“To my brilliant plan. It’s payback time, baby,” she said with a crooked smile, sipping her drink.

I rolled my eyes and downed mine. “Just..

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Remember your ex-best friend Sarah owns one of the biggest fashion stores in Maryland.”

My eyebrows rose. “Yes... what about her?”

“Not long ago, two people publicly accused her of selling counterfeit designs. One woman Dawn Pearl said she bought a fake piece of jewelry at a ridiculous price. When she complained, Sarah threatened her and silenced her.”

“What?” I blinked. “Sarah told me she was just some crazy woman trying to ruin her business.”

“She was painted that way,” Gracias said calmly. “The media were paid to make her look hysterial and attention-seeking. So when she spoke out about being bullied, no one took her seriously. She deactivated all her social media. No one’s heard from her since.”

My jaw tightened. “That’s... that’s not enough proof, Gracias.”

“There’s more.” She straightened and leaned toward me.

“Edward Jones—he owned a retail business. It collapsed after Sarah sold him cheap, substandard designs at outrageous prices. He called her out. She tried to bribe him, but he refused. He sued her. But after a terrible car accident, the case was dropped. He hasn’t spoken about it since.”

A cold shiver ran through me. I knew Sarah was ambitious and ruthless. She was a daredevil when it came to getting what she wanted. But this… this screams evil.

“Okay, this is shocking. But I don’t want to get involved. People shouldn’t be used as tools to fight personal battles.”

Gracias shrugged. “She doesn’t care who she hurts. Don’t see it as revenge, Karen. See it as helping people who were silenced. She targets average or poor customers—people she knows she can intimidate.”

I stared at my half-full glass, unsure whether to drink it or pour it down the sink. "Getting these people to talk, finding them... it just didn’t seem worth it", I said in resignation.

“That’s why you need to return to the family business,” Gracias said. “You’d be in a position of power—to protect people or to fight Sarah.

I’m sure something is fishy,” she added with conviction. “Have you ever thought about how these people disappear without a trace? They could be more victims just that these two are more popular'',

“I’m hurt,” I admitted, my voice sober. “The damage they’ve done to me is irreparable. But this? It sounds ridiculous. I’m not doing it. I won’t roll in the mud with them. I’m moving to Hong Kong to further my education.”

“You know,” Gracias flipped her long hair over her shoulder, her hazel eyes gleaming as she swirled her drink, “they’re lucky. They know you won’t do anything. That’s why they had the guts to fuck right under your nose—on your matrimonial bed—and on Noel’s birthday. The birthday you painstakingly planned from scratch.” She downed the rest of her drink.

I sucked in a breath and slumped on the couch. I believed her. Since we were kids, my sister had always been vindictive. I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV to distract myself. I kept scrolling through channels, searching for my favorite comedy show. Then I paused, a knot tightening in my throat, almost choking me.

Sarah and Noel appeared on screen, smiling at the camera flashes, posing for a photo at a red carpet event. Noel’s arm looped around her tiny waist possessively. He was all over her, kissing every inch of her body he could reach. Sarah, on her part, flaunted her engagement ring like a trophy.

Anger and envy simmered inside me. The pain felt fresh—like an open wound. My chest heaved with rage. Noel never took me to events. He hid me like a disease throughout our entire marriage. He claimed public displays of affection repulsed him. But now? We’d barely separated, and he was flaunting and doting on my best friend all over social media. he took advantage of my father's influence and picked my brains to run his company and then dispose me like a piece of trash. The painful memories of them watching me fell apart by their betrayal and smirk to my face.

Hot tears streamed down my cheeks. I hated that it still affected me so much.

I turned to Gracias, swiping my tears.

“Tell me more about your plan.”

“Now you’re talking,” she said, a smile tugging at her lips. “Whatever it takes to get back at them. Let’s start by getting solid evidence of Sarah selling fake designs and abusing her power. As for Noel—there are several ways to hit him and his business. The fact that the success of his current company even exists is because of you. Bunch of losers,” she scoffed.

“Fair enough,” I said stiffly, clenching my fists. “How do I find those people? Where do I start?” I fumed

“Calm down, Karen. One step at a time. First, we need to tell Dad and Mom you’re ready to return to the family business. Then we track down the victims using their last known locations from Chatsnap. Meanwhile... it’s time to party! Let’s celebrate our new plan,” Gracias said excitedly.

“I’m not interested,” I muttered, wiping my tears and turned off the television. “All I want is to get my own pound of flesh.”

“Okay, girl.” Her tone softened. She gently wiped my tears with her fingers. “We’ll get there. You’ve been crying and sulking since the separation—I get it, you loved him. But he’s out there living his best life. Come on, let’s go unwind,” Gracias persuaded.

“Fine,” I agreed reluctantly.

I showered and slipped into a shimmery, skimpy dress that barely covered my ass. I untie my dark brown, my wavy hair fall over my shoulders. With light makeup and bold red lipstick, I wore my high-heeled boots and spun around infront of the mirror.

“I’m ready,” I said, admiring my breathtaking transformation in the mirror.

“Girl, you are going to cause a commotion, aren’t you?” Gracias complimented.

I smiled shyly. We drove to a high-end nightclub.

My sister was right—I caused a commotion. Men stared and winked as I passed. It felt liberating—to be desired, to be lusted after. I took another shot of tequila and danced to the beat, my hips swaying freely. I turned down their requests to dance with me, I glared furiously at the persistent ones to stay off. After a while, I felt the urge to pee and headed to the toilet

After using the toilet, I took a wrong turn and ended up in the garage. I had accidentally exited the club through the wrong door. I turned to walk back, scanning for the entrance. That’s when I saw two men talking in raspy voices. Their frightening eyes met mine. I looked away and quickened my pace.

I felt a slap on my ass.

“Hey, bitch,” one of them growled, pulling me close and grabbing my butt.

“How dare you!” I slapped him hard and shoved him away. My hand stung from hitting his hard muscles.

"You're a dead meat", he scoffed, raking his hand through his messy locks. his hooded eyes narrowing at me. Before I could run, the other man grabbed me. I froze, paralyzed by fear. They dragged me into a dark alley.

“Leave her alone you bastards !!” a deep voice rang out. I couldn’t see clearly, but the man punched him in his face. He kicked the other one so hard, he dropped to the ground.

“Say your last prayer, buddy,” the attacker snarled, swiping blood off his lips and pulling out a knife.

My heart pounded. Then I caught a glimpse of the man protecting me—Nathan, my sneaky link from a few nights ago.

He raised his hands as if surrendering. But then, he pulled out a small shiny dagger. The attackers hesitated, then ran off.

I stood frozen, my mind racing. Who was he? A criminal? A drug lord? A mafia kingpin?

“Hey, let’s get out of here,” without waiting for me to pull my thoughts together, he grabbed my hand and led me to his car.

As soon as he settled into the driver’s seat, I leaned closer, without thinking, my mouth pressed against his. He resisted at first, but I felt him melt into the kiss. I ruffled his hair, tilting my body towards him. He grabbed my thighs and pulled up my gown—thankfully, my skimpy dress made access easy.

Then, he broke the kiss, leaving me frustrated.

“Why are you out here alone?” he asked, his deep voice was authoritative.

I pushed my messy hair back and sighed, annoyed.

“What business do you have with those men?” he demanded.

“What?” My brow rise, “Does it matter now?”

“Yes,” he snapped. A flash of fury reflected in his eyes. “They almost harmed you.”

“Nothing, I don't even know them, I’m a grown woman. I came to have fun,” I retorted, I stretched my gown and fall back to my seat.

“Alone? Wearing this?” he asked with disapproval.

I felt rage bubble inside me. Just because we slept together didn’t mean he can control me.

“So now you’re going to police my clothes? Seriously?” I snapped angrily.

I jumped out of the car and slammed the door shut.

“Fuck you!” I cursed him and stormed off into the night.

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