Instant Regret

The sharp, agonizing scream of Gideon echoed through the pristine, marble-floored lobby. Seraphine stepped calmly over the grown man’s writhing form. Drops of crimson blood dripped from the tip of her sharp stiletto heels, staining the polished stone with every purposeful stride she took toward a now terrified Giselle.

Giselle retreated in sheer, unadulterated panic. Her breath hitched in her throat as she scrambled backward. Her shoulder blades hit the cold wall with a dull thud. She stared at the bloody footprints trailing behind the approaching woman, her mind racing for a way out. Just as she thought she was doomed, the adjacent lift doors slid open with a soft digital chime. A group of executives stepped out into the corridor. She spotted a beacon of salvation in the form of a familiar face. She pushed off the wall and rushed desperately toward the arriving men.

"Mr. Nash! Please, help me! This crazy woman is trying to murder me! Quick! Have your security chase her out immediately!" she shrieked. She pointed a trembling finger back at the woman in the sunglasses.

Evander Nash was the heavyset, balding director of the Benevolence Committee. He was also a known, fervent fanatic of Giselle's public persona. Hearing her desperate plea, he puffed out his chest and eagerly pulled the frightened woman into his thick arms. Outwardly, he played the valiant hero for Oakhaven's celebrated charitable princess. Inwardly, his greedy eyes were instantly captivated by Seraphine’s stunning, cold beauty. He wanted to impress Giselle while forcing this gorgeous, dangerous stranger to submit to his authority. He puffed himself up, trying to look intimidating.

"Who do you think you are, little girl? How dare you come to the headquarters of the benevolence committee to cause trouble! Kneel down on this floor and apologize to Ms. Giselle right this instant!" Evander barked. His loud voice echoed through the hall, demanding the attention of every passing staff member.

Giselle endured Evander's sweaty, unwelcome embrace solely for the protection he offered. She loathed the feeling of his thick arms around her shoulders, but her eyes gleamed with malicious anticipation. She was eager to see her rival thoroughly humiliated and taught a harsh lesson in front of the entire committee staff.

Seraphine merely paused. Her posture remained relaxed and unafraid. She slowly removed her designer sunglasses, letting her piercing gaze sweep over the heavyset man. She looked him up and down before glancing at the gold name tag pinned to his expensive suit lapel. A chilling, predatory grin spread across her lips.

"Evander Nash, the esteemed director of the Benevolence Committee? You are quite the big shot around here, aren't you?" she mused. Her tone dripped with dark sarcasm.

Accustomed to throwing his bureaucratic weight around and bullying underlings, Evander scoffed at her lack of respect. He pointed a stubby finger at her face.

"Since you know who I am, you better know what is good for you! Ms. Giselle is an esteemed guest here. She is not just Oakhaven's charitable princess, but also the untouchable fiancée of the billionaire Kaelen Vanguard. It is an honor for someone like you to kneel before her. Beg for mercy now, or you will not leave this building!" Evander demanded once again. He jutted his chin out, waiting for the beautiful woman to cower and beg.

Seraphine remained unfazed by the empty threats. She twirled the sunglasses in her hand, her smile fading into a look of pure disdain.

"Dream on, you foolish man! I am afraid Ms. Giselle is not anywhere near worthy of receiving my apology."

She took a deliberate step closer, dropping the temperature in the room with her ice-cold warning.

"Mr. Nash, I suggest you reconsider your stance. I hope you do not live to regret it."

Before Evander could open his mouth to scoff at the audacity of the threat, the heavy lobby doors burst open. Silas rushed in from the courtyard. His suit jacket flared out behind him, and his face was set in a mask of undeniable fury. He closed the distance in a few massive strides. Without a single word of warning, he drew his arm back and delivered a brutal, open-handed slap directly to Evander's face.

The sickening crack of the impact echoed loudly through the lobby. The sheer force of the blow snapped Evander's head to the side. Two of his teeth were knocked loose by the vicious strike, sending them clattering across the marble floor alongside a spray of blood.

Giselle gasped in horror. She hastily slipped from Evander's loose hold, backing away from the spray of crimson.

The heavy director cried out in agony. His knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the hard floor. He looked up through tear-filled eyes, his vision swimming. He clutched his bleeding cheek and instantly recognized his attacker. It was the fearsome Mr. Osborne. Silas was a powerful, ruthless executive recently sent straight from the international headquarters to strictly manage the upcoming benevolence banquet. He held the power to fire anyone in the building.

Evander spat out a mouthful of blood and pointed a desperate, accusing finger at Seraphine.

"Mr. Osborne, thank god you are here! This crazy woman is trying to murder our charitable princess and assaulted me! This is all her fault. Arrest her!"

Silas ignored the pointing finger. He turned slowly from Seraphine’s calm form back to the kneeling director. The words that left his mouth sealed the corrupt director's ultimate doom.

"Evander, you absolute fool. How dare you disrespect the Chairman to her face? Are you digging a grave for yourself?"

The bustling corridor instantly fell into a heavy, suffocating silence. Staff members who had stopped to watch the commotion froze in their tracks. Evander collapsed further onto the cold floor in trembling, mind-numbing disbelief. He stared at the gorgeous woman with wide, panicked eyes, unable to comprehend his colossal mistake. The ringing in his ears drowned out his own whimpers.

A few feet away, Giselle physically pinched her own arm hard. She needed to ensure she was not trapped in a horrific nightmare. The sharp stab of pain confirmed her harsh reality. The chilling, world-shattering realization hit her like a freight train.

This dangerous, violent woman was none other than the elusive Chairman of the World Benevolence Committee. She was the exact person Giselle had just spent half a million dollars trying to meet. She was the same mysterious, terrifying figure who had paid her respects to Alistair at the cemetery. The pieces clicked into place, bringing a wave of nausea to Giselle's stomach.

Noticing Giselle’s suddenly pale, stricken face, Seraphine smiled. The expression was devoid of any warmth. It was the smile of a predator gazing at cornered prey.

"Since both of them seem to have such a massive problem with me, Silas, just politely invite them to the main meeting room so we can chat."

Seraphine turned smoothly on her heel and walked toward the elevators, leaving an ice-cold, authoritative atmosphere in her wake. The click-clack of her stilettos sounded like a death knell in the quiet lobby.

Giselle watched her walk away. She was consumed from the inside out by an agonizing sense of grievance and fear. The shift in dynamics gave her whiplash. One moment she was aggressively clamoring and demanding the woman's submission. The next, she was forced to bow to her absolute authority.

Yet, for the sake of securing the precious ambassador title, she knew she had to endure this. To protect her fragile reputation from complete annihilation, she had no choice. She had to swallow the immense humiliation and step into that meeting room.

She gritted her teeth, ignoring the trembling in her hands. She silently psyched herself up as she adjusted her posture. She was the most distinguished, beloved woman in Oakhaven. This city was her territory. She must not be afraid of this upstart!