"She nodded slowly, the gears in her mind starting to turn. "Okay. So, gather information, pay attention to details, and listen carefully. Got it. What's step three?"
"Step three is the fun part," Teddy said, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Use what you learn to your advantage. Once you have enough information, we'll start planning your next move. But don't worry about that just yet. Focus on the first task, and the rest will follow."
Ariana leaned back against her headboard, her thoughts racing. The idea of gathering intel on her enemies was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. She had never considered herself particularly brave or cunning, but maybe Teddy was right—maybe she had more potential than she realized.
As if sensing her hesitation, Teddy placed a reassuring paw on her hand. "You've got this, Ariana. I know it feels overwhelming, but you're not alone anymore. We're a team now, remember?"
She smiled faintly, squeezing his tiny paw. "Thanks, Teddy. I don't know if I trust this whole system thing yet, but... I trust you."
His wings fluttered excitedly. "Aw, you're gonna make me blush! But seriously, you're stronger than you think. And once you see what the system can do, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it."
"Let's hope so," she said with a determined nod. So, when do we start?"
"Right now!" Teddy declared, leaping into the air. "Your enemies aren't going to wait for you, Ariana. Let's get to work tonight!"
Ariana sat at her vanity, adjusting her earrings while eyeing the dress she'd chosen for the evening. It was an elegant yet understated black gown, perfect for blending into the background while still looking refined. Tonight, she would attend a social gathering where both Lucas and Sophia were expected to appear. It was the perfect opportunity to observe them in their element and gather valuable intel.
Teddy floated behind her, his tiny wings fluttering softly. "You look stunning, darling! Just the right mix of elegance and mystery. Lucas won't even see it coming."
She glanced at him through the mirror, smirking. "That's the plan, isn't it? Blend in, observe, and gather information without drawing too much attention."
"Exactly! You're a natural already," Teddy said, landing gently on the vanity. "Now, remember the key points: watch their interactions, listen for anything suspicious, and most importantly, don't let them rattle you. They thrive on making you feel small."
Ariana nodded, taking a deep breath. "Got it. Let's do this."
The event was held at a luxurious hotel ballroom. Ariana stepped inside, her heels clicking against the marble floor, and immediately scanned the room.
Lucas was standing near the bar, surrounded by a small group of admirers. His confident laugh rang out as he gestured animatedly, clearly enjoying the attention. Not far from him, Sophia was mingling with a cluster of socialites, her every move calculated to draw admiration.
Teddy, hidden in Ariana's clutch, whispered, "There they are, the dynamic duo of deceit. Ready to dive in?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," Ariana murmured, her lips barely moving.
She started with Lucas, positioning herself at a nearby table where she could listen in on his conversation without being noticed. His tone was jovial, but Ariana picked up on the underlying arrogance in his words.
"Of course, the deal went through," Lucas was saying, his voice dripping with self-assurance. "They didn't stand a chance against my negotiating skills. I'll be expanding the project next month, but keep that between us for now."
Ariana frowned slightly. What project? she wondered. She made a mental note to investigate further.
As the night progressed, Ariana shifted her focus to Sophia. Her cousin sister was seated on a plush couch, laughing at something one of her companions had said.
"I mean, can you believe her?" Sophia said, her voice loud enough for Ariana to hear. "She actually thought she could pull off that dress. Some people just don't know their limits."
Ariana clenched her jaw but forced herself to stay calm. Teddy's voice echoed in her mind: Don't let them rattle you.
Sophia's companions laughed, clearly eager to stay on her good side. But as Ariana watched closely, she noticed something interesting—one of the women in Sophia's group seemed less amused than the others. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, and she subtly shifted away from Sophia.
Teddy's whisper broke through Ariana's thoughts. "That one, the one who looks uncomfortable. She could be useful. Pay attention to her interactions with Sophia."
Ariana nodded subtly, keeping her gaze casual as she observed the woman.
As the evening wore on, Ariana's observations began to form a clearer picture. Lucas's arrogance was his greatest weakness. He underestimated everyone around him, assuming they were either allies or beneath him. Sophia, on the other hand, thrived on manipulation and appearances, but not everyone in her circle was as loyal as she seemed to think.
Teddy's voice brought her back to the present. "You're doing great, Ariana. Now, let's wrap this up with a final observation. Try to catch them interacting with each other."
Sure enough, a moment later, Lucas approached Sophia. The two exchanged a brief but tense conversation, their voices too low for Ariana to hear. However, their body language spoke volumes—Lucas looked irritated, while Sophia seemed smug.
"Interesting," Teddy murmured. "There's definitely tension between them. That could be a weakness you can exploit later."
By the time Ariana left the event, she felt a strange sense of accomplishment. She had gathered more information in one evening than she thought possible, and the best part was, neither Lucas nor Sophia had even noticed her.