Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 120

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120 The Masked Hunt

How could Tatiana possibly abandon her grandmother in such a dire moment? Yet, the situation had reached a complete deadlock. Desperately, she fumbled inside her pocket for her cellphone, hoping to discreetly call the police. But before she could even unlock it, someone caught sight of her. In an instant, the phone was snatched away and crushed under a heavy boot.

“Still trying to call the cops? Looking for trouble, are you? Pay up now! No money? Then pay with your life!” the man growled, his voice dripping with menace.

Tatiana clenched her jaw tightly, refusing to show fear. “Then prove this vase is worth thirty thousand. Show me a receipt.”

“A receipt? There’s no receipt! I told you, thirty thousand—that’s the price. Stop wasting my time!” he barked back.

She scanned the street anxiously, hoping to find a passerby willing to intervene. But everyone kept their distance, shrinking away nervously, unwilling to get involved in a dangerous confrontation. She was utterly alone.

Taking a steadying breath, Tatiana pulled out every bill she had—three thousand eight hundred dollars in cash. She counted it carefully, hoping it might be enough.

Before she could even finish, the money was snatched from her hand. The man counted it with a sneer. “Three thousand eight hundred. Not nearly enough. You’re still over twenty thousand short. Hurry up!”

“I don’t have that much right now,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

“Is that so? Fine,” the large man said, his eyes gleaming with a cruel idea. He leered at her, his gaze lingering in an unsettling way. “You’re young and pretty. How about you come inside and work for one night? I guarantee you’ll earn the rest.”

Before she could respond, another man lunged forward and ripped the mask off Tatiana’s face.

Gasps erupted immediately. “Ugh, so ugly!” “What the hell? You scared me! No wonder she was hiding behind a mask!” “Disgusting!”

Tatiana swallowed the sting of their insults, her heart pounding. “I can’t work there. I’ll pay you back slowly.”

One of the men scoffed. “Forget it. If we put this ugly woman inside, she’ll scare off all the customers. We’re done for.”

“Shut up. Did you forget what tonight is?” another reminded them.

“It is… Wait. That might actually work,” someone muttered, a dark plan forming.

A cold dread settled in Tatiana’s chest.

Night had fallen.

***

The Funland Club buzzed with energy, its grand entrance lined with sleek luxury cars gleaming under the streetlights. Tonight was the annual celebration, drawing a crowd eager to revel in the festivities. This year, the party had taken on a new form—a masquerade ball. Every guest received a bespoke mask to wear, while the staff donned wild costumes, transforming the club into a swirling, chaotic dance of monsters and mystique.

Shawn, a major shareholder in the Xinghe Group and a lover of lavish parties, had invited all his closest friends. After much persuasion, he even convinced Jasper to attend. Bianca was there as well, her arm linked with Jasper’s as they moved through the crowd. Both wore matching masks, sleek and elegant.