581: [Bonus chapter] Performance

[Bonus chapter] Performance

"KYAH!!!"2

The moment all the lights in the venue went out, a scream from the venue echoed. Everyone stopped from where they were as they felt blind for a few seconds. However, before they could even think about anything else, the screen on the stage turned on. 

Everyone slowly set their eyes on the only thing they could see in this darkness. The screen only showed a moving straight horizontal line. Deep lines appeared between their brows, squinting their eyes, curious about what that meant. 

Was this part of the ceremony? A performance? Every year, doing performances on the company's anniversary would always be a part of the ceremony. So, although it was quite abrupt, many in the venue immediately concluded it was a performance. Whoever that woman screamed earlier panicked for nothing. 

"Hahaha!"

When the moving straight horizontal line turned zigzag at the sound of the deep laugh, everyone felt a chill down their spine. With bated breath, the audience kept their eyes glued to the screen, hoping this was just a performance. 

After all, tonight's theme was a masquerade. Although many didn't wear their mask as they simply held them or kept them tucked in their suits, it still had that mysterious vibe. Having a suspense theme as the opening performance still somehow fell in the category. 

"Another year of success…" The voice echoing from the microphone was deep as if it had gone through a voice changer to conceal his real voice. "The Lyon Group reaching greater heights…"

The sound of drums thudded, making everyone's heart feel each beat. As the voice faded a little, people from behind the stage came out. Seeing they were in costumes, walking strangely with their knees bent, paint on their faces, everyone heaved a sigh of relief. 

So, it was a performance, after all?

Fire burst out on the side of the stage, blazing to give a better effect at the dance on the stage. The people in costumes danced along to what sounded like a piece of tribal music with crackles of fire in the background.

"Woah!" Some people wowed when someone breathed out fire, earning a round of loud applause from everyone. 

The performers continued to do tricks and dance, making everyone engaged in their performance. This wasn't the usual performance they watched in the past, but it was still amazing. Well, considering the company earned double this year, they should also step up the ceremony. 

"Like a moon in the night…" In the middle of the performance, the deep voice resonated once again. This time, it didn't give off the same scary vibe it initially gave. It sounded well with the music and performance. "... shining bright in the dark, giving light and hope to go through in the helpless night."

The music was slightly volumed down while the performers tiptoed in harmony. Their shoulders were moving up and down, dispersing on the stage as they walked with their bent knees. Everyone anticipated what would happen next or what sort of tricks they would do this time.

But alas, what happened next brought a mix of emotions to everyone. 

"Sometimes, the things you see in the shadows are more than just shadows." The deep voice echoed once again. "Dominic Zhu, enjoying the show?"

Everyone gasped when the performers suddenly pulled out weapons from out of nowhere. They pointed it at the audience, hissing, and still keeping their stance like in their performance. 

"Those are fakes, right?" in the audience, a man tugged the person sitting beside him. His wide eyes were still on the stage, staring at the weapons in the performer's possession. "This is still part of the performance, correct?"

The other person couldn't say anything because, just like the other person, he had the same question. This was still part of the show, right? The performance was dancing and doing tricks, but they could all follow the story of their behavior. Therefore, many wanted to believe it was still a part of the play. 

"You were lucky back then… though I cannot say you are tonight." The deep voice rang in the same volume, but somehow, it planted a seed of fear in everyone. 

Some wanted to run away as they already sensed danger, but a part of them told them to stay still. They didn't want to be a laughingstock in the office tomorrow for running away with their tails in between their legs just because a performance scared them. But others who didn't have that much pride had to sit back in their seats at the sight of more weapons within the crowd. 

"What's… going on?" A woman at one of the many tables in the event hall looked up at the person standing just a few steps from her. The man was wearing the uniform of the server's tonight and his face was concealed with a mask. She gulped, seeing the rifle he was holding. 

Looking around, people started noticing the red light dots around the venue. They held their breaths as their hearts shook within their chest. If this was still part of the performance, then they were truly doing a great job. Everyone was scared out of their wits now, thinking they might die tonight if this was actually a real hostage-taking.

Everyone could only pray they were wrong.

But Dominic, who was sitting quietly in his seat, already knew it wasn't just a performance. Some of the performers were aiming at him. When slid his eyes to the corner, he caught some men wearing the server's uniforms who were also holding guns. Some of them were raised in his direction, while others were to the bodyguards in place. 

"Dominic Zhu." Silence followed the voice they were hearing through the speakers. "It was one hell of a year, wasn't it? For both you and me. As a gift to celebrate another year of this life, I have a gift for you, Dominic Zhu."

The moving zigzag on the screen on the stage disappeared, replaced by photos of some bones. Bones… that seemed human. The voice still spoke in the background as another photo appeared. This time, it was a person floating in a tank full of suspicious liquid. 

Everyone furrowed their brows at the photos they had seen so far. Their hearts continuously thudded as it seemed the first two photos were akin to murder pictures. The next photo, however, earned loud gasps and screams because this time, they could see a person's bloody face. The man in the photo was still in the tank. His mouth was open as if he was screaming. The thin smoke around him was clear as day. 

However, most of them didn't recognize the man as his face was swollen and blood was all over his face. However, Dominic recognized him at first glance.

"Axel."

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