~Serena's POV~
"Are you out of your mind? You just poured champagne on a five-thousand-dollar gown, and now you are telling me it's a mistake you bitch!"
The slap came so fast. Before I could dodge it. My head snapped to the side. I clutched the empty tray tight, keeping my eyes down, also keeping my face blank.
"l'm sorry, Mrs. Chen," my voice was small. Like a whisper. This was exactly what they expected from a lowly waitress at the Sterling charity Gala.
"Sorry? Sorry don't fix my dress, you idiot.
You're lucky I don't have you arrested."
I bowed my head lower, letting my hair fall over my face. Good. This was what I really wanted from them. Let them think l'm weak.
But inside, I was smiling.
Because in five minutes, when Mrs. Chen returned to her table, she'd find her purse missing.
And the USB drive I'd just planted in Damien Sterling's coat pocket would start uploading every file on his private server.
I straightened up, another apology, and then disappeared into the crowd.
The marble floors clicked beneath my heels as I weaved through the guests. Crystal chandeliers sparkled, casting golden light on women dripping in diamonds and some men discussing millionaire deals.
This world, it used to be mine. Once.
Five years ago, I wore those diamonds. Five years ago, I attended parties like this one on my father's arm.
But now, I served drinks and cleaned up all the messes.
"Miss! Another glass of champagne over here!"
I turned, forcing a smile. "Of course, sir. On it."
A blading man in his fifties held out his empty glass. I recognized him. Senator Blackwell. One of the men who testified against my father at the trial.
"You look familiar," he said. "Do I know you?"
My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my face neutral. "I don't think so, sir. I just have one of those familar faces."
"Hmm." He studied me for another second before waving me away. "Well, hurry up with that champagne."
"Right away."
I walked toward the bar, keeping both my hands steady even though my pulse raced. That was close. Very close. I'd changed my appearance, dyed my hair darker, lost weight, wore colored contacts…but some people had sharp memories.
I couldn't afford to be recognized. Not yet.
"Over here."
I glanced to my left. Another server, a young guy named Marco, gestured from behind a pillar.
"What?" I hissed, stepping closer to him.
"Did you get it?" he asked, his voice low. "The access card?"
I reached into my apron pocket and pulled out a thin plastic card. "Third floor security clearance. Lifted it from Sterling head of security ten minutes ago."
Marco was shocked. "Are you insane?. What if they catch you…"
"They won't." I kept the card back into my pocket. "Did you plant the devices in the east wing?"
"Yeah, all three listening bugs are active. But Serena, are you really sure about this? Because Damien Sterling isn't someone you want to mess with."
I leaned closer, my voice dropping to ice.
"Damien Sterling destroyed my life. He destroyed my family. So yes, Marco, I'm sure about this."
He swallowed and nodded. "Just… be careful."
"Careful doesn't get revenge."
I turned and headed back into the main hall, my mind already moving to the next step. The USB drive would give me access to Sterling's financial records, but I needed more. I needed something personal. Something that would ruin him the way he runied me.
My father didn't deserve to die in prison. He didn't deserve to be branded a criminal while Damien Sterling walked free, celebrated as a hero.
But the world didn't care about truth. It cared about power. And right now, Sterling had all of it.
Not for long.
I passed through the crowd again, my eyes already scanning for my next target. There…a woman in a red dress, one of Sterling's board members. l'd seen her earlier, drunk and loud, waving her phone around.
"Excuse me, ma'am," I said, approaching with a tray of champagne. "Would you like another glass?"
"Oh, yes! Thank you, dear." She grabbed a glass and took a long sip. "These parties are exhausting. All the small talk, all the fake smiles."
"I can imagine," I said sweetly, glancing at her purse on the table beside her. "Must be difficult being in such high demand."
"You have no idea." She laughed, turning to talk to someone else.
I set down the tray gently, pretending to adjust the glasses, and slipped my hand into her purse. My fingers closed around her phone. I pulled it out, swiped it open…no password, perfect, and quickly forwarded her recent emails to my encrypted account.
Ten seconds. That's all it took me.
Immediately i dropped the phone back, she turned to me. But then, I already dropped the phone into her purse and picked up my tray, moving on before anyone noticed.
This was what I'd become. A thief. A liar. A ghost haunting the edges of their world.
But I didn't care. They took everything from me.
My father. My family's reputation. My future.
Now, I'd take every damn thing from them.
When I reached the hallway near the grand staircase and paused, pretending to fix my shoe.
A massive portrait hung on the wall…the Sterling family, all polished smiles and expensive suits.
Damien stood in the center, tall and commanding his dark eyes staring out like he owned the world.
I stared back, my jaw clenched.
I'm coming for you, I thought. Every lie you told, every life you ruined…I'll make you pay for all of it.
And then, a sudden dizziness hit me suddenly, I quickly rested my the wall to steady myself. My vision blurred for a moment, my breath catching in my throat.
Not now. Not here.
I closed my eyes, forcing myself to breathe slowly.
The dizziness passed after a few seconds, leaving behind a dull ache in my chest.
I couldn't afford to be weak. Not tonight.
I pushed off the wall and continue down the hallway, my steps quick and purposeful.
Sterling's private study was on the third floor, far away from the party. If I could get inside there, I could access his personal computer, find the files he kept hidden from the world.
The files that would prove my father's innocence.
I reached the staircase and glanced around. No one was there. No one was watching. Good.
I slipped off my heels and started climbing. My bare feet were silent on the marble steps. The third floor was quieter, darker. Most of the guests stayed downstairs, mingling and drinking.
Just as i finally reached the top and pulled out the stolen access card. Sterling's study was at the end of the hall, behind a heavy wooden door.
I swiped the card against the reader. A soft beep, and the lock clicked open.
My heart pounded as I pushed the door open, stepping inside.
And then I heard it.
A child's scream.