Chapter 7 – The Mask Falls
Behind every door, a secret waits.
Tonight, truth breaks free —
And nothing will ever be the same.
Johnson froze the moment he saw the boy shoving Clara into the room.
His heart pounded. He rushed to the gate, looked straight at the security AI, and commanded sharply:
Johnson: "Activate surveillance. Record everything. Don't stop."
Inside, the boy slammed the door shut and turned the lock. Clara's eyes widened — she fought back.
She punched him hard in the jaw. He stumbled, collapsing onto the bed. She dashed for the door.
But the boy recovered quickly, grabbed her from behind, and threw her back across the room. She hit the floor hard.
Johnson was banging on the door now, fists slamming against the wood.
Johnson: "Open the door! You know the consequences of your actions. Stop this now!"
From inside, the boy yelled back, voice slurred and filled with fury.
The Boy: "Why are you bothering me?! What is your problem? Are you her boyfriend or something?!"
Clara struggled to free herself — panic rising. She could smell alcohol on his breath. Her mind was spinning. She pushed him with all her strength, but in trying to escape, she stumbled, hit the edge of the bed, and collapsed.
Johnson felt a sharp pain in his chest.
Johnson (screaming): "Clara!"
He kicked the door. Once. Twice. On the third blow, it cracked open and he stormed inside.
Clara lay unconscious on the floor. Her face was flushed, body limp. Johnson rushed to her, dropping to his knees.
Johnson: "Clara… Clara, wake up! What happened to you?"
The boy tried to run.
But Johnson turned, his eyes burning with rage. He tackled him to the ground, fists pounding.
Johnson (furious): "Who are you?! What did you do to her?!"
He tore off the boy's mask — and froze.
Jayson.
Johnson's eyes widened with disbelief.
Johnson: "You? Jayson?"
Jayson (bloody, sneering): "You really thought I'd let you win? You, Nelson, Peter — you're all standing in my way. But not for long."
With one swift movement, Jayson kneed Johnson in the stomach and fled. No one stopped him.
Johnson coughed, then rushed back to Clara.
She was burning with fever.
He darted into the bathroom, soaked his handkerchief in cold water, and ran back, dabbing her face, whispering urgently.
Johnson: "Please wake up… come on Clara…"
She coughed weakly. Her eyes fluttered open.
Clara: "Johnson?"
He pulled her into a gentle embrace, nearly in tears.
Johnson: "Thank God… I thought I lost you."
But Clara suddenly pulled away, her eyes filling with confusion — then fear.
Clara: "What are you doing here?! Did you follow me?"
Johnson: "No, Clara, listen to me—"
Clara (cutting him off): "So it was YOU who dragged me into the room?"
Johnson (shocked): "What? No! Clara, I just saved you! It was—"
Clara: "Don't lie to me! You wanted to… to take advantage of me, didn't you?!"
She slapped him across the face — hard.
Johnson didn't move. He just looked at her, stunned, heartbroken.
Johnson (softly): "You're making a mistake…"
But she didn't wait.
Clara grabbed his wrist and dragged him into the center of the party. Music stopped. All eyes turned.