Chapter 5

He gave me an apologetic smile. “I need to take this call.”

I nodded, watching him walk out to the balcony.

Just then, my phone lit up with a message from Chloe.

“Lily, the Imperial Hotel banquet *is* hiring temporary servers, and the pay is super high! Want to come?”

My eyes lit up, and I immediately replied, “Of course! Liam and I will both come.”

“OK, I’ll sign you both up before I go to work tomorrow morning.”

Just as I finished reading the message, Liam came back inside.

“Liam, what did the foreman want?”

“There was a small issue with the progress at the construction site, but it’s resolved now, nothing major.”

I didn’t press further, instead excitedly saying,

“Liam, Chloe just said the Imperial Hotel is hiring temporary servers for tomorrow night. Let’s go together! We can experience a high-end banquet like that, and we’ll get to eat five-star cuisine—I’ve never had it before!”

He hesitated. “But the construction site…”

“Just this once!” I playfully tugged his arm. “It’s a rare opportunity, let’s go check it out!”

After my incessant pestering, he finally nodded.

“Alright, then. We’ll meet directly at the hotel after work tomorrow.”

I smiled and nodded, but complex thoughts churned in my mind: Perhaps tomorrow night’s banquet would help me unravel some mysteries.

The next evening, the Imperial Hotel glowed with dazzling lights, like a magnificent palace.

Luxury cars lined up at the entrance, doors opening and closing as guests in elegant attire entered, chatting and laughing.

Dressed in a black server uniform, I weaved through the grand hall.

I opened my chat with Liam again, staring at the message: “Liam, have you arrived? The head server keeps rushing me.”

The message had been sent a while ago, but there was still no reply.

I was anxiously waiting when the revolving door suddenly swung open.

Cole Blackwood, dressed in an impeccably tailored designer suit, strode in with a steady gait.

His posture was tall and straight, his eyes sharp, exuding an innate commanding presence with every gesture. The moment he entered, he instantly became the focal point of everyone’s attention.

I stared at him, my heart inexplicably tightening.

An indescribable sense of pressure washed over me, making my breathing quicken.

I instinctively picked up my phone, dialing Liam’s number again, but still, no one answered.

My fingers began to tremble, a chill crawling up my spine.

Liam, why was he so late? He was never like this.

Had something happened, or was he deliberately avoiding me?

Why did Liam never appear wherever Cole Blackwood was?

And the man standing before me now—was he Liam or Cole?

My mind was a chaotic mess, and I hadn’t even noticed his approach.

He frowned, looking quite impatient.

His assistant immediately stepped forward, reprimanding me with a sharp tone:

“What are you standing there for, server? Move aside!”

Only then did I snap to attention, quickly stepping aside to clear the path.

Cole walked straight past me, entering the crowd, raising a glass and chatting effortlessly with the guests around him.

I gazed blankly at Cole. The same height, similar eyes and brows, even the way he raised his hand to toast was identical to Liam’s—yet their temperaments were clearly different.

I somewhat pushed down my doubts and messaged Liam again:

“Liam, are you still not here?”