Chapter 2 Chapter One

The Boeing 727 disappeared into a sea of ​​cumulus clouds, bouncing up and down like a giant silver feather.The pilot's anxious voice came over the loudspeaker. "Miss Cameron, is your seat belt on?" no answer. "Miss Cameron...Miss Cameron..." She woke up from a deep dream. "It's fastened." Her mind had just drifted to the happy times and happy places of old. "Are you all right? We're about to fly out of the rainstorm." "I'm fine, Roger." Maybe we'll get lucky and crash, Lara Cameron thought, not a bad ending.I don't know where or how, things are all messed up.This is fate, and fate is irresistible.Over the past few years, her life has spun too fast, out of control, and she is in danger of losing it all.But at least it can't get any worse, she thought with a grimace.Because nothing could be worse than it is now.

The cockpit door opened and the pilot stepped into the cabin, stopping to admire his passengers.She is a stunning beauty, with shiny black hair tied into a bun on the top of her head, radiant skin, and radiant eyes.She had changed clothes after the plane took off from Reno.At this time, she was wearing a necklace inlaid with diamonds and rubies on her neck, and she was wearing a custom-made white off-the-shoulder evening dress, which further accentuated her charming and slender figure.How could this woman appear so calm at the moment when her kingdom was about to crumble?he thought curiously.The press had been mercilessly chasing her down for months.

"Can you still make calls on the plane, Roger?" "I'm afraid not, Miss Cameron, the storm has caused too much disturbance. It appears we will arrive at LaGuardia Airport an hour later than scheduled. Sorry." I'm going to be late for my birthday dinner, Lara thought.Two hundred guests are going to attend the dinner. Among them are the vice president of the United States, the governor of New York State, the mayor of New York City, Hollywood celebrities, sports stars and financiers from six countries.She personally circled the guest list. She had a vision of the Grand Ballroom at Cameron Mall in New York, where the dinner was held.The crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling emits diamond-like brilliance through the crystal ridges, which is fascinating and dazzling.There will be 20 tables in the ballroom for 200 guests.In the center of each table, there is a carefully collaged pattern of white orchids and white irises.

The bar will be located on either side of the spacious reception hall outside the ballroom.In the center of the reception hall, there is a long buffet cold table, on which stands an ice sculpture of a swan.Around the ice sculptures, there are heaps of beluga caviar, gravlax, shrimp, lobster, crabmeat and baskets of chilled champagne.In the kitchen, a ten-story birthday cake has been baked, and it is only for the guests and hosts to enjoy.The waiters, head waiters, and security guards should all be in their positions by now. In the ballroom, a high-society orchestra should also be tuned in the pit, ready to play music to the guests, tempting them to dance and revel on her 40th birthday night.Everything should be in place.

Dinner was to be a hearty meal, and she had chosen the menu herself, foie gras for starters, followed by cream of mushroom soup with a crispy crust of fillet of jute sea bass.The main course followed, lamb risotto with tansy, soufflé assortment and salad with hazelnut oil.After the main course, cheese and grapes followed by birthday cake and coffee. It was going to be a spectacular banquet, and she was going to hold her head high at the banquet, and act poised in front of her guests.She, or Lara Cameron! When the private jet finally landed at LaGuardia Airport, it was an hour and a half behind schedule.

Lara turned to the pilot and said, "We're flying back to Renault tonight, Roger." "I'll stay here, Miss Cameron." Her limousine and driver were waiting for her by the gangway. "I'm anxious for you, Miss Cameron." "We've had bad weather, Max, and now we're going to the mall as fast as we can." "Yes, ma'am." Lara picked up the phone in the car and dialed Jerry Townsend's number.It was he who was in charge of all the specific arrangements for tonight's banquet, and Lara wanted to know if her guests were well taken care of.No one answered the phone.Maybe he was busy in the ballroom, Lara thought.

"Hurry up, Max." "Yes, Miss Cameron." Every time she sees the majestic and majestic figure of the Cameron Mall Hotel, Lara always feels intoxicated by the building she created.But tonight is too tense for her to relax; all the guests are waiting for her in the big ballroom! She pushed open the revolving door of the hotel and quickly walked through the spacious and magnificent foyer.Carlos, the lobby manager, saw her and hurried forward. "Miss Cameron..." "I'll talk about it later." Lara just walked forward without looking back.She stopped in front of the closed door of the big ballroom and took a deep breath.Now I can face everyone, Lara thought.She pushed open the door swiftly, showing a happy face, but was dumbfounded immediately—the hall was pitch black.Are you guys going to play tricks on me?She touched the switch behind the door and turned on the light.I saw that the entire hall was empty and was palely illuminated by the lights.Lara stood there in a daze.

What exactly happened?Where can two hundred guests hide?The invitation card was clearly printed, the banquet started at 8 o'clock, and it was almost 10 o'clock now, how could so many guests disappear without a trace?She looked around the empty hall, trembling all over.Last year, it was also at her birthday dinner, also in this hall, that she was full of guests, full of guests, music and laughter everywhere.She still remembers that day vividly...