hapter 21 Charity Gala
Candice left her parents‘ house at six in the morning.
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Usually by that time, her dad would be out for his morning walk, and her mom would already be in the kitchen making
breakfast. But today, both were still asleep—after all, they hadn’t gone to bed until past 2 a.m., which was a late night
for them.
She left a note stuck on the fridge.
After sneaking out of the neighborhood in disguise, she took a cab to Sophia’s place.
When Sophia opened the door, she had two dark circles under her eyes.
“Kyle doesn’t deserve to be called human! He’s a freaking animal! No–calling him an animal is an insult to animals!”
“And Mia Jones and her mother? They’re worse than pigs and dogs!”
Ever since she got the call from Candice in the middle of the night, she’d been burning with fury. The moment Candice
told her what happened, she’d wanted to storm over and tear those people apart.
Sophia was practically shaking with rage.
Candice, on the other hand, was unusually calm.
After changing into slippers, she asked, “Got anything in the fridge? I’ll make us breakfast.”
Sophia looked at her like she was nuts. “…You’re in the mood for breakfast right now?”
Candice took off her coat and placed it neatly aside, then pressed her seething bestie down onto the couch. “No point
starving over garbage like them. Gotta fill up first–need the strength to take them down.”
Just as she was about to walk away, Sophia grabbed her hand.
“Wait…” She stared at Candice’s wrist. There were two deep red marks, nearly broken skin. Sophia shivered in horror. “They *tied* you up like that in a situation like *that*? They really didn’t want to leave you any way out.”
“Yeah,” Candice’s smile was bitter. “They really didn’t.”
“Mia Jones being a venomous witch is one thing, but Kyle…” Sophia’s voice hitched with emotion. “Even if he didn’t love you anymore, he could’ve just ended it. Did he have to be *this* cruel? You two were together for *eight years*! And he does all this for someone he’s known for less than six months? I just–1 really can’t understand it.”
“To make his new fling happy, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do.”
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Chapter 21 Charity Gala
“But he was just running all over looking for you, acting like he still cared!”
Cared? *Ha.*
“Did you know he’s announcing his engagement to Mia Jones tonight?”
“What?!”
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Sophia whipped her head around in shock. “You’re not even divorced yet! Wait a second…” A horrifying thought popped into her mind. “You don’t think he *knew* you tricked him into signing the divorce agreement?”
Candice pressed her lips together. “I’ve considered that possibility.”
Sophia’s eyes narrowed. “What if this was all planned from the start? His mom keeps you complacent, Mia provokes you to make sure you’re dead–set on divorcing. Once the divorce and the settlement agreement take effect, he gets to end the marriage and walk away *without paying a cent*.”
“And if you didn’t cooperate, they’d use that video to threaten you. To protect your reputation, you’d have no choice but to swallow the pain. That way, he and Mia Jones could be together without any baggage.”
“That man is *terrifying*…”
Candice sank into thought.
Could it really be?
Thinking back on Kyle’s actions and Mia’s words from last night, something didn’t quite add up. “Sophia, I need you to help me with something.”
Sophia’s righteous fury was blazing. “Name it. Fire, blades, hell itself–I’m with you all the way!”
**7:00 p.m.**
Peninsula Hotel Ballroom.
Glittering chandeliers, gentle classical music, a sea of gowns and tuxedos–wealthy elites moved through the space, clinking glasses and exchanging pleasantries. It was the very picture of a society soirée.
Tonight’s charity gala was hosted by Caroline Jenkins.
She had invited half of Vanclyn’s upper crust. The Jones family, in particular, was out in full force.
Judging by how close the two families looked, anyone with eyes could tell: something big was coming.
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Chapter 21 Charity Gala
From the moment she arrived, Mia Jones clung to Kyle’s arm, occasionally checking her phone.
What the hell were those people doing?
Not answering calls, not sending the video–what was going on?
It couldn’t have failed, right?
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Impossible. They had Candice in bed already–how could they have messed it up? And besides, if something *had gone wrong, Candice would’ve come looking for her by now.
Unless…
they killed her and were too scared to show their faces?
She curled her lips.
Boring.
If she was dead, then where was the fun? Far better to have that b*tch contract HIV and live a life worse than death.
At that moment, Caroline Jenkins approached. “Mia, Auntie will introduce you to some people.”
She led Mia away with a warm smile, lowering her voice as they walked: “Did everything go smoothly? Did she sign the
settlement?”
Mia paused for a second, then confidently replied, “Of course. I’ll bring you the agreement tomorrow.”
“Wonderful. Mia, you’re amazing.” Caroline beamed.
“It was nothing, really. Just a little trick. It’s my honor to help you, Auntie.”
“You’re such a good girl. Soon you’ll need to start calling me ‘Mom.“”
“I can do that right now–Mom\~”
They laughed together.
In Mia’s mind, she thought, *That b*tch is dead anyway. What does it matter if she signed anything or not?\*
After mingling with a few acquaintances, Kyle stepped out to the balcony for some air.
He lit a cigarette, took a drag, and made a call. “She’s still at her parents‘ house? Hasn’t stepped out all day? Alright, got
it.”
He ended the call with a frown, smoked the rest of his cigarette, and returned to the ballroom.
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Chapter 21 Charity Gala
“Huh?” Mia blinked, confused. She grabbed his arm in panic. “You can’t leave. Tonight’s important for *us*.”
“What’s important?”
Just then, Caroline Jenkins stepped up to the stage to give her welcome speech.
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“Before we begin the charity auction,” she said with a grin, glancing at Mrs. Jones, “I have a special announcement to
make.”
Her tone turned jubilant.
“My son, Kyle, is soon to be engaged to Miss Mia Jones of the Jones family! Tonight, I will bid on the most expensive
piece of jewelry to give to my future daughter–in–law as a welcome gift!”
Applause burst out across the room.
All eyes turned to Kyle and Mia, and the wave of congratulations began.
The Jones and Jackson families beamed with joy.
Mia looked as if she might burst into happy tears.
Only Kyle stood frozen, his mind buzzing.
When had he ever agreed to get engaged to Mia?
This was insane*!
At the entrance of the ballroom…
A woman stood tall in a dark red sheer gown with a flowing train. Her long hair shimmered like silk, and her makeup
was cold yet stunning.
She was slender and graceful, every step a mesmerizing sway. The red silk ribbons twining around her arms and trailing
from her gown fluttered like blood mist in the air.
She was breathtaking.
So beautiful that the roomful of socialites and heiresses dimmed in comparison.
So beautiful…
she carried the air of vengeance.
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Chapter 21 Charity Gala
“Candice!”
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Chapter 22 If This Were Ancient Times, You’d Have to Kneel and Serve Me
