Thivi smirked mischievously. "Are you embarrassed because your armpits are dark, or because, "
"Excuse me?! Absolutely not!" Felicia snapped, her face flushing red. She snatched the dress away and hurried into the fitting room, leaving a trail of soft laughter behind.
Meanwhile, Livia turned to Zinnia with pleading eyes. "Sis Zinnia… please wear this one, okay? So the money's enough. Please?"
She held out a simple black qipao with gold embroidery. Zinnia studied it for a long moment, uncertain. "This… looks like a traditional Chinese dress. Will it suit me?"
"It'll look amazing! Your figure is perfect for it," Livia insisted with a gentle smile.
Zinnia finally nodded. She accepted the qipao, running her fingers across the soft black silk. "Thank you, Livi," she murmured before heading to the fitting room.
Despite their limited budget and constant teasing, they supported one another. Beneath the lighthearted laughter, there was a quiet sincerity in how they kept moving forward together.
Under the shop's dim warm lights reflected by the glass walls, Felicia stepped out of the fitting room. The deep crimson bodycon dress she wore framed her figure beautifully, hugging her shape without a single wrinkle. Matching red cuffs on her arms added a gentle classic touch.
She stopped before the large mirror, tilting her shoulders and lifting her chin slightly. "Well? Does it look good?" she asked casually, though the confident smile on her lips gave her away.
Thivi didn't waste a second. "Why aren't you raising your arms? Your armpits must be dark." Her teasing drew a wave of laughter.
Felicia answered with theatrical flair, lifting both arms high. "Sadly for you, everything's smooth," she declared triumphantly. Laughter erupted, warming the room.
The laughter faded when another fitting room door opened. Zinnia stepped out, her expression slightly troubled. The black qipao fit her well, outlining her elegant silhouette, though a small slit on the side revealed a hint of her leg.
"Um… it won't zip up," she muttered in frustration.
Livia approached with sympathetic eyes. "It looks beautiful on you, Sis. Really."
Zinnia looked at her, then nodded softly. Relief bloomed in her smile as she stepped fully into the light. The qipao shimmered subtly beneath the lamps, wrapping her in a calm, poised charm.
Kaivan stared, speechless. His gaze followed her movements almost unconsciously. There was admiration in his eyes, quiet, unspoken.
Radit nudged him lightly. "That's the one who sat on your face back then, right?" he whispered.
"Shh!" Kaivan hissed, cheeks flushing. The memory resurfaced, awkward, embarrassing, yet strangely impossible to regret.
Zinnia turned slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Let's go. What are you all waiting for?" Her soft but steady voice cut through the stillness, pulling everyone back to the mission ahead.
Kaivan, still frozen, watched her. The black dress carved a graceful shape around her body, a silhouette both delicate and strong. What radiated from her wasn't just physical beauty. There was something deeper, something he had overlooked until now. Quietly, his heartbeat stirred faster than usual.
Radit, Raphael, and Frans fell silent too, captivated for a moment. But for Kaivan, tonight had become more than a simple disguise.
Under a sky scattered with stars, they arrived in front of a luxurious hotel at the city's edge, grand, guarded, and gleaming in the night. The air felt different, as though even time itself was holding its breath.
Kaivan opened the Tome of Omnicent. The ancient pages rustled softly, whispering like something alive. Instructions surfaced in shimmering letters:
"Kaivan, Felicia, and Zinnia go in first. Livia and Ethan follow. The others stay on standby outside. When the presentation begins, Livia's parents will appear in the ballroom. Felicia and Zinnia will distract the men in black at the far end. Kaivan, warn them that a disturbance will occur. Tell them to hide their weapons."
Felicia frowned. "We're not even carrying bags. Where are we supposed to hide them?"
Isabel quickly stepped in. "Let me borrow your belts," she said to Raphael and Radit. Without question, they handed them over. In a swift motion, Isabel tied the belts around Zinnia's and Felicia's thighs.
"Kaivan, give your karambit to Zinnia. Felicia's nunchaku goes there too. No hotel guard would dare pat down your thighs, right?"
Felicia winced slightly as the nunchaku was secured. "Feels weird, but whatever."
Kaivan handed his karambit to Zinnia. No words, only a brief look between them. Zinnia slid the weapon beneath her dress and nodded.
Kaivan exhaled. "Alright. We split up from here. Isabel, I'm leaving the Tome with you."
Their footsteps echoed softly against the cold marble floor as Kaivan, Zinnia, and Felicia made their way toward the main entrance. Front guards stood firm, eyes sharp, but the trio walked with calm, wearing confidence like armor. Beneath the soft glow of the lights, their mission finally began.
At the checkpoint, a guard stopped Kaivan. The inspection was thorough, but nothing seemed suspicious aside from his phone. With a quiet sigh of relief, he was eventually allowed through.
Zinnia followed next, facing a stricter check. The guard's hands were cautious, but the karambit hidden under her gown escaped detection. She tensed for a moment, then walked on.
Felicia, hiding her nunchaku on her right thigh, also passed without issue.
Inside the hotel lobby, they paused. The glossy white marble reflected the brilliance of a massive crystal chandelier. Around them, important guests mingled with relaxed elegance, the atmosphere heavy with luxury and secrets.
A few minutes later, Ethan and Livia arrived. They gathered casually near the buffet table, pretending to enjoy the ambiance while whispering updates.