Chapter 2
336words
The top floor banquet hall of the St. Felix Hotel.
"Evelyn, your dress hem is crooked. Don't move, let me fix it for you."
Carlos's voice was gentle and doting as he knelt before me, carefully adjusting my dress hem in front of hundreds of distinguished guests.
His movements were natural, focused, as if I were a priceless treasure, completely ignoring the murmurs around us.
*Click.*
Camera flashes engulfed us, bright as daylight.
I could already see tomorrow's headlines.
"Business Tycoon Carlos Shows Extreme Devotion to Sister: Inside Their Unusual Bond"
"Revealed! Why Billionaire Carlos Van Drian Remains Single: His Sister Evelyn"
In everyone's eyes, he was my "brother" Carlos Van Drian, who doted on me to an extreme degree. Some even whispered that he remained unmarried because he harbored inappropriate feelings for his little sister.
Seven years ago, he had "rescued" me from that burning mansion and adopted me, claiming I was the child of an old friend.
Then he had unleashed the full might of his business empire and systematically destroyed everyone involved in my parents' murder—my uncle and all his accomplices.
Not to prison. To hell.
Today, he was the youngest legend in finance, the perfect elite whom countless socialites desperately pursued.
Elegant. Powerful. Handsome. Wealthy. Impeccable.
The perfect brother. The perfect guardian. The perfect... human.
But only I knew it was all a disguise.
He wasn't my brother.
He was my Familiar.
An ancient demon who had lived for thousands of years, with my eighteen-year-old soul as his promised feast.
I maintained my slightly spoiled expression, leaned in close, and whispered in his ear with a voice only we two could hear.
"Carlos, I'm thirsty. I want champagne poured by your hand."
After saying this, I deliberately blew softly into his ear.
His body stiffened for a moment, almost imperceptibly.
Then he looked up, still wearing that perfect mask of brotherly affection, his disguised human eyes warm with indulgence.
"Yes, my master."
He responded in the same hushed tone.
