Jake remained where he was, his thoughts a tangled mess.
When did everything start going wrong?
Just moments ago, everything had seemed fine. No real arguments, no serious issues. And then, all of a sudden—breakup, money, and public humiliation.
Elena's face flashed through his mind.
She was in the hospital…
That had to be the reason she was so angry.
Yes, he hadn't gone to see her.
Yes, he hadn't even called to ask how she was doing.
But was that really worth making such a scene?
Hospitals make people overly emotional, Jake reasoned with himself. Once she's fully recovered, she'll calm down.
I'll leave for now, he decided. I'll call her later and make things right.
After all, everything she said today was clearly spoken in anger.
His gaze drifted toward Elena again.
She looked beautiful. Unusually so.
That thought eased his irritation.
Maybe I should pay her more attention, he thought generously. Call her more. Meet her more.
That should be enough to fix everything.
Satisfied with his own flawless logic, Jake took one last look at Elena, gathered his belongings, and stood up to leave.
"Sir."
The waiter's voice stopped him.
"You haven't paid the bill yet."
The café fell silent.
Every eye turned toward him.
Heat rushed to Jake's face—embarrassment mixed with irritation.
She really went too far, he thought bitterly. Saying all of that in front of everyone.
Grinding his teeth, he took the bill.
The moment he saw the amount, his chest tightened painfully.
His heart practically bled.
Still, under the weight of countless stares, he paid without a word.
It's fine, he reassured himself. Once Elena calms down, I'll take all this money back.
Double, if necessary.
Letting out a long breath, Jake straightened his back and walked out of the café—
already planning the call that would "fix everything,"
completely unaware that this time, there would be no second chance.
...
Starlight Entertainment Company
Elena's taxi came to a smooth stop in front of the towering building.
She paid the driver, stepped out, and lifted her gaze.
The glass façade of Starlight Entertainment reflected the sky like a mirror—cold, polished, and arrogant. The massive logo gleamed above the entrance, a silent declaration of power and ambition. This was a place where dreams were sold… and crushed just as easily.
Elena's expression remained calm as she walked inside.
The moment she entered, the air shifted.
Behind the reception desk, a young woman froze.
She's here?
And looking like that?
Elena was clearly exhausted—pale, quiet, restrained—but somehow, that only made her beauty sharper. Effortless. Untouchable.
Jealousy crawled up the receptionist's spine.
The receptionist's gaze lingered on Elena a second too long—
long enough for jealousy to twist into bitterness.
She laughed softly, deliberately loud.
"Wow," she said mockingly,
"some people really believe that just because they look a little pretty, the world should roll out a red carpet for them."
She leaned closer to her colleague.
"Years of hard work don't matter anymore, huh?" she sneered.
"Just show up looking delicate and exhausted, and suddenly you think you're some top-tier celebrity."
The second girl clicked her tongue, eyes openly scanning Elena's flawless face.
"Seriously," she added with fake sympathy,
"beauty like that is dangerous. It makes people forget their place."
Her lips curved cruelly.
"Too bad looks alone don't last forever. Especially in this industry."
A short laugh followed.
"Walking in here like that… honestly, she probably thinks everyone's staring out of admiration."
Both of them laughed quietly—
because admitting the truth
—that everyone was staring—
would have hurt too much.
Elena stopped.
Slowly, she turned toward them.
Her eyes were calm. Too calm.
She walked over, heels clicking softly against the marble floor, stopping right in front of the desk.
Then she smiled.
A small, lazy smile.
"You're right," Elena said lightly. "Some people really do work for years and still get nowhere."
Her gaze swept over both of them—unhurried, dismissive.
"And that," she continued coolly, "has nothing to do with luck."
The smile deepened.
"It's just that not everyone is born with beauty."
The two girls stiffened.
"So don't be jealous," Elena added casually. "Get used to it."
She tilted her head.
"You'll be seeing this face a lot."
Before either of them could react—
Slap.
Elena's hand moved swiftly.
One sharp slap landed across the first girl's face.
The room went silent.
Before the shock could settle—
Slap.
The second girl froze as Elena turned and delivered the same crisp strike.
Elena withdrew her hand, unbothered, as if she had merely brushed dust aside.
"That," she said calmly, "was for your mouths."
Her eyes turned cold.
"And this—"
She leaned in slightly, voice low and cutting.
"—is your reminder to learn where you stand."
Straightening, Elena turned away, her posture elegant and unshaken.
Without sparing them another glance, she walked deeper into the company—
leaving behind stunned faces, burning cheeks. Elena walked straight into Martha's cabin, not bothering to knock.
Martha looked up.
For a split second, naked anger and deep-rooted hatred flickered in her eyes.
Elena noticed it immediately.
A slow, amused smile appeared on her lips.
Looks like last night's dose still wasn't enough, she thought lazily.
Without asking for permission, Elena pulled out the chair and sat down, crossing her legs calmly.
Martha's jaw tightened.
"Elena," she said coldly, "I've arranged the money."
Elena lifted her eyes, unimpressed.
"But," Martha continued, her voice sharpening, "the money isn't with me."
Elena's smile didn't fade.
"Then where is it?" she asked lightly.
Martha paused for a brief moment before replying,
"My brother has it. In cash."
Her gaze hardened.
"You'll have to go there yourself to collect it."
The room fell silent.
Elena leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers slowly against the armrest. "So," Elena said lightly, "you want me to do the last bit of work too?" Her gaze locked onto Martha's. Elena lifted her eyes.
Martha stiffened.
That gaze—cold, calm, utterly indifferent—felt like being locked onto by a predator. No anger. No threat. Just quiet certainty.
For a split second, Martha forgot how to breathe.
Elena leaned back slightly, her lips curving faintly.
"So," she said softly, "my money is with your brother. In cash."
Martha nodded quickly. "Y-yes. You'll have to go there to collect it."
Elena stood.
"I'll go," she replied calmly.
Her eyes met Martha's one last time.
Since when did Elena's eyes become so terrifying?
Martha thought. Elena paused and glanced back.
"Martha, you're coming with me."
Martha hesitated. If I say no now, it'll look wrong… I can always slip away later.
She smiled. "Fine. I'll come."
Elena smiled too.
She already knew every thought running through Martha's mind—
yet said nothing.
Some betrayals didn't need words.
They just needed time.
And the two of them walked out together—
one planning an escape,
the other already aware of it.
...
All the way there, Elena never slowed down.
Not once did she give Martha the chance to slip away.
Every turn, every step—deliberate.
By the time Martha realized it, they were already standing at the address.
So be it, Martha thought coldly. I'll watch her ruin herself with my own eyes.
She said nothing.
And Elena…
said nothing either—
as if she already knew how this would end.
Elena arrived at Blue Heaven Hotel, the address Martha had given her.
A man stood near the entrance. The moment he saw her, something ugly flashed in his eyes—greed, lust—before disappearing behind a fake smile.
Elena noticed.
Martha noticed too… and stayed silent.
"You must be Ms. Carter," he said. "Mr. Victor Hale is waiting."
Elena nodded and followed him with Martha to Room 202.
The door opened.
She didn't need to see the room to understand—
his intentions were obvious. Dark. Filthy. Predictable.
A faint smile touched her lips.
So this was the game.
Fine.
She stepped inside.
After all, hunters don't fear traps. They walk into them. The moment Elena stepped inside, she took everything in.
Men lounged around the room—some on chairs, some standing—faces rough, eyes shameless. Predators who believed money made them kings.
One man sat at the center.
Victor Hale.
His gaze slid over Elena slowly, crudely, before he turned to Martha with a satisfied grin.
"So this is what you brought for me?"
He chuckled. "Not bad. You really know how to please people."
He waved his hand lazily.
"Don't worry. Your money's confirmed."
Martha smiled, pleased.
Elena watched quietly—then smiled too.
That smile irritated them.
One man scoffed. "Why's she smiling like that?"
Another sneered, "Since you're here, forget about leaving. We brothers will take good care of you."
Martha's fingers clenched.
Why isn't she scared? Why isn't she crying?
A strange unease crept into her chest.
Elena finally spoke, her tone light, almost amused.
"Wow, Martha," she said, glancing at her.
"You took Victor Hale's money… and then brought him straight to me?"
She tilted her head. "What kind of revenge is this? You trapped them beautifully."
Martha froze.
"What are you saying? There's no trap!" she panicked. "She's lying, Mr. Hale!"
Victor Hale frowned, then laughed.
"A trap?" He looked Elena up and down. "From a girl like you?"
Elena laughed softly.
Mocking. Dangerous.
"Oh, Victor," she said gently, "men like you never learn."
She moved.
The first man dropped before he could react.
The second never reached his weapon.
The third collapsed without understanding what hit him.
Elena straightened and looked back at Victor Hale, smiling.
"You should've known," she said calmly.
"When a hunter walks in smiling…
you were never the buyer."
Martha stood frozen, watching in horror.
Only now did she understand—
She hadn't sold Elena to Victor Hale.
She had delivered Victor Hale
to Elena.
Martha slowly looked at Elena.
What about me now…?
Fear finally won. She shrank back, hiding in a corner, knees pulled close—trying to disappear.
Elena saw everything.
She said nothing.
First, she finished what she had started—those men were left groaning on the floor, half-conscious, barely breathing.
Only then did Elena turn.
Step.
Step.
Step.
She stopped in front of Martha.
Slap.
Martha's head snapped to the side.
Before she could even cry, another hit followed—sharp, humiliating, deliberate. Elena didn't rush. She made every moment count.
When Martha finally collapsed, unable to take more, Elena stopped.
She crouched beside her, calm, almost gentle.
"Don't ever," Elena said softly, "pick a fight you can't survive."
Martha sobbed. "I—I'll pay… I swear."
Hands shaking, she unlocked her phone and transferred the money.
"One million," she whispered. "I've paid. Please… let me go. I'll never do this again."
Elena laughed.
Not loud.
Not angry.
Amused.
Then she shoved Martha aside like discarded trash and turned to the men on the floor.
"What you planned for me," Elena said lightly,
"you can do with her."
Their faces drained of color.
Elena smiled faintly.
"Relax. I'm being kind," she said calmly.
"I'm giving all of you the same opportunity… you were so excited to give me."
Her gaze shifted to Martha.
"With her." Elena chuckled softly, almost bored.
"Oh—and one more thing."
She looked at them like they were already dead.
"If you don't do exactly what I said," she shrugged,
"I won't stop beating you until you stop breathing."
She smiled sweetly.
"So… think carefully."
That was enough. They trembled, voices breaking.
"We—we'll do whatever you say… please…"
As they lay on the floor, pain burning through their bodies, one thought echoed in every mind—
Martha.
If she hadn't brought us here…
If she hadn't taken the money…
If she hadn't lied…
Their gazes slowly turned toward her.
Fear replaced anger.
This woman… this nightmare…
She's here because of Martha.
Elena glanced at the broken men on the floor, then calmly looked at Martha.
"By the way," she said lightly,
"whatever happened here… that's on you."
Martha flinched.
"You chose the buyers.
You took the money.
You set the stage."
Elena smiled, voice soft but cutting.
"I just showed up."
She leaned closer.
"So don't look at me like I'm the monster."
Her eyes hardened.
"You opened the door—
they walked in willingly." Martha screamed, panic taking over.
"No! Elena, don't! Please—I won't do anything, I swear!"
Elena finally looked at her.
Her eyes were calm. Merciless.
"If you were in my place," Elena asked quietly,
"would you have let me go?"
Martha froze.
Because she knew the answer.
No.
Her silence was enough.
Regret hit her like a blade—sharp, useless, too late. Elena gave Martha one last look.
No anger.
No pity.
Just a slow, amused smile.
Then she turned around and walked out of the room—
as if everything that had happened inside was nothing more than a dull play.
Behind the closed door, silence screamed.
Elsewhere—
A screen flickered.
Every second of the chaos replayed on CCTV.