Ava left the mansion early that morning, dressed simply but elegantly. She told her mother she was going to the library. The lie slipped smoothly, the way a queen commands her servants.
Her chauffeur drove her to the city center. Instead of entering the library, she walked toward the rooftop café next to it. Ethan Wade waited there with a cup of untouched coffee, his gaze already fixed on her as if he knew every step she had taken.
"You came earlier than I expected," he said while leaning back casually. His calmness was a careful disguise.
Ava sat opposite him, posture graceful and controlled. She didn't waste time with polite words.
"I need your help to destroy the Hart family," she said.
Ethan raised an eyebrow."No hesitation. I like that."
The city breeze brushed her hair away from her face. Ethan's eyes lingered there a little too long, searching for weakness… and finding none.
"What do you want in return?" Ava asked, voice steady.
His fingers tapped lightly on the table."I want the Hart family's biggest project. Their access to government lands. You will open the gate from inside."
Ava nodded."Done."
He smirked slightly, a shadow of amusement in his eyes."Most girls your age ask for flowers and love in exchange for partnership."
Ava held his stare."I died once because I asked for love. It was the biggest mistake of my life."
Silence settled.Ethan understood without needing her thoughts.She was made of something sharper now.
He placed a small device on the table.A tiny silver USB chip.
"This contains details about Liam Hart's illegal accounts. Use it wisely. If leaked correctly, the Hart reputation collapses."
Ava picked it up delicately.A weapon disguised as data.
"I will handle the timing," she assured.
Ethan leaned forward slightly."Just remember this Ava Cole. When you cut enemies, blood always spills."
Her body stiffened at the word.Blood.
A flash of drowning darkness gripped her chest.Her lungs froze.Her fingers trembled.
Ethan noticed.
"A trauma?"His tone changed. Less mocking. More curious.
Ava exhaled slowly and regained her composure."It will not stop me."
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully."Good. Because there is one more thing you must do."
"What?"
"You need to stay engaged with Liam… until he loses everything."
It tasted like poison.But revenge required patience.She nodded.
Ethan stood up as if the conversation was already complete.
"You and I," he said while buttoning his coat,"are going to ruin this country's strongest families."
Ava rose as well, her shadow merging with his on the ground.
"No," she corrected softly, her voice dangerous and calm,"I will ruin them. You are simply holding the torch."
For the first time, Ethan's smile wasn't a threatIt was approval.
"Then burn them beautifully."
He brushed past her and walked toward the elevator.No goodbye.No turning back.
Ava watched him disappear, her pulse steadying.
This alliance wasn't built on trustIt was built on shared destruction
The perfect foundation
Tonight, she would begin phase one.Expose one dirty secret.Just enough to make cracks appear.Cracks that would eventually collapse empires.
She walked out of the café, the USB cold in her pocket.
Her second life had finally taken shape.Not as a victim
As the storm coming for them all.