Back in the hotel, Hinari’s mood drastically fell the moment she was left alone.

She still felt badly hurt at being stood up. She blamed herself for expecting Zaki to come and she couldn’t bear the surge of hurtful emotions in her heart.

Trying to soothe her pain, Hinari chose to hang out with her dear old friend, alcohol. She didn’t go upstairs to her room but went back to the ballroom to drink by herself. She took the leftover bottles of alcohol and sat on a seat.

Time passed and Hinari ended up murmuring to herself.

"Hi V-vodka, you a-are truly a great friend," she said out loud. "W-Why d-didn’t maaai beauty come today? Do y-you know why?"

She looked obviously drunk and was talking loud enough that her stepmother and stepsister heard her as they were heading out of the hotel. These two were also among the last people to leave the party. They went to the ladies room to use the facilities before heading out as it was a relatively long drive back to their mansion from the hotel and they met another important person in the lobby so they took a long time before they could leave.

Upon hearing Hinari talking to herself like a drunkard, the scheming mother and daughter saw this as a great opportunity and schemed on her.

"Mom, look! She’s talking to herself like a crazy woman! Don’t you think this would be a great opportunity to ruin her?" Hinari’s stepsister whispered to her mother.

"You’re right, dear. We should take advantage of this situation." Hinari’s stepmother then pulled out her phone and dialed the number of an underground connection.

"I’ve got a job for you. Come to Hotel Amber and you will find her in the ballroom. Do what you want with her."

She cut off the call after giving them her instructions. She also instructed the hotel staff not to enter the ballroom and not to disturb the birthday girl using her identity as Hinari’s mother. Then, with an evil smile plastered on her face, she took her daughter’s hand and headed out to the waiting car outside.

Meanwhile, Zaki, who was sitting in a dark room, brooding, jumped slightly when he heard his phone ring.

He answered with a curt "Yes?"

His face slowly darkened as he heard what the man on the other line said. Rage flashed in his eyes and he struggled to contain the terrifying demon within him that was trying to take over. He hung up the phone and without another word, he rushed out of the house, jumped on his motorcycle and sped off into the darkness.

...

It didn’t take long for three burly men, all dressed in black, to come to the location they were given and they immediately headed to the ballroom. The stepmother had also told the staff earlier that some bodyguards would soon arrive so they must let them in. Thus, the men easily entered the ballroom without causing any suspicion.

As expected, they found the juicy piece of meat that was promised. They slowly headed towards her, separating from each other to cover the possible exits she could use to escape.

"Hey there, pretty lady. You know, a pretty lady like you shouldn’t be drinking all alone. Why don’t my friends and I come join you for a bit?" One of the men spoke up which startled Hinari that she jumped on her seat.

She looked around, her head still fuzzy from the alcohol she consumed. ’Huh? Who are these people? My party is over so what are they still doing here?’ Her thoughts were slightly muddled and because she was drunk now, she was late to realize the danger she was in.

"We’ve got a birthday present for you."

The words sent shivers down her spine and somewhere in her foggy mind, a loud siren of warning started to scream at her.

She only realized she was in great trouble when she heard the doors click shut.