"This was a test. But I don’t know if we passed or failed."
No one but Chris had heard her voice.
With the party in disarray, people were more interested in leaving than staying. Now that nothing was stopping them, it was almost like a miracle. Only a few people waited behind.
Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard.
One of the guards ran inside. "Ma, boss, we found Miss Amie."
Serena shared a meaningful glance with Chris before turning back to the guard.
"Where is she? Take me to her."
But again, Samir wouldn’t let them do their job as he jumped in front of Serena.
"Where is she? How’s my daughter? Is she injured?"
The guard hadn’t answered his questions when two other guards helped Amie back into the hall.
Before they could leave her alone, Samir ran to her.
"My daughter."
His hands started moving over her body in search of wounds.
Serena also moved towards her.
"Amie!"
With Chris’s assistance, she was able to cup Amie’s face. Putting on the show was necessary.
"I’m so sorry, Amie. I should have tightened the security or made sure you were beside me the entire time."
Amie looked like she had been attacked by an animal. Her hair was in disarray, and her dress was now dirty and rumpled.
"Mother, don’t blame yourself. No one knew they had a gun inside." She swallowed. "I was so scared. After the gunshot, someone suddenly grabbed me."
Serena nodded. "Did you see whoever grabbed you?"
Amie shook her head. "No. But I know they covered my nose and mouth with something so I couldn’t shout, and soon, I lost my strength. It was so scary."
She was shivering all over.
Serena nodded. "Are you wounded anywhere?"
She then turned to Chris. "Call the doctor."
After that, she stood up.
"The party is over. Thank you all for honoring our invitation."
The guards started helping the remaining guests leave the party.
Samir stayed beside Amie, his hands still moving over her as though checking for injuries.
"Thank God they didn’t wound you. I’m sure whoever did this will soon be apprehended."
Once only close associates remained in the hall, June led everyone to the dining room.
As they were leaving, Serena touched Rauf’s shoulder.
"A minute."
Rauf turned towards June and Ellie. Even though everything seemed fine now, leaving them alone still worried him.
June gave him a reassuring nod.
Before Chris could follow the others, Serena asked him to stay too.
With everyone else gone, Serena removed her glasses and cleaned them.
"We have just been tested."
Rauf looked around.
The hall was silent.
"By whom?"
Serena sighed. "The Monterrios."
Again, Rauf frowned. "What did they want?"
"To know if Amie is really the Vassari heir."
Rauf’s expression hardened.
Serena continued. "The woman who came here claiming to be Amie’s mother created doubt. They needed to know if I was telling the truth, so they created a situation where I wouldn’t have enough time to think before reacting."
Rauf’s gaze moved towards Chris. "And you think that’s all they wanted?"
Serena shrugged. "I don’t know what they intend to do once they identify the real heir. Get information from her? Use her against the family? End the bloodline? I don’t know yet. But tonight, they wanted a reaction."
Rauf’s thoughts went back to June asking him to teach her how to protect herself.
"So what do we do now?"
"We keep up the pretense and continue." Serena looked directly at him. "You have to make everyone believe June has nothing to do with me and that her world revolves around you."
Rauf understood immediately.
The more June appeared connected to him rather than Serena, the less reason anyone would have to associate her with the Vassari family.
After that, they returned to the dining room.
The doctor had arrived and was checking Amie’s pulse. Satisfied, he continued examining her while Samir remained glued to her side.
"It’s just shock. She should be fine after some rest."
Amie was helped to her room by her father.
"I’ll take you home," Chris said to Ellie, and soon, they left together.
Rauf also stood up and helped June.
"Let’s go home."
Then he turned towards his mother.
"And you too."
He wasn’t ready to leave her with Samir again.
Who knew what else he was going to tell her?
After glancing towards the direction Samir had gone, Mrs Salvador Snr decided it was best to follow her son home.
Rauf helped both women into his car, letting June sit in the back so she could rest or sleep while his mother sat in the front.
When he pulled up in front of his house, his mother’s mouth almost fell open.
"You bought a new house here?"
Rauf nodded. "I needed somewhere to stay whenever I’m in New Central State."
Her eyes moved towards June.
"Are you sure it has nothing to do with this woman?"
One of the employees June had hired saw them and rushed over to help June with her purse.
"Welcome, ma’am."
She also gave Rauf’s mother a slight bow before returning inside.
Not wanting to engage with his mother, June excused herself.
Mrs Salvador Snr stared at her back until she was out of sight.
"And now she’s living here comfortably? Even the workers know her?"
Rauf frowned. "Mother, would you prefer to sleep here, or would you rather have me drive you to the nearest hotel?"
That shut her up immediately.
She allowed Rauf to take her to one of the empty rooms.
Thanks to June and the workers she had employed, everywhere was sparkling clean.
When Bingo saw her, he started barking.
Mrs Salvador Snr moved closer to Rauf.
"When did you start keeping a pet?"
Rauf ignored her, picking Bingo up and ruffling his fur.
"I missed you too, buddy."
"Come on, Mother."
He took her to a room in the opposite direction from June’s.
After settling her down, he asked, "Mother, what about the certificate?"
She looked at her nails. Suddenly, they seemed to be the most interesting thing in the world.
"Mother!"
Rauf’s tone was hard and commanding, making her sit up.
"Fine. It’s at my place back in Kansas."
"Where exactly?"
She described where she usually kept her important documents.
"Good. I’ll ask one of the guys to get it early tomorrow morning."
Her eyes widened.
"But the whole place is locked. Are you asking them to break into my apartment?"
Rauf took a deep breath.
"Mother, I only need that certificate. None of your belongings will be missing."
But she was still glaring at him.
Rauf didn’t care.
That was her punishment for messing with the wrong people.