Chapter 189: The Manipulator

"If you don’t mind excusing me, I need to freshen up. It wouldn’t be wise to attend as Mrs. Stiles, all bloody right?" I said. "We don’t want the Syndicate to get the wrong impression."

"Of course." Julius rose to his full height and stuck out his hand for me to take.

My gaze lingered on his hand before I shifted it to his face. It took a moment before I took it, and he helped me up.

"The restroom is on your left."

"Thank you."

I moved, picking up my purse on the floor and shoving my gun into it. I didn’t halt my steps until I got to the restroom, closing the door behind me and walking to the mirror.

I rested my hands on the sink to take a breather, still shaken by the realization.

All Julius has done since the moment he came into my life was to try to gain my trust. He claimed he had been on my side ever since.

So far, everything has been a... deliberate strategy.

What exactly do you know about manipulation, Anastasia?

Zade once asked me that question. I attempted to manipulate Julius into believing that I had accepted him by my side, but it turned out I was the one being manipulated from the start even when I thought I was being smart.

Julius appeared as a concerned family member who wanted nothing more than my approval. Bringing me information, knowing that it’d entice me. Making the focus the Syndicate so that I wouldn’t have to think about anything else.

And the final grip he had on me was showing me that footage, knowing that I would come to this ball no matter what just to get the chance to see.

Of course, I didn’t entirely trust him and I always knew there was some hidden agenda, but I never imagined that he was—!

I exhaled sharply, and with shaky hands I opened my purse and pulled out my lipstick. I applied it, but I mistakenly drew the red line all the way to the corner of my mouth.

I closed my eyes briefly before using the wipe. I touched my makeup as best as I could before wearing my mask.

My fight with Cynthia didn’t cause any physical wounds aside from a few bruises that could be concealed thanks to my opera gloves, and of course a broken heart.

My head kept mentally flashing to the times I spent with Cynthia. She and Jade were even getting close. During the moments leading up to my father’s funeral, we watched the Charmed series together.

I scoffed, shoving the feeling back in because I didn’t need them right now. What I needed was to be headstrong and face what was in front of me.

Taking one more look at myself, I walked out of the restroom, my heel clicking sharply, but drowned out by the music coming from the ballroom.

I saw Julius waiting at the entrance as he checked his Rolex, and when he saw me, he smiled.

"You look beautiful."

"Yeah, you already mentioned," I replied stiffly.

"I’m amazed by you, Anastasia. Despite what happened in that room you’re still willing to go through with this."

The astonishment in his eyes didn’t one bit make me feel good; instead, it brought about that revulsion. The way he looked at me, he certainly didn’t think of me as family.

The hunger in his eyes threw me off, and it took everything in me to keep a straight face.

"Were you expecting something else to happen?" I questioned.

"Not at all... I’m just pleased with your decision, and speaking of decisions. Should I assume you have watched the footage?"

"I didn’t watch it."

He paused before blinking. "You didn’t?"

"Yes. I couldn’t bring myself to."

"Why did you change your mind?"

"I figured what’s more important right now is the Syndicate. We are still gonna see them, right?"

"Yes," he replied.

"Good." I nodded. "I didn’t trust you at first, Julius, but now I do. You..." I gulped, forcing a smile. "If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known there was a footage from the accident to begin with."

"What’s the point now? You didn’t watch it to understand why I had to show you at a time like this."

"I was scared. But..." I acted overwhelmed. "Tell me why you wanted me to see it?"

Of course I already knew he did it to bring me here. But I had to play along... for now.

Julius released a sigh and placed a hand on the small of my back as he led me to the table where the refreshments were.

"I have watched the footage and found out it was needed to bring to your attention. Your car accident was abnormal; the way you drove was almost as if you were..."

"Reckless...?" I finished for him, and he pinned me down with a look.

"Yeah, that’s one way to put it." Julius checked his Rolex once more. "Let’s talk about this some other time shall we?"

There won’t be another time.

"Everyone here will otherwise be preoccupied with the performances while the special party starts their conference with the Syndicate," He said.

"About time."

"Are you sure you wanna go through with this? You seem fine, but I’m sure you’re overwhelmed by everything that happened."

"Yes," I replied without hesitation. "I just wanna be done with this once and for all."

"You read my mind."

"Besides, I’m sure after this we will have more time together. I have a feeling we have more catching up to do." I mused.

He grinned and leaned, kissing my forehead. The action happened so suddenly I was caught off guard, but I told myself not to react.

"Shall we?"

I nodded, slipping my hand into his arm as he led me away. It was a long walk down the hallway, and so far I couldn’t see anyone else. Almost as if we were meant to walk this path alone.

Good.

I halted my steps, freeing my hand from his arm, and Julius looked to me puzzled.

"Something wrong, Anastasia?"

"Yes."

"Then what is it? Tell me," he said, concerned, and I almost laughed at it.

But I didn’t. Instead, my chest rose and fell heavily as I neared the large window showing the view of Hightower City.

"Beautiful city, isn’t it?" I began. "At the academy, there is a view just like this. Every time I did warm-ups before classes, I look at this city and take it all in. The old stone buildings, winding streets, and most of all the structure that retained the old."

I faced Julius. "This ball is a taste of the undercity, and for so long I’ve always wondered what that dark place was, but it turned out it’s not so different from the city itself. But that’s the thing, isn’t it? Hightower is the undercity, just the more subtle version of it, and here... everyone can be who they are hidden behind the mask."

"An excellent explanation, Anastasia. Hightower is in fact the Undercity. This city is ruled by the men in the shadows. Hence, the name."

"And the masks? They must wear one to hide their true identities, just like you."

He took off his masquerade mask and pocketed it. "I still don’t get the point of this talk. We don’t have time to—"

"I’m sure the Syndicate can wait, Julius."

He blinked, almost taken aback. "That’s quite presumptuous of you, little one."

"I should say the same for you. After all... You’re the Syndicate."

Two beats passed, and we both remained still for a solid second. But then, slowly his smile faded.

Gotcha.

He rubbed his jawline. "When did you figure this out? Please tell me... Because so far I think I have done a pretty good job, or was it how desperate I was? Can’t blame me, Anastasia. I have waited so long for this moment."

I swallowed a lump down my throat. He was not even denying it. Not that I expect him to.

"You tried to kill me," I said in a whisper.

He shook his head. "No, little one."

I took a step back when he tried to touch me. His hand hung in mid-air, then he clenched his fist and dropped it to his side.

"The hitman was essential. I mean, we both get attacked at the funeral, and the less suspicion falls on me. Also diverting your attention elsewhere."

A scornful scoff rolled off me.

"Don’t look at me that way, Anastasia. It was truly not my intention to hurt you."

"Then what were your true intentions, Julius?" I asked with venom laced in my tone.

He shrugged. "You’re smart. Take a wild guess."

I pulled out my gun from my purse and pointed it at him. "Believe me, I have been doing a lot of guessing and its giving me a fucking headache. So... why don’t you start talking before I put a bullet through your skull."