Meanwhile, at Elaris International Airport Parking Zone – A fleet of matte black vehicles idled in the secluded parking lane. At the center was a heavily modified Rolls-Royce Cullinan, its polished grille and Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament gleaming beneath the terminal lights, flanked by a dozen men in tactical gear. Silent. Alert. Trained.

The rear door clicked open. Sunlight-dimmed by the horizon-glanced off the metal trim and spilled across the man seated inside, gilding his tailored suit in a warm, deceptive glow.

Rael stepped forward, tension radiating from his frame. "We underestimated her, sir. The intel was weak-we only had a single rear-view image to go off. She vanished into the crowd before we could close in."

An oppressive pause followed.

Orion. A ghost in the medical world. Whispers of her brilliance had surfaced only months ago. Rael had spent a small fortune securing even a partial photograph.

Last week, encrypted chatter hinted at her return to Estravia. Knowing the young little master's condition was deteriorating, Leif Vexley had acted swiftly-deploying assets across the airport. Still, she'd slipped right past.

Inside the car, Leif Vexley sat with regal stillness. His face was half-shrouded by the vehicle's shadows. One hand rested lightly on a digital slate, fingers tapping with cold precision.

On that hand, a single silver ring gleamed-its surface catching the low light with an almost hypnotic flicker.

Finally, his voice cut through the silence. Calm. Precise. Dangerous.

"Find her. I don't care what it takes."

Rael straightened. "Understood. There's something else-the young master's vitals dropped again last night."

Leif tilted his head, unmoved. "Noted."

"And... the Hale Group heir's engagement party is being held tonight."

Leif lit a cigarette, the lighter's flare briefly illuminating the contours of his face. Smoke coiled around him like mist over a blade.

"Do I look like I give a damn about the Hale family's celebrations?"

"No, sir. Of course not."

"Take us back." Rael turned to signal the driver-but his earpiece crackled.

"Wait," he said, eyes flicking to his tablet. "New update-Orion's name is on the Hale banquet guest list."

Leif exhaled a thin stream of smoke, his eyes narrowing. "Then we're going to the banquet."

"Right away, sir."

Without fanfare, the convoy peeled away from the curb and rolled into the night.

...

In Elaris, at the Diamond Palace Hotel, part of the Vexley Group.

Raina stepped into the presidential suite on the top floor and quickly tidied up her luggage.

Not long after, her half-sister Mireille Carrington called.

"Raina, you ugly hag! How dare you stand up Jasper and make him waste a trip? You really have no shame!" Mireille's voice was sharp and full of scorn.

Raina lowered her gaze, expression calm and unreadable.

This so-called sister had spent only a few months with her while pregnant-a total fake. Pretending to care, but secretly setting traps, and putting on an angelic act in front of Fenris Carrington. Disgusting.

Mireille asked Jasper to pick her up just to let him see how ugly she really was and humiliate her.

"Well... I don't have time to waste with you. You want your mother's rundown company back, right? Tonight, in the grand hall of Diamond Palace Hotel, Jasper and I will be waiting for you. We're holding your breakup ceremony," Mireille sneered.

"Raina, if you don't show, you'll never get that company back!"

Raina had come back for two reasons: to find her missing son, and to reclaim her mother's company.

Back then, Fenris was in control, but he was an empty suit-no business sense at all. After years of mismanagement, the company was on the brink of collapse.

Still, it was her mother's legacy, and Raina wouldn't let it fall apart.

Her voice held a hint of mockery: "Aren't you afraid that when Jasper sees me, he might change his mind about the breakup?"

Mireille scoffed. "You? Raina, do you still think you're the stunning Carringtons beauty of old? Take a good look in the mirror-you're nothing but a worthless rag now!"

"Oh, and by the way, today's my birthday. Jasper will personally celebrate with me. Raina, just sit back and watch the show!"

She emphasized "personally," clearly flaunting, then hung up arrogantly.

After Raina was sent abroad, Mireille had used some unknown tricks to completely captivate Jasper. Now that the Hale family finally agreed, Mireille was about to marry in.

She wanted everyone to know: only she was the true daughter of the Carrington family.

Only she deserved the title of Elaris' top socialite!

...

About half an hour later, at the Diamond Palace Hotel.

It was Mireille's birthday party, decorated like a dream-pristine white carpets, artificial clouds floating midair, and red rose petals scattered everywhere.

In front of a musical fountain, Mireille wore a pure white gown and diamond-studded heels, looking like a stunning princess from a fairy tale.

Jasper stood beside her in a flashy green suit-his usual tacky style making him look even more ostentatious.

"Mr. Hale and Miss Carrington truly are a perfect match," the guests praised. "I heard Miss Carrington is a medical genius who invented a new drug causing a huge stir!"

"With that, she's truly the perfect white-collar beauty!"

Enjoying the compliments, Mireille held her head high, a proud and elegant smile on her flawless face.

In truth, her "new drug" hadn't passed official trials yet; she had just stirred up some media hype. But Mireille had no intention of exposing the lie herself.

Now, she was the Carrington family's heiress, Jasper was hers, and everything that had once belonged to Raina was hers too.

Smiling politely while chatting with the crowd, Mireille kept glancing past them toward the entrance of the grand hall.

By her estimate, Raina should be arriving soon.

At the hotel entrance meanwhile,

Raina got out of the car. On the giant LED screen of the opposite building, the latest citywide financial news played.

"...Reports say the second young master of the Vexley Group crashed his car speeding at midnight and is currently unconscious. The head of Vexley Group, Leif Vexley, personally denies these rumors..."

Raina instinctively glanced at the screen. A photo of Leif Vexley appeared.

The man was dressed in pure black formalwear. His stunningly handsome face was calm and unreadable. Behind the glasses, his deep eyes looked down on the world like a god.

Strangely...

Though she had never met this man before, Raina felt an odd sense of familiarity.

Shaking her head, she stepped toward the hotel entrance.

She wore loose, casual clothes and tied her long hair into a neat ponytail. A black mask covered her face-an old habit from when she was disfigured. Even though her scars had healed, she still wore it.

Just as she was about to enter, a small chubby child suddenly rushed up and hugged her leg tightly.

***

Raina froze.

If her son were still alive, he would be about this age-this tall. Maybe, like this child, he'd be soft and chubby, cling to adult legs, and snuggle in arms-utterly adorable.

Thinking of her child, her eyes softened.

She knelt down and looked into the child's eyes. For some reason, she felt something stir deep inside.

"Little one, whose kid are you? Did you get lost?" Raina reached out and gently rubbed the child's cheek.

The touch was something she'd never experienced before.

The child's skin was soft, smooth, and fragrant-so irresistibly cute.

Maybe it was just her imagination, but when she spoke, the child hugged her leg tighter, though he remained silent, his big dark eyes fixed on her.

Raina felt a headache coming-though she was a mother, she had almost no experience with children.

"Hey kiddo..." a low, magnetic voice came from behind.

Then a tall, handsome figure appeared in her sight.

The man was dressed in black formalwear, followed by several bodyguards.

For a moment, Raina felt his gaze linger on her-and strangely, she thought he looked familiar.

In a flash, her heart skipped a beat.

No wonder she felt familiar-this was Leif, the head of the Vexley Group!

Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, here he was.

Seems like misfortune never comes alone.

"Still not letting go?" Leif didn't know his identity had been exposed yet. He just lowered his head and looked at the kid clinging to Raina.

No way...

Seriously?

Of all things, could this kid actually be Leif's child?!

Well, just look at the little guy - his features were almost an exact copy of Leif's.

"Rael, take the little master away," Leif said softly.

Alright, no need to guess anymore - she was right.

Rael stepped forward a couple of paces, his face awkward like never before. Raina didn't get it at first, but then she caught on. The kid was still clutching her leg tightly, and no matter how you looked at it, it was a bit inappropriate for a man to touch a woman's thigh so boldly.

"Sorry, miss, but you need to-"

Before Rael could finish, the little kid suddenly let go of Raina's leg and charged right up to Leif. That cherubic face now looked filled with something way beyond his age... a fierce anger.

The kid's small fists clenched tight, silently resisting something.

Leif raised his hand and pushed up his glasses, their lenses flashing white. Beneath them, his deep, abyss-like eyes flickered with a sharp, barely noticeable chill.

"Do I need to say it again? Get in the car." Leif ignored the kid's resistance and ordered coldly.

Father and son stood off for a while. The kid seemed to be holding back, then suddenly, tears burst from his tiny eyes.

Leif was silent for two seconds, like he'd given up. He bent down to pick up the kid, but the boy suddenly darted away.

A few seconds later, Leif straightened back up and fixed his gaze on Raina.

Raina felt the stare crawl under her skin, making her scalp tingle. She was about to find an excuse and leave when Leif acted first - turning around with his people and heading back into the hotel.

Raina let out a quiet breath of relief. On impulse, she glanced at the black car the kid had run toward earlier, then smiled and shook her head.

Just some random kid she'd run into by chance. How could she feel so worried?

Taking a deep breath, she waited until Leif and his group disappeared into the distance before stepping toward the hotel entrance.

But there, a security guard stopped her. "Invitation, please."

"Invitation?"

"Yes. There's a VIP birthday party in the grand hall tonight. Only the wealthy and influential are allowed. You have to show an invitation to get in."

Raina thought for a moment. Mireille had deliberately left out the invitation when she called - obviously waiting here to embarrass her in front of everyone.

The guard grew impatient when she couldn't produce an invite and even tried to shove her out.

Crowds coming and going couldn't help but laugh at Raina.

At tonight's high-society party, Raina's simple look made her stand out - and not in a good way.

She looked up and saw Mireille at the door not far off, arms crossed, wearing a smug grin.

Mireille knew the situation but acted like she was watching a show.

"Seriously? An adult playing these childish games..." Raina muttered under her breath.

She tapped her phone a few times and then casually said, "I don't have an invitation, but what about this?"

On her phone appeared a long purple-and-gold digital card.

The guard froze.

That was... a lifetime VIP card for the Diamond Palace Hotel!

The crowd gasped. The Diamond Palace Hotel was a five-star, and lifetime VIPs were incredibly exclusive - only about ten in the whole country, all huge power players.

No one expected plain-looking Raina to be one of them.

Mireille's face went pale, stunned.

Could this ugly duckling have hooked a big shot? But seriously, with her looks, how?

'That card must be fake!' Mireille thought.

Just then, the guard pulled out a scanner and checked the barcode.

"Beep! Verified!"

The card was legit - Raina really was a lifetime VIP!

"Now, can I come in?" Raina tucked her phone away and asked coolly.

The guard didn't dare stop her anymore and immediately let her through.

At the hotel entrance, Mireille, surrounded by guests, finally noticed Raina approaching with poise and grace.

"Oh my, isn't this my dear sister? You finally decided to show up," Mireille said. Her words instantly drew all eyes to Raina, who became the subject of whispers and pointing.

"So this is the Carrington's eldest daughter? Not bad figure-wise, but what about that face..."

"What face? You saw that ugly photo from five years ago, right? I was scared for days, barely able to eat..."

"She actually dared to come out and show herself? That takes guts, haha..."

Hearing the mockery, Raina acted like she didn't hear a thing, just staring straight at Mireille with a faint, unreadable smile.

"Sis, I'm really glad you came... Jasper and I truly love each other. Don't blame him - it's all my fault. If you want to blame someone, blame me..." Mireille said, eyes reddening, looking pitiful.

Seeing her clumsy performance, Raina wasn't the least bit surprised. She responded coolly, "Don't blame yourself. Jasper is just a toy-whatever your big sister doesn't want, she hands down to you."

Meaning, Jasper was what she didn't want, so she gave him to Mireille.

***

That comment instantly charged the atmosphere, and people's impressions of Raina shifted.

Rumor had it she'd given up after being disfigured, becoming meek. But clearly, that wasn't true.

Mireille hadn't expected Raina to come back so strong. She had no comeback and quickly changed the subject.

"Sis, how's your face healing? I've always worried people abroad would discriminate against you because of your looks."

Sounds like concern, but really it was a jab calling Raina ugly.

Raina stayed silent. Mireille grew bolder, "Sis, it's been years. Aren't you going to take off the mask and let me see?"

The crowd, sensing a spectacle, started chanting:

"Take off the mask! Take off the mask!"

Mireille smirked, feeling even more confident now - once Raina's face was exposed, she'd have her completely underfoot.

Raina raised an eyebrow slightly, voice calm, "You sure you want me to take off my mask... in front of everyone?"

Mireille kept up the act, cooing, "Sis, don't worry, no matter how ugly you are, you're still my sister. I'd never turn my back on you..."

But before she could finish, her voice suddenly cut off.

Not just her - everyone there froze, whispering stopped dead.

Raina lifted her hand and took off the mask.

What came into view wasn't the ugly face everyone expected.

It was a face so stunning, it was impossible to look away.

Despite her casual outfit, her flawless skin and natural beauty shone through - lips red, teeth white, complexion like creamy porcelain.

Plus, her cool, ethereal vibe made her look like a goddess walking among mortals.

Looking at Mireille, who was perfectly made up but nowhere near as striking, it was like night and day.

Just one appearance and Mireille was already losing.

The woman who came expecting to watch Raina's downfall suddenly looked like she'd been struck by lightning, frozen in place.

Then jealousy and fury surged through her.

"This woman was supposed to be disfigured. I remember her ugly face clearly. How is she even more beautiful than before, after all these years?"

"Mireille, is that really Raina? Wasn't she disfigured? Maybe it's a fake..." a provocatively dressed girl nearby whispered.

That was Odessa, Mireille's distant cousin.

A poisonous look flashed in Mireille's eyes, but she kept her usual poise, softly saying, "Odessa, don't talk nonsense. My sister's been recovering abroad and rarely appears, but she's still my only sister - I wouldn't mistake her."

Odessa rolled her eyes and stepped forward. "Recovering? Mireille, you're too kind. Raina got disfigured and got pregnant out of wedlock. If it weren't for your mercy giving her a way out, she'd be dead by now."

She turned to Raina. "Hey, Raina, don't think looking pretty now means you can mess with Mireille. I'm warning you: stop going after Jasper and Mireille. They're the perfect couple! This is their engagement party - if you cause trouble, I'll be the first to come after you!"

The crowd suddenly remembered the family scandal and looked at Raina with amusement.

Raina ignored it all - she wasn't interested in any engagement party. If it weren't for Mireille dangling her mother's company as bait, she wouldn't even be here.

"You deaf or what? Didn't you hear me talking to you?" Odessa snapped as Raina stayed silent.

Angry now, Odessa raised her hand and slapped Raina.

She'd been riding Mireille's coattails these years and never took Raina seriously.

But before her palm hit Raina's face, Raina caught it.

Next second - smack - like thunder breaking the silence.

Raina returned the slap hard, sending Odessa sprawling.

"Ah! Odessa, you okay? Someone call a doctor!" Mireille rushed over, panicking.

No one expected the seemingly delicate Raina to strike like lightning - one slap and Odessa was down.

Odessa was dazed, stunned for a long moment, shame flooding her face.

Then, bloodshot eyes blazing, she lunged at Raina and grabbed her neck with both hands.

"How dare you hit me... Die, Raina! Just die!" Odessa hissed, eyes wild.

Mireille stood right there but only made a half-hearted move to stop her, then froze with a terrified look - no real help.

"Die, Raina."

After Raina disappeared following the birth of her child, Mireille was the happiest.

In just five years, she completely replaced Raina - top socialite, rich fiancé, medical genius title - all hers now.

She'd never let Raina take any of it back.

"Ahhh-!"

A scream like a pig being slaughtered pierced the air, hanging over the party.

Guests nearby who hadn't noticed the fight hurried over.

In moments, the entrance became the center of attention.

Odessa was half-kneeling, while Raina casually held her throat with one hand.

A chilling cold crept up Odessa's spine, making her scalp tingle.

"Y-you b*tch, let me go... I said, let me go..." Odessa spat, eyes a mix of fear and humiliation.

Raina looked down at her with a faint smile, "Why should I?"

Odessa trembled, teeth chattering, "What do you mean why? You're attacking someone in front of all these people! You're truly vicious. No wonder Uncle Carrington abandoned you, and your own mother destroyed your face... You're a curse!"

She didn't care about what people thought.

But her mother disfiguring her was a line Raina would never let anyone cross.

Raina's eyes darkened, colder like a frozen lake, and without a word, she tightened her grip.

Odessa's pupils shrank and she let out a hoarse scream, "H-Help...!"

"Sis, you have to let Odessa go! She's just confused, you can't really kill her over a few words... Sis, stop!" Mireille cried out, clearly terrified of Raina - as if she was a monster.

Her simple words shifted the blame onto Raina.

Those just arriving, unaware of the full story, all thought Raina had gone too far.

Raina didn't loosen her grip. Instead, she turned to Mireille and said coldly, "Stop? When she was hitting me, why didn't you say stop then?"

Mireille hesitated, "I... I thought Odessa was just joking..."

Raina smirked, "Joking? If I hadn't reacted so fast, the one with a hand around their throat right now would be me. Second Miss Carrington, do you really think you won't feel pain unless I slap you across the face?"

Second Miss Carrington.

Those words struck Mireille like a venomous snake, squeezing her heart tightly.

It was a cruel reminder that she would always be the Carrington family's shameful second daughter.

***