The boutique's elegant atmosphere shattered as Regina's laughter echoed through the marble floors and crystal chandeliers. Her voice carried across the showroom, deliberately loud enough to draw attention from other shoppers.

"Oh my God, Sienna, is this seriously where you shop now?" Regina's eyes gleamed with malicious delight as she circled me like a vulture. "I heard you were having financial troubles after your little... breakdown."

I remained perfectly still, my hand resting protectively over my stomach. "I'm doing just fine, Regina."

"Are you?" She tilted her head, her perfectly highlighted hair cascading over one shoulder. "Because Sebastian mentioned you've been struggling to cope since your mother passed."

The mention of my mother sent a chill down my spine. I touched her silver ring on my finger, drawing strength from it.

"That's none of your concern," I replied evenly.

Regina's gaze suddenly fixed on my neck, where Leonidas had placed the "Starlight Tears" that morning—a $20 million diamond necklace that caught the light with every breath I took.

"Is that supposed to be real?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Every diamond is real," I answered simply.

She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "You know what? I don't believe you. You're wearing a cheap knockoff in a high-end store. How pathetic."

Before I could react, her hand shot out and grasped the necklace. With a violent tug, she yanked it from my neck, the clasp breaking with a sickening snap.

"Let's see how real these diamonds are," she sneered, backing toward the decorative fountain in the center of the boutique.

"Regina, don't—" I started, but it was too late.

With theatrical flourish, she tossed the necklace into the water. The diamonds caught the light one last time before sinking beneath the surface.

"Oops," she said with mock innocence. "Looks like cheap fake trash for a fake woman."

The saleswoman gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. The other customers turned to stare, whispers spreading through the boutique like wildfire.

I felt heat rising to my cheeks, but I forced myself to remain calm. Leonidas had taught me that true power wasn't in emotional outbursts—it was in calculated responses.

"That necklace is worth twenty million dollars," I said, my voice ice-cold. "I suggest you retrieve it immediately."

Regina's smile faltered for just a moment before she recovered. "Twenty million? You're insane."

"I expect full compensation," I continued, meeting her gaze steadily. "Twenty million dollars for the damaged property."

"Sienna, you pathetic little—"

"What's going on here?"

Sebastian's voice cut through the tension. He stood in the doorway, immaculate in his tailored suit, his expression shifting from confusion to anger as he took in the scene.

"Sebastian!" Regina rushed to his side, clinging to his arm. "This woman is having some kind of breakdown. She's claiming I threw her fake necklace into the fountain and demanding twenty million dollars!"

Sebastian's eyes found mine, and for a moment, I saw something flicker there—recognition, perhaps even regret. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

"Sienna," he said, his voice hardening. "What are you doing here?"

"Shopping," I replied simply.

He shook his head, disappointment etched across his features. "I thought we were past this. Regina told me you might be... unstable."

"Unstable?" I repeated.

"This pathetic attempt at extortion," he continued, gesturing toward the fountain. "Making up stories about valuable jewelry... it's sad, Sienna."

The saleswoman stepped forward hesitantly. "Sir, the lady's necklace did appear to be quite valuable..."

"Thank you," I said to her quietly before turning back to Sebastian and Regina. "You'll regret this."

I walked away, my heels clicking against the marble floor with deliberate calm. Only when I reached the street did I allow myself to show any emotion—my hands trembling as I pulled out my phone.

"Leonidas," I said when he answered. "I need you."

* * *

The penthouse was bathed in the golden light of sunset when I returned. Leonidas sat in his favorite armchair by the window, a financial newspaper open on his lap. He looked up as I entered, his expression softening.

"There you are," he said, setting aside the paper. "I was beginning to worry."

I touched the angry red mark on my neck where the necklace had been torn away. "I need to show you something."

He rose from his chair, concern etching his features as he approached me. When he saw the bruise forming on my skin, his entire demeanor changed. The gentle husband vanished, replaced by the ruthless businessman who had built an empire through calculated precision.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.

I told him everything—Regina's mockery, the necklace in the fountain, Sebastian's dismissal.

Leonidas's jaw tightened as I spoke, his eyes darkening with each word. When I finished, he didn't speak immediately. Instead, he walked to the bar and poured two glasses of water, handing one to me.

"Marcus," he called out, his voice carrying across the penthouse.

Almost instantly, Marcus Chen appeared in the doorway, his expression alert and ready.

"Sir?"

"Get Victoria Hayes here. Now."

Marcus nodded and disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.

Leonidas turned to me, his eyes cold with fury. "They will pay for this, Sienna. Every single person who had a hand in hurting you."

He took my hand gently, his touch contrasting with the steel in his voice. "We'll destroy them piece by piece."

As he spoke, I felt something shift inside me—the last remnants of the woman who had begged Sebastian for help falling away completely. In her place stood someone new: Mrs. Anderson, who would never beg again.

The cream-colored envelope arrived by courier three days after the boutique incident. I recognized Regina's looping handwriting immediately—the same script she'd used to sign yearbooks back at Columbia, always with a little heart dotting the i.

"Mrs. Anderson," our housekeeper said, placing it on the silver tray beside my morning tea. "This just came for you."

I sliced open the envelope with my mother's silver letter opener, pulling out a heavy card stock invitation. The embossed lettering caught the morning light streaming through our penthouse windows.

"Ms. Regina Owens cordially invites you to an apology dinner at the Wood family estate..."

I nearly choked on my tea. An apology dinner? From Regina?

Leonidas appeared in the doorway, already dressed in his perfectly tailored suit. "What is it?"

I handed him the invitation, watching his expression darken as he read.

"She's threatening you," he said flatly, noting the postscript at the bottom: *Your presence is required if you wish to maintain any future employment prospects in Manhattan. My social media reach extends further than you might imagine.*

"Social media blackmail," I murmured, tracing my mother's ring with my thumb. "How original."

Leonidas's jaw tightened. "You're not going."

"I am," I replied, meeting his gaze steadily. "With your security team."

He studied me for a long moment before nodding. "Marcus will arrange everything."

---

The Wood estate sprawled across five acres of prime Connecticut real estate, its colonial architecture gleaming under perfectly landscaped grounds. As our car pulled up the circular driveway, I spotted at least thirty luxury vehicles already parked in the lot.

"Ready?" Leonidas asked, his hand warm against mine.

I smoothed the silk of my midnight blue gown—a Valentino that cost more than most people's monthly salary. The dress was understated yet unmistakably expensive, with subtle details that only those in the know would recognize.

"Ready," I confirmed.

Marcus flanked me as we entered, his presence discreet but unmistakable. Two other security personnel positioned themselves nearby, their casual postures belying their purpose.

The cocktail hour was in full swing when we arrived. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over Manhattan's elite—CEOs, hedge fund managers, and socialites mingling beneath oil paintings of Wood family ancestors.

I spotted Sebastian immediately, his tall frame bent slightly as he listened to an older man in an expensive suit. He hadn't noticed me yet.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Regina's voice rang out as she tapped a crystal glass with a silver spoon. The room gradually fell silent. "I'd like to make an announcement."

She stood on a small platform at the edge of the room, resplendent in a red designer gown that screamed for attention. Her smile was razor-sharp as her gaze found mine.

"I've invited someone special tonight," she continued, her voice carrying through the hushed room. "Someone who needs to learn her place in our world."

The crowd parted slightly, creating a path between us. Regina's smile widened as she beckoned me forward.

"Sienna Peterson—or whatever she's calling herself these days—please join me."

I felt Marcus tense beside me, but I placed a gentle hand on his arm. With measured steps, I approached the platform.

"This is Sebastian's emotionally unstable ex-employee," Regina announced to the room, her voice amplified by the microphone in her hand. "The woman who hallucinates wearing museum-grade jewelry and attempts to extort innocent people."

A ripple of uncomfortable laughter moved through the crowd. I saw Sebastian's face go pale.

"Oh, and she's pregnant," Regina added with a malicious smile. "Though I wonder who the father might be."

Instead of the shame or anger Regina clearly expected, I felt a strange calm wash over me. I took the microphone from her hand with deliberate slowness.

"Thank you, Regina," I said, my voice steady. "For demonstrating exactly why you've always needed to buy what I've always had naturally."

The room went deadly silent.

"Your entire life," I continued, meeting her gaze directly, "you've been desperate for what came easily to me—respect, genuine admiration, people who valued me for my mind rather than my bank account."

Regina's face contorted with rage. "You pathetic little nobody—"

"I graduated summa cum laude at Columbia," I cut in smoothly. "I built a successful career on merit. And yes, I found love that wasn't transactional."

I watched her carefully as each word landed like a physical blow.

"You've spent your entire life trying to purchase what I've always had freely given," I concluded. "That must be exhausting."

Regina's composure cracked completely. With a feral cry, she lunged forward, shoving me hard toward a marble pillar.

I felt myself falling backward, my hands instinctively covering my stomach. The room erupted in gasps and shouts as Marcus moved with lightning speed toward us.