Transmigrated Into The True Heiress-Chapter 132: The Drive

An hour and a half earlier...

Elmira walked through the long red carpet, her figure accentuated by the white, floor-length gown with a form-fitting silhouette she wore. The asymmetrical neckline with one shoulder strap showed off her fair collarbone and arms, while the subtle shimmer of the fabric caught the dim light of the venue. Her mask, a designed piece of white and silver, concealed the upper half of her face, leaving her eyes visible as they scanned the surroundings.

Beside her, Mariela followed nervously, her black sequined gown contrasting against Elmira’s white ensemble. Her mask was simple but sleek, complementing her short hair and understated makeup. She adjusted the strap of her small bag, muttering under her breath, "This is insane. I can’t believe we’re doing this."

"Calm down," Elmira replied without turning her head. Her tone was sharp but low, meant only for Mariela’s ears. "We’ve made it past security. All we need to do now is blend in and find him."

Mariela glanced around the grand hall, its high ceilings adorned with cascading crystal chandeliers. The room was alive with soft laughter, clinking glasses, and the hum of a string quartet playing in the background. Guests moved gracefully, their identities hidden behind elaborate masks, their voices indistinct as they mingled and sipped champagne.

"Blend in?" Mariela whispered, her tone bordering on a hiss. "Have you seen these people? They look like they just stepped out of a royal palace. We stick out like sore thumbs."

Elmira ignored her, her focus shifting to a group of men gathered near the far corner of the room. One of them, a tall figure in a dark navy suit with a gold-trimmed mask, caught her attention. His demeanor was composed, his movements calculated as he engaged in conversation while one of his arms was placed on a younger boy’s lower back.

"That’s him," Elmira said under her breath. She turned to Mariela, her expression serious. "Stay close, but don’t make it obvious. I’ll approach him."

Mariela’s eyes widened. "You’re just going to walk up to him? What if he’s not the one you’re looking for?"

"I’m sure," Elmira said with quiet conviction. She adjusted her posture, her mask hiding the smile in her eyes, and began making her way across the room.

As she approached, the man turned his head slightly, as though sensing her presence. His gaze met hers briefly through the crowd, and she saw the flicker of recognition in his eyes. His lips curled into a faint knowing smile.

"Miss Kingston," he greeted when she was within earshot, his voice smooth but laced with curiosity. "I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight."

Elmira inclined her head, maintaining her composure. "I could say the same for you, Mr. Kealon."

Kaelon’s smile widened slightly, though his eyes remained sharp behind his mask. "It seems fate enjoys bringing unlikely acquaintances together in the most elaborate settings."

Elmira tilted her head, her expression calm and unreadable beneath her silver mask. "Or perhaps it’s less fate and more careful planning. You don’t strike me as the type to leave things to chance."

Kaelon chuckled softly, his hand still resting on the younger boy’s back as though grounding him. "Touché. But I could say the same about you. Crashing a party like this takes more than just courage—it requires intent. So, what brings you here, Miss Kingston? Surely not the champagne."

Elmira’s lips curled into a faint smirk. "I came for a purpose, as I’m sure you can guess. And I believe we have a mutual interest to discuss."

Cian, the younger boy beside Kaelon, tilted his head, his gaze turning to Kealon beside him. "Isn’t she Miss Killer Heels?"

Kealon grinned, turning to face Cian as he ruffled his air before kissing him on the forehead. "You are so cute," he said before nodding and glancing at Elmira. "Yes, she is Elmira Kingston."

"Are you both done being all lovey-dovey? If you are, then I’m sure you know why I am here."

Kaelon raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Straight to business, I see. Very well, Miss Kingston. Shall we step somewhere more private to discuss your... purpose?"

Elmira gave a small nod, her posture poised and confident. "Lead the way."

Kaelon motioned for Cian to stay behind, but the younger boy clung to his arm stubbornly. "I want to come too. I don’t want to be alone with people I barely or don’t know at all."

Kaelon sighed, kissing him on the cheek and gently detaching Cian’s hand from his arm. "Not this time, Cian. Stay here and enjoy the party. I won’t be long."

Cian pouted but didn’t relent, instead, he held Kealon’s face in his hands and placed their foreheads together, giving him one of his most lethal puppy dog eyes. "Please?"

Kealon stared at him for some time before sighing and closing his eyes. When he opened them, he stared at Cian with a smile before nodding. Immediately, Cian grinned and held his arm as they turned to face Elmira who was rolling her eyes.

Kaelon glanced at Elmira, his smile unwavering as he spoke. "Looks like you’ll have to deal with both of us, Miss Kingston. I hope you don’t mind."

Elmira sighed, clearly unimpressed but unwilling to waste time arguing. "Fine, as long as he doesn’t interrupt."

Cian grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "Don’t worry, I’ll behave. I’m just here for moral support—and maybe a little entertainment."

Kaelon led the way, his demeanor calm but alert as he maneuvered through the sea of masked guests. Elmira followed closely, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger or unwanted attention. Cian trailed behind, his grip on Kaelon’s arm firm.

They stopped in front of a door marked with an intricate gold design. Kaelon pushed it open, revealing a small but luxurious sitting room adorned with velvet drapes and dim, golden lighting. The hum of the party outside became a faint murmur as the door clicked shut behind them.

Kaelon gestured to the chairs surrounding a low table. "Shall we?"

Elmira stepped forward, her movements graceful as she chose the seat directly across from Kaelon. She sat with perfect posture, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Cian plopped down beside Kaelon, leaning back and crossing his legs casually as he studied Elmira with open curiosity.

"So," Kaelon began, his tone smooth but firm. "Let’s not waste time. You came here for a reason. What is it you wish to discuss?"

Elmira didn’t hesitate, her voice steady and confident. "The drive."

Kaelon’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes. "Ah, I was wondering when this would come up. And why do you think I’d be interested in something like that?"

"Because you’re not one to leave loose ends," Elmira replied coolly. "And you know as well as I do that this particular drive contains information that could disrupt more than one powerful organization. Information that could cause irreversible damage if it fell into the wrong hands."

Cian sat up straighter, his curiosity piqued. "Wait, what kind of information are we talking about here?"

Elmira ignored him, her gaze locked on Kaelon. "You’re careful, methodical. You wouldn’t let something like this slip through your fingers unless you had a plan. I’m here to ensure that plan aligns with mine."

Kaelon leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "And what exactly is your plan, Miss Kingston?"

"To hand over the drive to someone who can actually protect it," she said bluntly. "It’s too dangerous for me to keep. But I need assurance—proof that it won’t be used for anything that could harm innocent people."

Kaelon’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "You’re quite the idealist, aren’t you?"

"Call it what you want," Elmira said evenly. "But I’m not handing it over without guarantees."

Kaelon’s gaze darkened slightly, his tone turning serious. "And if I refuse to give you those guarantees?"

Elmira’s expression didn’t falter. "Then you’ll have to find another way to get the drive, and we both know that would be... inconvenient for everyone involved."

Cian’s eyes darted between them, the tension in the room palpable. "Okay, I know I’m not the mastermind here, but shouldn’t we all, like, be on the same side? If this drive is that important, maybe working together is the better option?"

Kaelon’s gaze softened slightly as he glanced at Cian, a hint of amusement returning to his eyes. "You make a fair point."

He turned back to Elmira, his tone measured. "Very well. I’ll hear you out. What do you propose?"

Elmira leaned forward, her voice low but firm. "A partnership. I’ll give you the drive, but only if you agree to let me know any information on what happens to it. I want transparency, Mr. Kaelon. No hidden agendas, no backdoor deals."

Kaelon studied her for a moment, his sharp gaze weighing her words. Finally, he nodded. "Agreed. But remember, trust is a two-way street, Miss Kingston. Don’t give me a reason to regret this."

Elmira inclined her head, her expression resolute. "I won’t. But I expect the same from you."

Kaelon’s smile returned, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Then we have a deal."