Everyone froze in shock.

Lilah instinctively moved in front of Miranda to protect her.

From the shadows, a slim figure emerged slowly, almost like a ghost, causing unease among them.

“Long time no see."

The voice was familiar yet oddly unsettling.

Lilah immediately recognized who it was and realized what was happening.

Darian? Why was he here?

For a moment, Lilah almost thought she had imagined it and was dreaming.

But when Darian appeared, she truly saw what was possible.

Darian had altered his appearance.

To be precise, he had completely changed his look. He was dressed in a tuxedo and a tie similar to what the waiters wore. At first glance, his face no longer had that irritating look from before.

Miranda's face went pale as she took in the sight of Darian. Shock was evident in her expression, mirroring the stunned disbelief on Kaden's and Karol's faces. Apart from the two of them, no one else knew about this hidden basement. Even the men in black, who had been brought here with their eyes covered, were in the dark.

How did he get in here?

"Are you all confused?" Darian's lips curled into a sinister smile.

"I must say, I thoroughly enjoy seeing your current expressions. If I could keep savoring them, I would die a happy man."

His smile was unsettling, as though he were a madman.

Lilah gripped Miranda's hand, feeling her palm grow clammy with sweat.

"This doesn't concern the two of you," Darian said to Kaden and Karol. “If possible, please hand these two women over to me. Don't worry, I won't let them go, and I'll ensure that neither of you is implicated in this matter."

Darian swaggered toward them, his smile unwavering but his face stiff and puppet-Like.

"Don't you know? Gerard has already sealed off all the exits of the villa. He said he would find this woman no matter what."

Karol and Kaden exchanged glances, their faces paling as they processed the gravity of the situation. The shock and fear in their eyes were unmistakable.

“Who are you? You won't even show your true identity. Why should we believe you?" Karol asked cautiously. She was more concerned that this man might be aligned with Lilah and might have come to rescue them.

"I'm from the Martel family. I had a promising future until it was destroyed by this woman. She took away my lover and humiliated me. Who wouldn't seek revenge?" Darian spread his hands in a dramatic gesture, feigning nonchalance.

"What do you think?" Karol glanced at Kaden, who met her gaze with a solemn nod and confirmed the answer.