I swirled the champagne in my glass, my lips curling into a smirk.
Ava was watching me—panicking.
Good.
She thought she was the only one who could set traps? That I would let history repeat itself?
I stepped gracefully across the ballroom, every movement deliberate, drawing attention not through scandal, but through power.
"Miss Jing."
I turned, meeting the curious eyes of an elderly woman in an emerald gown—Madam He, one of the top socialites and a known gossip queen.
Perfect.
I smiled warmly. "Madam He, it's been too long. You're as elegant as ever."
The woman preened under the compliment. "My dear Lisa, you've changed! More… refined."
That was the effect I wanted. The start of my reputation shift.
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice just enough to appear conspiratorial. "Madam He, did you know? I overheard something fascinating earlier."
The woman's eyes gleamed with interest. "Oh?"
I sighed, shaking my head slightly. "I shouldn't say… But it's about my dear sister, Ava."
Hook.
Madam He gasped. "Ava?"
I pretended to hesitate, then leaned in just a little more. "I heard that someone tampered with my dress tonight. Can you believe it? If it had gone wrong, I would have been completely… humiliated."
Madam He's eyes widened in outrage. "Who would do such a thing?"
I gave a delicate sigh. "I don't want to assume… but someone mentioned seeing Ava's personal maid near my dressing room."
Madam He gasped loudly, immediately turning to whisper to the woman beside her.
And just like that…
The rumors began.
Ava had ruined my name in my past life by spreading lies. Now, I was using the truth—the very thing she did—to turn people against her.
Let's see how she handles this.
Damon's First Move
From the second-floor balcony, Damon watched Lisa with mild amusement.
She was playing the game.
And playing it well.
Caleb returned, giving a small nod. "The hacker has been subdued. He's talking."
Damon barely reacted, his focus still on Lisa. "And?"
Caleb hesitated. "Sir, I also looked into Lisa Jing's history."
That got Damon's attention. He turned slightly, motioning for Caleb to continue.
"She was always known as spoiled and reckless," Caleb said. "Unruly, uneducated, embarrassing to the Jing family's name. But…"
Damon raised an eyebrow. "But?"
Caleb's voice dropped lower. "She's changed. Drastically. Her mannerisms, her speech, her control over situations. It's as if she's an entirely different person."
Damon swirled his drink once, his mind working quickly.
Lisa Jing…
What exactly had happened to her?
Daniel let out a low chuckle. "You look interested, Damon."
Damon smirked. "Maybe I am."
Then, without warning, he moved.
Ava was struggling to keep her expression calm.
Lisa was turning people against her.
The whispers, the suspicious glances—it was happening so fast.
She had to act. Now.
She grabbed a passing waiter and whispered, "Go to the back. Tell them to prepare the special drink."
The waiter hesitated. "Are you sure, Miss Ava?"
Ava's fingers dug into her gown. "Do it. Now."
The drugged drink—the same one she had used in the past to ruin Lisa's reputation.
This time, she would make sure Lisa was destroyed.
I was about to continue my subtle manipulations when a deep voice interrupted me.
"Miss Jing."
I turned.
Damon Zichen stood right in front of me.
The entire ballroom stilled.
The whispers began immediately.
"Why is Damon talking to Lisa?"
"Is she actually important now?"
"Wait… is he interested in her?"
I smiled smoothly. "Mr. Zichen."
Damon watched me closely, his expression unreadable. Then, in a move that shocked everyone, he extended his hand.
"Dance with me."
Ava froze.
Zhang Gary's face darkened.
And me?
I just smirked.
I slipped my hand into his. "It would be my pleasure."
As we stepped onto the dance floor, I felt the weight of everyone's eyes on us.
But I didn't care.
Because in this moment, one thing was clear.
Damon was now playing my game.