Alala looking at her hand. As Venus gracefully moved through the bustling crowd, her presence lingered on the periphery of everyone’s vision. Her striking beauty surpassed that of every other guest in attendance, yet she remained a captivating enigma, unseen and ignored. To acknowledge her was to risk social exile, a fate none in attendance dared to invite upon themselves. Her allure was a paradox—stunning, yet repelled and despised. Mainly those belonging to the illustrious

(Note: This is only part of the prologue. The first half of the prologue I am keeping to myself. It reveals too much about the first book and its ending. I don't want to spoil it for anyone.) Prologue: Charis bolted upright in bed. Sweat clung to her face, her hair plastered to her skin. She was breathing heavily, coughing, unable to get air. Gasping, she reached for the glass of water she kept by her bedside and took a shaky sip. The nightmares were too frequent now. Always

Chapter Two: These seven families, basking in their unique grandeur, owed their affluence to the blessings of Vaneesha, the mysterious benefactor of their fortunes. Through her teachings, she had empowered them to master their crafts with unmatched finesse, transforming their talents into thriving enterprises. Gone were the days when the seven families humbly acknowledged their indebtedness to Vaneesha for her benevolence. Their gratitude had slowly eroded, replaced by an arr