Angela took a deep breath as she stepped out of the bathroom, her tears wiped away but the fiery determination in her eyes unmistakable. If they thought she was a fool who would bow her head and suffer in silence, they were gravely mistaken. She wasn't the same naïve girl they had manipulated and discarded. Tonight, she would make them regret every ounce of pain they had inflicted on her.
The hall was filled with the soft hum of classical music and the clinking of champagne glasses as the two families mingled, their faces glowing with smug satisfaction. Angela's lips curled into a bitter smile as she scanned the crowd. The Brad and Vanghue families stood together at the center of attention, exuding an air of pretentious unity. Brad's hand rested on Lilian's waist, a gesture that made Angela's stomach churn with disgust.
"Let the games begin," Angela muttered under her breath.
She approached one of the waiters carrying a tray of champagne glasses, her steps graceful and deliberate. Picking up a glass, she downed it in one swift motion, the bubbles burning her throat and steeling her resolve.
Angela's first target was Carlyle, Brad's mother. The woman was laughing loudly, her shrill voice carrying across the room as she boasted about her son's "perfect" fiancée. Angela approached her with a warm smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Mrs. Brad," Angela said sweetly, her tone dripping with mock sincerity. "It's been so long. You look… radiant tonight."
Carlyle's laughter faltered as she turned to face Angela, her smile freezing in place. "Angela, dear. What a… surprise to see you here."
"Surprise? Oh, Mrs. Brad, I wouldn't miss this for the world," Angela replied, her voice saccharine. "After all, it's not every day that a man proposes to one woman while still being engaged to another. How progressive of Brad."
The room around them seemed to go silent as heads turned, Angela's words cutting through the festive atmosphere like a knife. Carlyle's face flushed red, her composure slipping as she stammered for a response.
Angela didn't wait for one. She turned to Lilian, her stepsister, who was standing just a few feet away. Lilian's expression was a mix of shock and fury, her perfect façade cracking under the pressure.
"Lilian," Angela said, her voice cool and measured. "You look stunning tonight. But then again, you've always been good at taking things that don't belong to you."
Lilian's jaw tightened, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "Angela, I don't know what you're trying to imply, but this is neither the time nor the place for your dramatics."
"Oh, I think it's the perfect time and place," Angela shot back, her voice rising. "The perfect time to remind everyone of the truth. That you, Lilian, are nothing more than a thief who stole my fiancé, my dignity, and my trust."
Gasps rippled through the crowd as Angela's words hung in the air, the tension in the room palpable. Brad stepped forward, his face a mask of anger and embarrassment.
"Angela, that's enough," he said sharply. "You're making a scene."
"A scene? Oh, Brad, this isn't a scene. This is the truth. And if you can't handle it, maybe you shouldn't have betrayed the woman who loved you with all her heart."
Angela's voice cracked slightly, but she didn't let it deter her. She was done playing the victim.
She reached into her clutch and pulled out the engagement ring Brad had given her, holding it up for everyone to see. "This ring," she said, her voice steady, "was supposed to symbolize love and commitment. But now, it's nothing more than a reminder of your lies and betrayal."
With that, Angela threw the ring at Brad's feet, the sound of it hitting the marble floor echoing through the room. The crowd watched in stunned silence as Angela turned her attention back to Lilian.
"You can have him," Angela said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Both of you deserve each other. But don't think for a second that I'm walking away quietly. This isn't over."
Before anyone could stop her, Angela grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and poured it over Lilian's head, the liquid soaking her perfectly styled hair and expensive gown.
Lilian let out a shriek, her composure completely shattered as she stood frozen in shock. Brad moved to console her, but Angela was already walking away, her head held high and a triumphant smile on her face.
As she exited the hall, the whispers and murmurs of the guests followed her, their eyes wide with disbelief. Angela didn't care. For the first time in a long time, she felt free.
Unbeknownst to her, a pair of piercing gray eyes watched her every move from the shadows, a small smirk playing on Enzo Lorenzo's lips. "Interesting," he murmured to himself, his curiosity about Angela growing with each passing moment.
The moment Angela stormed out of the hall, the atmosphere inside lingered in a stunned silence. But far in the shadows, away from the prying eyes of the crowd, Enzo Lorenzo stood with his arms crossed, his sharp features partially hidden by the dim light. His piercing gray eyes were fixed on Angela's retreating figure, a flicker of both amusement and irritation dancing within them.
Enzo had come to the introduction ceremony with a calculated plan in mind, one that required subtlety and precision. Yet, this fiery woman had swept in like a storm, unraveling years of careful manipulation with a few scathing words and a champagne-soaked spectacle. Her audacity was both infuriating and… intriguing.
Before Enzo could fully process his thoughts, a shadowy figure appeared beside him, blending seamlessly into the darkness. Carlos, his trusted right-hand man, leaned in and whispered, "Boss, should we proceed as planned?"
Enzo's gaze lingered on Angela's back as she disappeared through the grand doors. His lips curved into a slow, calculating smile, one that sent an involuntary shiver down Carlos's spine. It was a smile Carlos had come to recognize—a dangerous one that meant his boss was devising something far more elaborate than the original plan.
"No," Enzo replied, his deep voice carrying an air of authority. "Not yet. I think I've found the perfect way to get things done."
Carlos furrowed his brow, his unease growing as he observed the glint in Enzo's eyes. He had worked with Enzo for years, long enough to know when the man was planning something sinister. But even after all this time, Carlos couldn't fully decipher the maze of his boss's mind.
"Understood, boss," Carlos said, masking his apprehension. Without another word, he melted back into the shadows, disappearing as swiftly as he had come.
Left alone, Enzo chuckled softly to himself, his gaze returning to where Angela had been moments ago. The woman was a wildfire, unpredictable and destructive, yet undeniably captivating. He had encountered many people in his life, but few who dared to challenge the established order so boldly.
"Angela, huh?" he murmured, the name rolling off his tongue like a forbidden melody. His smirk widened, taking on an almost predatory edge. "You've ruined my plans tonight, but I have to admit... you've made things far more interesting. I hope you're prepared, Angela. Because now, you've caught my attention."
The room around him buzzed faintly as the guests tried to recover from the chaos Angela had left in her wake, but Enzo was no longer paying attention to them. His mind was already weaving a new strategy, one that revolved around the fiery woman who had just upended his evening.
"Let the game begin," Enzo whispered, his voice low and filled with wicked promise.