The Lake Event was held near the city’s biggest lake, Lightearn Lake, a place known for its breathtaking view and luxurious atmosphere. The event was attended by elites, celebrities, and influential figures. As they approached the venue, sleek luxury cars passed by, dropping off elegantly dressed guests.
Nova smoothly parked his car, and the trio stepped out, taking in the lively atmosphere. Ava clutched the invitation passes in her hands, barely able to contain her excitement.
"I can’t believe we’re actually here," she gushed, her eyes sparkling. "I’ve seen this event on TV so many times... but now, we get to experience it!"
Nova chuckled, adjusting his white suit. "Just don’t freak out if we see someone famous."
Lilith remained silent, taking in the scene with her usual composed expression.
As they reached the entrance, security guards checked their invitations. The moment one of the guards scanned Ava’s pass, his expression darkened, and he exchanged glances with his colleague.
"This invitation is fake," the guard stated coldly.
Ava’s eyes widened in shock. "That’s not possible! Please check again," she pleaded.
The guard frowned, now raising his voice. "Miss, these are clearly counterfeit. You cannot enter."
Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd. A few onlookers stopped to watch the unfolding scene, their eyes filled with curiosity and judgment.
At that moment, a woman in a long, elegant white gown walked toward them with a smirk on her perfectly painted lips. Her presence drew attention, and whispers followed her arrival.
Ava’s face lit up with hope. Jennifer. Her best friend—the one who gave her the passes!
"Jennifer, tell them the passes are real," Ava said, relief washing over her.
Jennifer, however, simply gave her a mocking look, crossing her arms as she scanned Ava from head to toe. When her eyes landed on Lilith, her expression flickered–seeing how effortlessly beautiful she looked in the silky silver dress, outshining even the socialites around them.
"Ava..." Jennifer sighed dramatically, shaking her head. "I didn’t expect you to bring fake invitations. You really thought you could fool your way in?"
Ava’s face paled. "Jennifer, what are you talking about?! You gave me these invitations yourself!"
Jennifer’s smirk deepened. "Did I? Well, if I did, you should’ve checked them. It’s not my fault you’re too gullible."
Murmurs grew louder around them.
"Their clothes... they aren’t designer."
"They don’t look like they belong here."
"How embarrassing! Imagine thinking you could sneak in like this."
Ava clenched her fists, her face burning with humiliation. "Jennifer, I trusted you," she whispered, disbelief evident in her voice.
Jennifer let out a fake, sympathetic sigh. "Ava, darling, it’s just... people like us don’t mix with people like you. I was nice to you before, but you shouldn’t have actually shown up here."
Lilith, who had been silent until now, tilted her head slightly, her piercing blue eyes locked onto Jennifer’s with an unreadable expression.
"You know..." Lilith’s voice was calm, almost amused as she took a step forward. "I was just thinking—why do all snakes love to dress in white?"
Jennifer flinched, and the entire crowd fell silent at the sharpness of Lilith’s words.
Nova, who had been watching, sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I knew there was something off about this. Should’ve guessed you’d pull something like this, Jennifer."
Jennifer’s smirk faltered for a moment, but she quickly covered it up. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. Security, please escort these people out."
The guards stepped forward, ready to remove Ava, Nova, and Lilith.
However before they could lay a hand on Ava, Lilith took a step between them, her aura shifting dangerously.
Jennifer’s confidence wavered as she met Lilith’s gaze.
"Jennifer..." Lilith’s voice dropped lower, a chilling smirk playing on her lips. "Do you know what happens when someone tries to humiliate me?"
Jennifer swallowed, suddenly feeling uneasy. "W-What are you talking about?"
The guards stepped forward, reaching out to grab Ava and Nova to escort them out.
However, before they could touch them, a sudden wave of pressure filled the air, thick and suffocating.
Lilith once calm, amused expression darkened, her piercing blue eyes turning sharp and deadly.
Even the dim event lighting couldn’t hide the dangerous glint flashing through them.
The guards, who had confidently stepped forward, froze mid-motion.
A shiver ran down Jennifer’s spine. Her entire body stiffened as an unexplainable fear crawled up her skin.
Why... am I scared?
It was just Lilith, just another girl she had looked down upon moments ago.
And yet, as Jennifer locked eyes with her, she felt something deeply unnatural...as if she were standing in the presence of something far beyond human.
Lilith took a slow step forward.
Jennifer flinched.
Her hands clenched into fists, but her legs refused to move.
The guards looked at each other, confused. One of them, still attempting to shake off the strange pressure, forced himself to move and reached for Lilith’s arm.
Big mistake.
Before he could even touch her, Lilith turned her gaze on him.
And in that instant, he stopped breathing.
His entire body locked in place, as if an unseen force had wrapped around him.
His throat went dry, and for a moment, it felt as if his own shadow had grown heavier, trapping him in place.
Ava and Nova, who had been stunned into silence, exchanged shocked glances.
"Lilith..." Ava whispered, sensing the undeniable shift in atmosphere.
Jennifer’s eyes widened in pure disbelief.
"What... What the hell is this?" she stammered, taking an instinctive step back.
Lilith tilted her head, her smirk widening ever so slightly.
"You were saying something about throwing us out?"
Her voice was dangerously low, filled with something unreadable yet chilling.
Jennifer’s heart pounded in her chest.
Her lips parted to say something, anything but no words came out.
She didn’t know why...
But she felt like if she spoke..if she said even one wrong word, something terrible would happen.
"Oh my God, what are you doing here, Lilith? And why do those people look so scared of you? Are you here to scare them?" she heard a familiar voice say.