The game had officially begun.
As I descended the balcony stairs, I could feel it—Ava's burning gaze.
As I left the house they immediately followed in another car. Those mother and daughter pair "hmmm I smirked
Good. Let her watch.
The whispers in the ballroom had already shifted. A moment ago, they had mocked me, but now?
"Did you see that? Lisa Jing just spoke to Damon Zichen."
"And he actually responded."
"Wasn't she supposed to be an idiot?"
"Maybe the rumors were exaggerated… she looked so confident."
I smirked, gliding through the crowd as if I hadn't just shaken the foundation of this entire party.
Then—
"Lisa."
I stopped. Here she comes.
Ava's voice was as sweet as honey, but I knew the poison lurking underneath. I turned, meeting her wide, innocent gaze—an act she had perfected over the years.
Behind her stood Zhang Gary, my ex-fiancé. He didn't look pleased.
"Lisa," Ava repeated, stepping closer, her delicate gown swaying. "I was so worried when you disappeared from the party. Are you feeling alright?"
The act. Always the act.
I chuckled, tilting my head. "Oh, Ava. You worry so much."
Her smile froze for a fraction of a second before she recovered. "Of course I do. You're my little sister."
I nearly laughed out loud.
Little sister?
The same woman who had murdered me in my past life?
The same woman who had stolen my fiancé?
The same woman who had set me up for humiliation at this very party?
I looked over at Zhang Gary. His expression was tight, like he was struggling with something. Ah, how predictable.
"You were with Mr. Zichen just now," Ava said lightly, her eyes darting to the balcony. "Did something happen?"
She was fishing.
She wanted to know why Damon had even acknowledged me.
I smiled sweetly. "Nothing much. We were just discussing some… business."
Ava stiffened. Business?
Everyone knew that Damon Zichen didn't waste time on insignificant people. And for a so-called "spoiled, uneducated" girl like me to be discussing business with him?
It didn't add up.
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice just for Ava to hear. "By the way, dear sister… I'd be careful if I were you. I hear the Zichen family doesn't like people who tamper with other people's things."
Her eyes widened slightly.
She knew what I was talking about.
In my past life, she had tampered with my dress, making it tear at the worst possible moment. And then, she had someone slip a drug into my drink, causing me to stumble and fall—exposing myself in front of the entire ballroom.
That was how my public humiliation began.
But tonight?
I am ahead of her.
Ava's lips pressed together before she forced a laugh. "Lisa, what are you talking about?"
I just smiled and walked away.
Let her panic.