The days following Anya's successful medical intervention and the establishment of her alliance with Kaius were a period of intense preparation. The Thorne Estate transformed into a hive of activity, preparing for the Charity Art Gala—Anya's strategic cover event. The tension was palpable, driven by Anya's calculated demands and Lydia Thorne's volcanic resentment.
Anya faced her sister-in-law across a massive mahogany table strewn with event plans and floral samples. Lydia, tasked by Kaius with assisting Anya, treated the process as a form of social torture.
"The theme is 'Silent Elegance,'" Anya stated calmly, adjusting the layout of the gallery space. "We will feature minimal lighting on the art, forcing guests to move closer and speak softly. This will highlight the acoustics."
Lydia sneered, running a manicured finger over a velvet invitation. "Silent Elegance? How utterly boring. It sounds like a funeral. And why are we featuring that dreadful, new anonymous artist, Xiao? Their work is overrated, and the bidding price is insulting."
Anya merely smiled faintly. "Xiao's work, Miss Thorne, commands attention, and attention is what draws the right kind of bidder. I've already secured two original, authenticated pieces for the centerpiece display. Furthermore, I've personally requested the catering team use a specific, high-frequency sonic humidifier near the north wing's display. It keeps the silk draperies fresh."
Lydia huffed, uninterested in the technical details, unaware that Anya was designing a sophisticated surveillance network. The subtle humidifier was the perfect shield for a low-frequency listening device to capture private conversations in the crowded north wing. The acoustics were designed to amplify whispers near the display.
"Fine," Lydia snapped. "But I am inviting my fiancé and my own circle. I need to make sure my brand gets exposure, not just your dusty antique tastes. I'm inviting Mr. Marcus Vayne."
Anya's internal strategic analysis flared. Marcus Vayne—wealthy heir, Kaius's lifelong rival, and a known high-roller in illicit investment circles. His presence was a bonus. If the Shadow Syndicate was sending an operative, Vayne's circle was the most likely connection point.
"Of course, Miss Thorne," Anya replied sweetly. "Mr. Vayne has impeccable taste. Please, make sure he knows I'm especially interested in his opinion on the security features we've installed to protect the artwork." This was a subtle signal to Kaius to prioritize surveillance on Vayne.
In the hours leading up to the gala, Kaius reviewed the final security arrangements with Anya in his study. The atmosphere was professional, yet charged with their unspoken, secret alliance.
"Commander Stone's team has identified two known Goliath Financial operatives who have secured tickets to the event through proxies," Kaius reported, his eyes hard. "They will be the prime targets for your listening device. The device is currently installed in the humidifier, as you requested."
He looked at Anya, suspicion warring with admiration. "You requested a low-profile device specifically because a high-profile one would be noticed by Trent's team when they were installing the firewall. You predicted this level of surveillance. How?"
Anya lowered her gaze, falling back on her best cover. "My grandmother, Mr. Thorne, always said that enemies follow patterns. If you attack a man's family, he hides his wife. If you attack a man's pride, he tries to frame you. The Shadow Syndicate operates on pure, predictable power dynamics. They will not risk their top agents; they will use two low-level mules to gather information."
Kaius accepted the logic, but the simplicity of her strategic insight unnerved him. "You will wear an encrypted comm piece. Stone will be watching you constantly. Do not break cover, do not engage the targets directly, and absolutely do not let Vayne near you. He's trouble."
"Understood, Mr. Thorne," Anya confirmed, the subtext clear: I will obey the mission parameters, but I am the one running the operation.
The Gala was a study in cold, modern glamour. High-society figures filled the Thorne Estate, all dressed in black and silver, the air thick with whispered gossip about the sudden marriage and the Matriarch's surprising recovery.
Anya made her entrance, transforming the timid bride into the elegant, reserved CEO's Wife. She wore a custom-designed gown that was simple but perfectly tailored, paired with her ever-present glasses. She moved with a newly acquired grace, the residual effects of the Qi-Nourishing Tincture giving her subtle confidence.
Lydia, furious that Anya had managed to look chic despite her best efforts, introduced her to the targets with malicious glee.
"Anya, darling, this is Mr. Alastair Kent and Mr. Derek Hughes—they represent the esteemed 'Goliath Financial' tonight. They're here to acquire some, ah, unique assets," Lydia purred, giving Anya a knowing look. "They're also excellent judges of security and worth."
Anya played the part of the meek but fascinated art lover. She guided them straight to the north wing—the surveillance zone.
"Gentlemen, I am so delighted you are here. My husband and I are deeply committed to art preservation," Anya said softly. "The Xiao display is our most precious, most heavily secured collection tonight. I am especially worried about the authentication of the frames—they are old and brittle, but contain hidden layers of data."
The words security, Xiao, and hidden layers of data were Anya's subtle hooks.
Kent and Hughes immediately focused on the Xiao display, moving closer to the low-frequency humidifier (the listening device). Their hushed conversation was now being relayed directly to Commander Stone's encrypted receiver.
The operation hit a critical snag when Marcus Vayne swaggered over, exuding effortless charm and entitlement.
"Mrs. Thorne," Vayne purred, taking Anya's hand with smooth confidence and completely ignoring Kaius, who was watching from across the room. "The notorious Kaius Thorne married the wrong woman. You are far too intriguing to be hidden away."
Vayne, a natural disrupter, pulled Anya away from the surveillance zone, instantly breaking her cover.
"Mr. Vayne, please, I must attend to my duties," Anya insisted, trying to regain control.
"Your duties are to be beautiful and captivating," Vayne countered, his eyes raking over her with genuine, predatory interest. "Tell me, Mrs. Thorne—is it true that you were behind the magnificent Xiao acquisition? I hear the artist is as elusive as their style is brilliant."
Anya realized she couldn't simply dismiss Vayne; he was a potential ally or a grave threat. She used her Xiao cover to engage him.
"Xiao's talent is in recognizing hidden beauty, Mr. Vayne. Not just in art, but in people," Anya murmured, giving him a guarded, challenging look. "They are said to despise the art world's obsession with surface value."
Vayne leaned in, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "I despise surface value too, Anya. I see the intelligence behind those glasses, the steel beneath the velvet. I see the hidden power. And I know Kaius Thorne doesn't appreciate half of what he possesses."
Across the room, Kaius's jaw tightened. He saw his rival making a blatant pass at his wife, pulling her into a dangerous game. It was a direct insult, and more importantly, it was jeopardizing the mission.
He immediately strode across the floor, his presence a dark, overwhelming force. He didn't speak. He simply placed a firm, possessive hand on the small of Anya's back, pulling her instantly and possessively against his side.
"Vayne," Kaius said, his voice dangerously low, his eyes locked on his rival. "My wife was just telling me about a certain investment in the north wing. Perhaps you and I should discuss it."
The sudden, possessive public display was breathtakingly effective. It instantly signaled ownership and alliance. Anya leaned into Kaius's touch, fulfilling the public romantic façade flawlessly. The CEO and his wife were united.
As Kaius steered Vayne and Anya back toward the north wing, Commander Stone's encrypted message flashed on Kaius's personal watch: Targets confirmed discussing an asset transfer via the Swiss bank tomorrow. Mission successful.
Anya smiled inwardly. The trap had worked, despite Vayne's interference. She had secured the intelligence, and Kaius, driven by jealousy and strategic necessity, had just publicly solidified the image of their love-to-hate alliance.