(20
* 10%0
I studied my reflection one final time, adjusting the diamond necklace that caught the light. The black silk moved like water against my skin as I shifted, testing the placement of the wire. Perfect – invisible to any casual observer.
“You don’t have to do this.” Leo’s reflection materialized behind me, his broad shoulders filling the mirror. The tuxedo accentuated his powerful frame, making him look even more dangerous than usual.
“No, we can’t.” I turned to face him, my fingers finding his lapel. The fabric was smooth under my touch as I straightened it, though it hardly needed adjusting. “Harrison Wells has all the answers we need. Every dirty transaction, every shell company Nathaniel used to hide his crimes. Tonight’s our only shot at getting close.”
Leo’s hands found my waist, his touch spreading warmth through the thin silk. “The timing’s risky. Those stories Nathaniel leaked about you are still fresh. Everyone who matters in this city will be at the fundraiser tonight.”
“Good.” I met his gaze, refusing to back down. “I want them to see me. Let them whisper and stare all they want. I’m finished hiding in the shadows.”
His thumb brushed my cheekbone, feather–light against my skin. “You’re incredible, you know that?”
“I learned from the best.” I leaned into his touch, savoring the gentleness in his dark eyes. “A certain mafia boss showed me what real strength looks like when everything’s falling apart.”
A sharp knock interrupted us. Sofia strode in, her usual confident stride betraying tension as she held up her tablet. “We’ve got movement. Nathaniel just posted this.”
My stomach dropped as I looked at the screen. There was my mother, frail and pale in her hospital bed during her final days. The caption beneath made bile rise in my throat: “The truth about Victoria Lane’s ‘devoted‘ daughter act coming soon. You think you know the whole story? You don’t know anything.”
My knees buckled. If not for Leo’s strong arm around my waist, I would have collapsed. “How dare he,” I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper. “How dare he use her like
this.”
“He’s trying to rattle you before tonight.” Sofia’s tone softened with rare gentleness. “Make you sloppy.”
“It’s working.” My fingers clutched Leo’s jacket like a lifeline. “What else could he have?
other lies has he twisted about her?”
Wha
“Hey.” Leo’s hands cupped my face, forcing my eyes to meet his. “Whatever he releases, whatever lies he tells – we know the truth. You tried to save her. That’s what matters.”
I pulled in a shaky breath, willing my racing heart to slow. “You’re right. And tonight, we start taking him down.”
22:45 Fri, 21 Feb
Marry My Ex–husband’s Rival
号 10%日
The city lights blurred past the bulletproof windows of Leo’s Bentley as we drove in tense silence. Each glittering building felt like a reminder of Nathaniel’s reach, his influence. Somewhere out there, he was plotting his next move. The thought of him weaponizing my
mother’s memory stoked the rage burning in my chest.
“Remember the plan,” Sofia called from the front seat. “Get close to Wells, but don’t push too hard. We just need him nervous enough to make mistakes.”
I nodded, my hand finding Leo’s. “And you’ll be watching?”
“Every second.” He squeezed my fingers. “The moment anything feels wrong, we pull out.” The hotel’s grand entrance blazed with light, a fortress of marble and glass reaching into the night sky. Camera flashes exploded as Leo helped me from the car, the paparazzi surging forward like wolves scenting blood. My spine stiffened at their hungry stares.
“That’s her Nathaniel Steele’s wife…”
–
“Did you see the stories about her father’s company?”
“I heard she’s pregnant with his child…”
The whispers followed us up the marble steps, but I kept my chin high. Leo’s hand pressed against the small of my back, warm and steady through the silk of my gown. Each step felt like a statement I wasn’t hiding anymore.
The ballroom doors swung open, and I caught my breath. Crystal chandeliers dripped from a ceiling painted with angels and clouds, their light catching on silk–draped walls in shades of cream and gold. An orchestra played Mozart in the corner, the music floating above the murmur of Vancouver’s elite.
Under different circumstances, the beauty would have moved me. Now I saw only the lies beneath the glamour, the corruption hiding behind designer labels and perfect smiles.
“Wells is by the bar,” Leo murmured, his lips brushing my ear. His breath stirred loose strands of my hair. “Remember, I’ll be within reach if you need me.”
I squeezed his hand once before letting go, already missing his warmth. Show time
Marry My Ex husband h
