As Rafael headed straight to the event hall, he felt something stir within him, causing his stomach to ache and his heart to race, as if it was on flames. He leaned against the wall for support, struggling to take the next step as his body weakened and his vision blurred.
After a brief moment of relaxation, he continued to the elevator and stepped inside. He couldn't shake off the uncanny resemblance of that woman from his mind.
Pondering who she was, his mind drifted to Madelyn's twin sister whom he hadn't seen in years.
The more he tried to get rid of her image playing in his mind the more his heart pounded with unbearable pain. It was an excruciating pain she had imprinted in his heart five years ago, a pain he could not forgive her for.
Remembering the importance of the evening, Rafael pushed the unpleasant moment from earlier out of his head. With a regained composure and confidence, he continued walking into the lively hall.
He darted his eyes around eyes in the small crowd, and he saw Cecilia approaching him.
"Rafael, where have you been?" Cecilia asked and noticed he looked a bit upset about something.
"I was busy dealing with a minor issue," Rafael replied.
Cecilia didn't feel relaxed at his reply because she had her attention on Rafael all this time, ensuring that no woman would seduce him since he was a bachelor sought after by every lady. Earlier, she had noticed him approaching a woman and now wondered why he looked so restless.
Cecilia narrowed her brows, looking upset, as she inhaled a pleasant scent surrounding him—a fragrance often used by women, which made her feel uneasy.
"Which of these girls tried to seduce you? Why do you have a woman's fragrance on you?" Cecilia interrogated, ready to confront the woman she suspected.
Rafael sniffed his suit and recognized the water lily fragrance from the mysterious woman earlier, causing his grumpy expression to darken. What a clingy scent.
"Whoever I am with shouldn't disturb you. I see no reason for you to question me," Rafael answered coldly.
Cecilia smiled slightly. "I'm going to be your mother-in-law soon, and I won't stand by and watch you get entangled with another woman. You can't hurt my daughter, Erica."
Rafael ignored her words, feeling his whole body gradually going numb and weak, barely able to stand. He touched his lips, noting how dry they were, and felt his face cold against its usual warmth.
Was this sudden change in his health related to his overwhelming emotions? His head was pounding with a headache.
Before Rafael could process what was happening to him, he heard the host announcing the crucial ceremony.
The inauguration ceremony had just begun.
"Hi, everyone. Thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate the new leader of the Vellani Empire. Please welcome Rafael Vellani," the host declared, and a round of applause erupted from the guests.
As the announcement echoed in the air, Rafael strode toward the dais while the4 cameras of various well-known media outlets clicked pictures of Rafael and recorded him as he took the spotlight on the dais.
Rafael accepted his chairman's certificate and plaque from his grandmother's assistant while the cameras continued to capture the moment.
"Congratulations, Rafael," the assistant said with a cheerful smile, and Rafael exchanged a brief handshake with her.
"Congratulations, Rafael."
"We trust your commitment and duty," the elites congratulated him.
As the assistant handed the items to him, she stepped down from the dais, leaving Rafael alone.
Rafael stood before the microphone to express his heartfelt gratitude. "Good evening, everyone. I'm thrilled that you honoured my invitation to celebrate with me. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the members of the Vellani family for–" His lips pursed with his head lowered, battling against a intense pain that struck his body viciously.
His vision was becoming blurry.
Rafael clutched his suit against his stomach, trying to ease the pain, while his other hand gripped the microphone stand for support. His heart raced, making it difficult for him to speak or breathe properly as he gasped for air.
Rafael grunted in pain, his face contorting with a clenched jaw and teary eyes. Despite feeling his muscles and legs going numb, he held back his tears and fought for strength. He felt as if he were on the verge of giving up, but he resisted the pull of unconsciousness.
The guests watched him silently, wondering what was happening.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" Rafael mumbled. "I'm dying."
Madelyn stepped out from a corner with a sinister smile, staring at him intently.
It was showtime, Madelyn thought with a smirk.
She walked back into the hall with calculated steps, reaching for a glass of champagne from a table piled with drinks before heading toward Rafael.
As Madelyn approached, she climbed onto the platform, standing beside Rafael under the spotlight, causing the guests to murmur in confusion about what was happening.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen," Madelyn greeted with a soft, mesmerizing tone, prompting more whispers.
"Who is she?"
"What is she doing over there?"
"Isn't that woman Rafael's deceased ex-wife?" a guest muttered in shock.
"I don't know. She sounds like her and looks like her," another guest replied, capturing Cecilia's attention from a small group discussing business.
"Madelyn?" Cecilia whispered, swiftly turning around. She stumbled backwards in her spot upon hearing that familiar, unmistakable voice and seeing that face.
"You're not real! You're dead!" Cecilia declared in denial, refusing to accept that this woman could be Madelyn.
Madelyn turned to address the trembling voices, looking directly at Cecilia.
"No, Mrs. Cecilia Sylvain… I'm alive." Madelyn said assertively, wearing a slow, deliberate smile as she continued. "This is flesh, bone, and blood… my blood."
Another ripple of murmur began, causing everyone to gasp in shock.
Hearing that powerful proclamation, Cecilia's eyes widened with shock as the glass in Cecilia's hand slipped, and the sound of shattering glass echoed in the room.
"No! You can't be alive. Madelyn is dead and buried!" Cecilia protested.
"Yes, Madelyn is dead, but it is Margaux standing before you all. And from today onward, my name is no longer Margaux; it is Madelyn."
"What is she talking about?"
"Has she gone insane?"
"She had gone crazy."
"Maybe her sister's evil spirit has possessed her!" Guests murmured again, bewildered by her words which seemed nonsensical.
"Whatever you believe, I'd like to think I'm possessed by my sister's spirit so I could offer retribution to those who harmed her and make them face a cruel death," Madelyn declared, stirring the crowd once more.
Madelyn understood their shock but was indifferent; she only wanted to plant a seed of doubt in everyone's hearts regarding her past.