Inside the boutique, Young Master Jonas William Scrubb meticulously picked out his costume for the masquerade. The pampered youngest son of Lord William Scrubb was preparing for a party that night hosted by the Lady May Madeline. Her one and only daughter, Annabelle May Madeline, was to be Jonas’ distinguished partner for the party.

Ahhh... A masquerade, what a splendid idea; in a large ballroom, with hundreds of people of consequence, faces all hidden in masks. No one would see anything, no one would know anything. What a splendid idea! What splendid timing…

“Darling, what do you think of this wonderful dress?” Annabelle asked in her high-pitched voice.

“Splendid, darling, just splendid! I’m sure you will look marvellous in it; the belle of the ball, in fact!” Jonas exclaimed, his eyes gleaming.

Taking the dress, Annabelle draped it over herself and danced gleefully around the boutique. Jonas took her hands and started Waltzing all over the boutique. Laughing, joking and singing merrily together. Anyone who did not know Jonas would easily mistake his merry-making for genuine love towards poor little Annabelle. But then again, no one did know who Jonas William Scrubb really was…