wn, replaced by the soft hum of the string q

a lion. He truly believed that partnering with Damien was his greatest achievement. He had no idea that in my past life

t for Damien to do it. Tonight, I

y veins. My eyes found Sophia across the room. She was fluttering around the auction display t

ld smile touching my lips. In exactly ten minute

usted watch. It was almost time for

a, da

approaching me. She was a woman who thrived on gossip, her e

ng said, though her eyes were filled with envy. "Th

my voice sweet and perfectly pitched. "And ton

re information, a loud chime

ow commence! Please make your way to the west wing. We have some truly magnificent pieces t

d diamonds. I followed at a leisurely pace, blending into the bac

center, illuminated by a spotlight, sat the Ming vase. Or at least, the replica of it. I had carefu

s as I approached. "I was just admiring your vase. It's so brave of you to

I thought bitterly. In my past life, the auction had been a fake-Victor had arranged for on

, smiling warmly. "

head of security, a burly man named Marc

ho had been loyal to my father, and I had quietly offered him a

flickered and dimmed. A sharp, panicke

p! T

ce of the west wing. Marcus was standing there,

ce flushing red with anger as he pushed through the cr

e room. "But I just caught this man trying to slip out the back door. The vault

of the Ocean was a legendary diamond, worth millions,

sible! No one has been near the vault except-"

rd, my voice trembling with perfectly faked i

Only myself, the head of

s standing by the display table,

, her eyes wide. "Victor

rupted, my voice dripping with false sympathy. "

iter, who was shaking like a leaf. He pulled

s announced. "They were reported missing

take them! Someone paid me to leave the back do

or demanded, steppin

e me the keys and told me to leave

g. "Search everyone! Search the entire house

for the guests to hear. "You can't search our guests.

right. If he insulted his wealthy i

ctor snapped. "And anyone else

rect access," I suggested sweetly. "Just to clear th

in pure terror. "Elena

smile never wavering. "Marcus, please check th

The room was dead silent, three hundred people

e held a velvet pouch. He walked over to Victor

necklace fell onto the black

rowd

a's coat, Mr. Montague," Marcus sai

am. "That's a lie! I didn't put

face a mask of shock and horr

ace. She looked around the room at the judging faces of the e

phia. I... I don't know what to say. If you needed money, you cou

phone, ready to spread the gossip. "I always knew that girl was

ely suppressed rage. He was humiliated. His perfect anniversary p

She fought against them, kicking and screaming.

He was staring at the shatter

ntic struggle, she kicked the leg of the table. The table wobbled, and the "priceless" Mi

orcelain echoed through

a cry of despai

h my hands. "Oh, Victor. That vase was an heirloom

filled with a mixture of fear and confusion. He had lost the diamond necklace (which was fake, though he

night was

man who had murdered me. A cold, sati

he nearby guests to hear. "We can always buy another vase. But we can't buy b

f, flickering second, I saw a hint of suspicion in his eyes. But then he dis

ed, his voice hollow. "Sh

ng my smile behind

bout the scandal, I felt a heavy, p

ned m

d, watching me. He hadn't moved a single muscle during the chaos. He hadn't rushe

nch, a slow, calculating smile playing on his lips. It

hispered in my head

g moment, my chin raised in silent defiance.

et him watch. I

had jus