4. Once upon a time

She sat in front of the vanity mirror, getting dressed by two stylists and their assistants. One was applying makeup to her face, while the other was almost done with her hair.

She was looking stunning like a bride should. Her hair was curled in a side bun, leaving two strands on each side. The makeup on her face was exquisite, with a single-layer foundation and bright red lipstick.

Her brows were carved in like waves of the sea, and her lashes were straightened with light mascara. A pair of shimmering diamond earrings on her ears and a matching necklace around her neck.

She looked down at the sparkling white gown that was utterly gorgeous, with sparkling pearls and diamonds all over. It had joints with white laces, and the length covered a long distance backward.

She smiled sheepishly as she gawked at her glistening silver heels and white veil. She couldn't wait to arrive at the wedding venue. But first, she needed to put some people in their place.

Her eyes shone with ruthlessness and brutality as she picked up her phone to send a text. "Raven High Hotel, meet me at the rooftop; I have a surprise for you. Hurry!"

She turned to the assistant who was helping her with her dress. "Help me to the hotel rooftop," she ordered, and they obliged, guiding her to the rooftop where everything had been arranged.

Meanwhile, at Brown Mansion, Murphy's room.

His sly brows were raised in satisfaction as he glowered at the full-length mirror standing in front of him while staring at his handsome reflection.

He knew he was handsome.

Many people had said that to him. Be it his dad, who often gets jealous of him because his mom is always gushing about how handsome and adorable her son is, And the babies in his kindergarten, the pretty girls in his high school, and the beautiful ladies in his university

Including the older mamas. Worse, guys also made attempts on him. But on this day, he could feel his charm and charisma increase by multiple folds, and that thought placed a naughty smirk on his lips as he grinned.

His eyes trailed to his hair, which had been gelled behind and packed with a red ribbon. With the front area loose, almost forming a bang.

His refined, chisel-straight face glistened with a proud smugness. His facial hair had been shaved out, and his skin was now smooth with no stubble.

His thick brows had also been carved in like the half crescent, and his right ear was holding a glimmering diamond stud earring.

Trailing downward, his suit was a clean and shining white Armani tuxedo that hugged out his manly shape.

His chiseled abs were hidden away from the sinful and lustful eyes of some ladies. And his straight, tailored suit pants reached his ankles. He wore branded black stockings in addition to his latest Versace Oxford brogues.

He straightened his black bow tie and gave a gentle nod at his reflection. He needed to look his best, as today he is going to be getting married to the most beautiful bride in the world.

His phone buzzed with a message from "Lucy Baby," and he read the text out loud, chuckling in delight. "Everything is ready."

A sinister look glowed in his charming eyes as he placed his pure gold-made wristwatch before sauntering out.

*****

Margarita was still confused as to why Lucinda had urgently asked for her to arrive at the rooftop of the hotel where her wedding reception had been scheduled to be held.

She turned towards Catalina, who had been urging her to go. "C'mon, Margar, there's still almost two hours before the wedding; why don't you just hear her out?"

For the past two days, the rift between the sisters has softened. Margarita had made sure to listen to both Murphy and Catalina.

Accordingly, Lucinda had claimed not to remember ever creating such a scene, and a softhearted person like Margar, who had always cared about her sister, couldn't continue being angry with her; hence, she forgave Lucinda.

Somehow, deep in her heart, she anticipated what Lucinda had arranged for her. She was excited, but she couldn't shake the unease in the deepest part of her gut. Following Catalina's advice, Margarita decided to see for herself.

She held her dress to the side and carefully walked over to her father's room. "Daddy, I'll be out for a moment," Margarita said out loud. Not getting any response, she calls out again. "Daddy, Dad, I'm out for a while," she said.

Thinking he was in the bathroom, Margarita decided it was best to leave him a note. She placed the note stating the reason she was leaving and then followed Catalina as they boarded the car and left for the hotel.

****

The rooftop was eerily quiet and dark as Margarita got there; she didn't see anyone or anything. It was eight in the morning, and the place was often crowded.

Margaret turned to the side, and a scream escaped her lips as she saw a large amount of blood covering the floor. The blood streamed to where she was, and she moved away in fright, lifting her dress.

This is the top of the thirty-six-story skyscraper building. Standing alone in such a place and experiencing such a backdrop made her heart leap to her throat.

Margarita quickly reached out to place a call to either Lucinda or Catalina but noticed there was no signal. She turned to leave, but then the small door closed with a loud bang. From the corner of her eyes, she realized it was a white dress, the same dress she had once seen.

Lucinda came out of her hiding place, holding a baseball bat. Beside her was Murphy in his exquisite suit and Catalina in a purple bridesmaid gown. Margarita gulped, suddenly feeling afraid. She had a hunch that something bad was about to happen.

Lucinda let out a terrifying laugh as she watched Murphy lean against the wall. "I hate you," she spat, looking furiously at Margar.

"My hatred for your family knows no bounds. I was going to pity your poor life, but you've turned out to be an obstacle," she added, pointing the bat at Margar.

She pulled out a chair, which Margaret hadn't noticed had been there since she had arrived, and elegantly sat on it.

"Hahahaha, poor you, let me tell you a story. Haha," She laughed, and the others followed suit. Margarita felt shocked and confused. She was terrified, and her body quivered.

She had never seen Lucinda look at her with so much hatred, nor had she seen Murphy gaze at her with disgust. Her heart turned apart, as she already knew nothing good was coming out of this. She had been trapped and cornered, and there was no way out for her.

Danger bells continued to ring as her body trembled, but Lucinda nonchalantly glared at her, and she began the story she had intended to tell.

"Once upon a time, there lived a family who was childless and needed a child." She paused, and her expression hardened as she continued.

"For years, they didn't have any children and thought it was best to adopt a child. Fortunately for them, their headmaid gave birth to a child but couldn't take care of it, so they decided to adopt her. However, the head maid thought it was best to sell her child.

A year later, things got worse for the family, and they stopped getting their influence. They didn't have any investments or money until finally, the wife got pregnant, and she gave birth to a little girl.

Things gradually turned better and better over the years after her birth, and they continue to do well. Eventually, they started their company and brought it to great heights.

They got different projects and kept showering their little princess with gifts and more, forgetting the maid's daughter. However, one day the maid's daughter got fed up and decided to play a trick with them.

She ordered her boyfriend, who happens to be the son of the man whom her adoptive dad had snatched a lot of projects from and had committed suicide from frustration, to seduce her little princess sister and take everything from her.

But... Her mom found out, and there was no way she could let her interfere; hence, she needed to be eliminated…