."

I tilted my head, feigning frustration. "But my room key is with me. How would they get in?"

"Apologies, ma’am, but rules are rules," one of them replied, his voice unwavering.

I let out an exaggerated sigh, raising my voice just enough to sound exasperated. "This is ridiculous! Is this how you treat your VIP guests? Can’t one of you escort me to my room and verify my identity?"

"That’s not possible, ma’am," the guard replied firmly. "Without your ID, we cannot let you through."

"What’s all this noise about?"

The deep, gravelly voice cut through the conversation. I turned and immediately recognized the man approaching us.

Mr. Hogg stood there, dressed in a sharp grey tuxedo with a glass of whiskey in hand. His round, flushed face broke into a wide smile as his gaze landed on me. "Well, well, what’s troubling such a lovely young lady?"

Flashing him my most radiant smile, I replied sweetly, "It seems I’ve misplaced my ID card, and these gentlemen won’t let me in. I feel so embarrassed. Should I just leave?" I added a subtle pout for effect.

His small eyes roamed over me, lingering on my curves a moment too long. His grin widened as he stepped closer. "Oh, no, no. That won’t do. Allow me to help you, young lady."

Feigning hesitance, I asked coyly, "Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to trouble you."

He waved my concern away with a laugh and gestured for the guards to step aside. "It’s no trouble at all. May I escort you to the private party?"

"Private party?" I echoed, tilting my head in mock curiosity.

"We’re hosting a poker game in the gambling den. Do you play?"

I shook my head. "I’ve never played poker, but a private party sounds exciting. Is it alright if I join?"

His grin grew wider. "Alright? The host himself is inviting you! You’re more than welcome."

"The host?" I gasped, feigning surprise. "Oh, my mistake. You’re Mr. Hogg?"

He chuckled, removing his golden masquerade mask to reveal his face. "Blame this silly theme. No masks are needed in the poker room. Why don’t you take yours off too? Let me see your lovely face."

I hesitated for a moment, then smiled and removed my mask. My rare purple eyes sparkled like amethysts under the chandelier lights. My golden hair shimmered like spun gold as I toyed with it casually.

His eyes widened slightly as he leaned closer, breathing in the faint scent of my perfume. "You’re stunning. Your presence alone will make this night unforgettable."

"You flatter me, Mr. Hogg," I murmured, playing my part perfectly.

He led me through the lavish corridor into the poker room, which was just as extravagant as the hall outside. The atmosphere buzzed with laughter and excitement as groups of people gathered around tables, gambling and chatting.

Familiar faces surrounded us—celebrities, influential figures, and industrialists. They greeted Mr. Hogg warmly, a few lingering to chat. I kept a pleasant smile on my face, though I was silently observing each guest, scanning for any signs of my target.

Only one woman stayed behind—a stunning blonde in her late thirties, her sharp eyes studying me with curiosity. Her golden dress shimmered as she approached.

"Who’s this?" she asked in a sultry voice, her gaze sweeping over me.

Mr. Hogg smirked. "My ace for the night. I’m winning big, Juliet."

Her red lips curled into an amused smile. "Is that so?" She turned to me and asked, "What’s your name, dear? What do you do?"

I offered a polite smile. "Lily. I’m an intern at Zen Company."

Her brows lifted slightly. "Zen? That’s one of our partner companies. You work under me, then. Better behave, young lady."

I laughed softly. "I’ll be sure to stay on my best behavior."

She chuckled, then pulled out a small vial from her purse. "Here. Try this perfume—it’s called Mystic Dew. It’s my favorite."

The sweet fragrance was almost hypnotic. I couldn’t help but inhale deeply, momentarily enchanted. But before I could respond, my eyes caught a flash of movement.

"Sasha?" I whispered, spotting her darting through the crowd. My heart skipped a beat.

Quickly regaining my composure, I turned to Juliet with a smile. "Excuse me for a moment. I need to use the restroom."