Chapter 94 Opportunity.

All the guests had arrived at the mansion, and it was time for the ball to begin. The butler guided everyone into the massive, luxurious hall, where everything was coated in gold or silver. Rasmus entered the hall alone until Erlina and Carrion approached him and stood beside him. "You left me..." Erlina looked at Rasmus, she was sulking beneath her mask. "I know, that's why I sent Carrion to accompany you. I wouldn't leave you alone unattended," Rasmus looked at Erlina and Carrion. Carrion had already told Erlina about it, but she just wanted to rant about it. She also told Carrion about the man who abruptly left the room as soon as they mentioned Rasmus's name. "So, where did you go and what did you find?" Erlina asked in a quiet and soft voice, making sure nobody heard their conversation. "Also, they knew that you live with Rion," she pointed out. "That makes it even better," Rasmus responded as he looked at Carrion. "The guy that left, he's a part of an organization, similar to the Wraiths that I told you two about. So there's a chance that they will approach Carrion soon and will either use him to get me or use him as a scapegoat," he explained as he watched the guests go to their own groups in the hall. Carrion raised his brows and realized he had been dragged into Rasmus's problem. He didn't want to be a part of it, and after he heard about the organization that had something to do with murder. Erlina looked at him and she could tell that he was anxious about it. She gently placed her hand on his back and caressed it slowly. "Don't worry, they're planning to keep an eye out for now, so they won't do anything to me or you yet. I'm not going to let someone like you die unless you deserve it," Rasmus said and looked at Carrion. Sёarᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That's... assuring... in a weird way..." Carrion raised his brows as he sighed deeply. The light in the hall became dim and everyone went quiet as their focus turned toward the door in front of them. The servants opened the door and there was a man in a long black robe with a black bird mask and a gentleman hat, standing still with a black cane in his left hand. His wife stood beside him in a beautiful colorful dress and a blue bird mask, making her look like a peacock. Everyone began to give them applause for his amazing costume. "The man of the evening is finally here," Erlina muttered as she stared at Esteban. "Carrion, let's forget about the bet we made," Rasmus said as he observed Esteban. "Huh? Seriously?" Carrion looked at Rasmus with his brows furrowed. "There must be a catch, so what is it?" "Let them use you and tell me everything you get from them," Rasmus answered and glanced at Carrion. "They won't suspect you a thing, and you can pretend that you don't like me. You can tell them the reason for my visit to gain their trust as well," he added. "Okay, is that all?" Carrion crossed his arms. "Sell me out if you have to, but not my plan. I'll play along with your fake scheme against me, I can handle myself," Rasmus answered with confidence. "Be as believable as possible, but you must be careful because I don't know how dangerous these people are," he warned as he put his hand on Carrion's shoulder. "Are you sure? I can handle myself, but what about you?" Carrion glanced at Rasmus's hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure," Rasmus nodded and looked at Esteban who was going to give his speech. The hall became quiet as Esteban and his wife walked to the center of the hall. Everyone's eyes were focused on their beautiful costumes as they waited for them to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending and for coming to my humble place. We have rebuilt this nation and maintained it for years and we have made this nation more prosperous thanks to all of your efforts. Today is the celebration to commemorate our hardships for this nation and its people," Esteban said as he raised his hand. Everyone gave Esteban a round of applause. "Now, let's enjoy the food, drink, and the music!" Esteban said and then the pianist and the violinists began to play a song. Everyone began to move to the dance floor and began to dance with their partners. "Go," Rasmus looked at Erlina and Carrion. "I want you two to be seen by Esteban." Erlina and Carrion shared a look for a moment, but then Carrion offered his hand to her. Erlina took his hand and immediately Carrion brought her to the dance floor. Rasmus on the other hand, keeping his eyes on Esteban and the man with the black tiger mask. It didn't take a while before the man with the tiger mask approached Esteban and whispered something to him. Esteban said something to the man and slowly he turned his head to look at where Erlina and Carrion were. It was as Rasmus had expected that Esteban was a part of the organization as well. When the pianist began to play a new song, Rasmus walked to the dance floor and snatched Erlina from Carrion. "Go, Esteban might approach you once he realizes you're not on the dance floor anymore," Rasmus said to Carrion as he took Erlina's hands. Carrion gave a slight nod before he left the dance floor. "Keep an eye on him," Rasmus stared into Erlina's eyes as he led her feet in the dance floor. "Okay..." Erlina responded and began to keep an eye on Carrion. It was barely a minute when Carrion left the dance floor, and someone approached him. Erlina watched Carrion talk with the man with the tiger mask and informed Rasmus. She then saw those two walk toward Esteban, she tightened her grip on Rasmus's hand because she was worried about him. "I promise I won't let them harm him if they try," Rasmus whispered. "He's too valuable for me and Esteban since he's an Earnwind. They won't do anything to him," he assured and changed position so he could see Carrion. "I know they won't hurt him..." Erlina sighed as she followed Rasmus's feet. "I just... I just don't want him to drown himself in those drugs. I know Esteban, and I know he would try to make Carrion in his grasp." "Then tell Carrion that yourself. If you're worried about him, then say it," Rasmus responded as he looked down at Erlina. "He will listen to you," he said with a serious expression. "I doubt it," Erlina scoffed as she looked down. "How can he listen to you if you're doubting him?" Rasmus chuckled. "Just tell him your concern, and he'll listen. Trust me," he assured. Erlina didn't say a word and kept dancing, following Rasmus's lead to the music. After the music ended, Rasmus and Erlina bowed to each other and then left the dance floor. They both looked around and they didn't find Carrion anywhere, and they couldn't find the man with the tiger mask as well. They assumed that Carrion was brought somewhere to where the rest of them were. The rumors that Erlina had spread had reached everyone's ears and began to discuss it. They were worried that the issue would affect the goods and increase the price again. They had noticed the issue with the pricing of food and clothing in the market because of Vivelda and Urion companies that monopolized the market. They also heard about the other companies that had given up on trading and shipping because of those two and decided to sell their businesses. The rumors created a chain reaction and everyone began to show concern about how bad the situation had become. They began to think about if they should make a new port, but they knew it wouldn't change anything because sooner or later those two companies would monopolize that place again. "Did you expect this to happen?" Erlina asked as she looked around at the other guests. "All I did just give them a little push and everything will pour naturally," Rasmus answered. "Now that I think about it, we can use my new identity as the new competitor in the trading and shipping business," he pointed out as he looked at Erlina. "Aren't you an opportunist, my dear patron," Erlina's eyes were smiling. "Shall we?" She wrapped her arm around Rasmus's arm. "We shall," Rasmus nodded.