~~~Sydney Pov~~~

"It's really good to see Violet alive and moving around," Violet's mom stated, her voice trembling with emotion.

I wiped my tears. "Yeah, it's crazy what happened to her."

My phone buzzed. The message was brief and urgent: "Don't forget the USB."

I rolled my eyes. "Excuse me, I need to go visit someone." I gave her mom a quick hug before slipping away.

I walked to the front desk, trying to steady my nerves. "Hey, can I make the second and final payment?"

"Okay, let me get the forms," the receptionist replied, standing up and walking to a back office. This was my chance.

As soon as she disappeared, I quickly pulled the USB from my pocket, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. My hands shook as I inserted it into the computer server. I held my breath, waiting for the computer to acknowledge the device. Each second felt like an eternity.

My phone buzzed again. I pulled out my phone out. To get more instruction

Good. Just leave it there. I'll do the rest.

"Please sign this," the receptionist said, suddenly reappearing. "Just confirm payment. It's for Candy Monroe."

I took the pen with shaky hands and signed the form, hoping my face didn't betray the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

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Time was fading like a sunset. The clock was ticking a away, minutes turned into hours. Which turned into days. Which turned to the end of the week.

It all flew by like a bird. I would visit Violet and peak in on Candy.

Branson was acting moody and distance. And he didn't show up to visit his sister the whole week . Which was weird. I guess his mind is occupied somewhere else. But it's a good thing I guess. Because how can I tell him. I went against his request.

"So you really paid off all the debt?" Violet mumbled

I nodded my head. As I passed her a coffee. We were sitting at Violet's kitchen table. It's been a day, that she's been discharged.

She took a sip of her coffee "Wow."

"So I got this dress. To wear at the gala." I pulled the dress out my bag.

Violet pulled a face.

"What's wrong with the dress." I looked between the dress and her

She started making gagging noises " the color it's violet. I told you a bunch of times. I don't like wearing my name."

"The gala is tomorrow. And I thought it would be cute." I expressed in a sweet tone of voice.

"Nope. I'll buy something at the mall. When I go to my optometrists appointment.

"Oh?" I just took a sip of my coffee

"I appreciate your efforts. Really." She looked down at her watch "Okay I got to go. Don't forget to lock. When you leave."

"Cool, you want to show up together?" I asked her

"Let's meet there. I got a long day of errands. The sooner I start the sooner I can finish?" She responded while putting on her jacket

"I really thought you were going to be sad and depressed," I admitted, my eyes searching her face for any sign of the turmoil I had anticipated. "And I was going to have to comfort you back to life." I reached out, hesitantly touching her arm, my fingers trembling slightly.

Violet froze in place and scrunched her face up in disgust. "Eww. Me laying in bed I got stuff to do."

I looked her dead in the eyes "one day you going to break down V."

She scoffed and gave me a smirk "Well that day isn't today." She walked out the door with shades that covered her swollen eyes and jacket that covers her bruises .

You so lucky. I will be there for you. When you crash and burn. To blow the flames out. I will remain your harbor in the storm.

_________

As soon as I walked in, the butler's voice cut through the air, pulling my attention. "Miss Sydney, your dress is here. It's upstairs," he informed me in his usual composed manner.

Excitement surged through me, and I clapped my hands before dashing up the stairs. A big yellow box awaited me beside the dress, adding to my anticipation.

But as I eagerly searched for the tag, my heart sank. There was nothing. No indication of where the dress had come from or who had sent it.

With a mix of curiosity and trepidation, I tore open the box, revealing a stunning white silky dress. But my joy turned to horror as I noticed the trail of blood-like stains, seemingly originating from beneath the ribcage and running down the right side of the dress. It was an off-the-shoulder design, accentuating the eerie effect.

Confusion clouded my mind, as I struggled to comprehend the scene before me. And then, my phone buzzed, breaking the silence like a crack of thunder.

"You have to wear the blood of your friend's sins - fortune teller," the message read.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I felt myself collapse to the floor, my body trembling with shock and disbelief. Tears welled up in my eyes, cascading down my cheeks as a wave of despair washed over me. I felt as though I were trapped in a nightmare, with no hope of waking up.

In that moment of vulnerability, a chilling realization dawned on me. Could the Butler be the Fortune Teller?

The only one with such unfettered access to my life, he seemed to loom ominously in my mind, casting a shadow of doubt over everything I thought I knew. My knees buckled and I fell on the ground. The box fell next to me. And the dress fell out.

I pulled out a white Fit and Flare Dress, that's off the shoulders. I hesitantly put the dress on.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and reflection was a whisper tales of dread. The dress fabric was a chilling embrace. There was blood-like stain, trailing from a stomach wound from my stomach. Blood stain flowed like water to the bottom off the dress. The stain got wider.

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My mom, dad, and I walked into the limo. The leather seats felt cool against my skin as I settled in, the tension of the day still lingering in the air. The soft hum of the engine and the tinted windows provided a sense of privacy, but my mind was racing

"I'm proper ready for this marriage to be done." She sighted

My dad was busy cleaning his Rolex. "Well lucky for you. We not married anymore. I just need you for these stupid engagements, and you can go back to the shadows." He spoke slowly. To measured pace reflecting the weight of his words

"Just one more year, and this blooming' sham of a marriage can finally end" My mom chirped

He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest and raising an eyebrow." Yeah I am counting down. The days you move back to the UK permanently ." My dad beamed

A smug smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "It really warms my heart. to see you guys disfunction in peace." I flattered my lashes, with exaggerated sweetness

They both laughed

My dad looked up at me "What's going on with your dress?"

I flashed my dad a opened -mouth smile." Oh my friends over at Enigma Elegance. Send to me."

"Oh. I didn't know they coming out, with a fashion line?" My mom was looking in the compact mirror. She was busy puckering her lips to apply lipstick

My thoughts were in turbulence. Then I vomited out the excuse " oh it's a custom one of a kind dress." I plastered a smile on my face "I drew a dress and they made it."

Both of them nodded impressed. "Honey you look like Chucky's bride." My dad confessed

My lips curled into a wry smile as I crossed my arms, tapping my foot lightly. I arched an eyebrow, "You don't like it."

My dad just shrugged in responds.

My mom pressed her lips into a thin line, and I shrugged slightly, my hands gesturing vaguely as if searching for the right words. "It looks.... tasteless considering what happened to ...umm Violet."

"But I drew it before..." I tried to explain

"It's okay but I'm just letting you know how its perceived." My mom state. I Just sucked I a breath and turned my head.

"Daddy why don't you give the Butler month off?" I needed some space from that clown

"You mean Giles?" My dad he corrected me, with taint of amusement.

"He's been working for years. He needs a break?" I told him

He nodded in agreement. My phone buzzed.

And surprise suprise.it was the Fortune Teller

Like a star collapsing under its own gravitational pull, self-destruction implodes from within.

I just rolled my eyes. At Giles message. I'm on to you. Your days are numbered

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As soon as I waked into the venue. The heavy doors swung open, a dazzling sight awaited—a grand golden room bathed in the warm glow of a thousand gilded accents, each detail shimmering like rays of sunlight captured in metallic splendor.

Stepping into the opulent space, one was greeted by the resplendence of a grand golden room, where every surface seemed to reflect the richness of wealth and taste, creating an atmosphere of regal magnificence.

I immediately took a glass of wine off the golden tray.

"You did amazing job planning the gala ." My mom flashed me a smile

"Yes you did Sydney. Plus you look...interesting and unique." He leaned in to give my mom a kiss. And she returned the kiss back. I watched them play lovey-dovey

Then suddenly the cameras flashed.

"You guys is a perfect couple." The reporter yelled over to my parents. They flashed the coyest smiles.

If only you knew the truth

I was dancing enjoying. The night, but I couldn't find Violet.

"Excuse me Sydney. I want to introduce you to someone." I turned around to meet eyes with my dad and a young man chiseled features and a rugged jawline, his face is a study in masculine allure. He dressed impeccably in a tailored suit that hugs his athletic frame, he exudes an air of sophistication and refinement.

"This is my daughter Sydney. This is the new junior detective Leonardo. He will join the sheriff for the investigation for Candy Monroe." My dad introduced, Leonardo reached his had out to shake my hand and I gently gave it to him.

"The investigation for Candy Monroe? I thought it was a hit and run. That had no leads." I tried to reason

"Well I shouldn't share this, but her phone got stolen from the police station. So this could be deeper. Then we think, because to steal from the police station. Is extreme to hide evidence." My dad shared

My throat got so dry. The fortune teller told me to steal from Branson. So did he steal the phone from the police station and how did the Fortune Teller KNOW HE HAD IT.

Was Branson the fortune teller? But why would he ask me to steal from him? To throw me off his scent?

"Are you okay?" Leonardo spoke up, the first time with his deep velvet voice

I put a hair behind my her "yeah it's just a lot. To take it." I took a deep breath "Umm... please excuse me. It was nice meeting you Leonardo."

I walked away, and I took wine from one of the servers. To calm my nerves. My heart was racing like a horse.

I turned my head to lock eyes with Violet. She had a long red silk dress, with a deep V-line. Violet herself seemed to ignite the air around her, the dress amplifying her every step with a fiery intensity that commanded attention and respect. Her mermaid dress was a sculpted symphony, harmonizing every curve with the precision of a maestro of her body.

I caught a saw Violet's reaction, at my dress and it felt like, a bucket of ice water had been poured all over me. Her eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line, and her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

The air around us grew heavy with tension, and I could practically feel the waves of offense radiating.

Then I saw her eyes... they were yellow-ish gold. They look like molten gold and embers of conflict.

Which were nothing like her former her glistening light saphire stone of pools from where life forms.

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A/N

I know this chapter is long, and I know this note makes it longer. But I need to put very important information in this chapter. Cause I promise all this will tie together.