The high-end banquet hall buzzed with light from massive crystal chandeliers, filling the air with the gentle hum of expensive laughter and clinking champagne flutes.
A beautiful woman stepped through the gilded double doors, her shoulder bruised and thin red scratch marks visible across her soft cheek.
Clara: Excuse me. Pardon me, please.
The murmurs started instantly as wealthy guests in designer gowns turned to stare at her ruined dress and battered skin.
Guest A: Look at her. Isn't that Julian's fiancee?
Guest B: Oh my goodness, what happened to her face?
Julian broke out from the crowd, his face twisted in pure anger as he shoved past two waiters.
Julian: Clara! Get back over here right now!
Clara: Don't come any closer, Julian.
Julian: How dare you walk away from my family like that! You disgraced my mother in front of the entire board!
Clara stopped walking and turned around slowly, her side profile showing a calm, cold, and calculated expression.
Julian: Don't talk to mother like that!
Julian lunged forward across the ballroom, his fists clenched as heavy footsteps echoed off the polished marble floor.
Guest C: Julian, stop!
Clara didn't flinch as Julian reached out to grab her gown.
With a sudden flick of her heel, Clara spun and kicked Julian sharply in the chest, sending him flying backward over a champagne tower cart with a terrifying crash of shattering glass.
Julian: Ugh!
Guest A: Someone call security!
Clara stood over the broken glass, her bruised face curving into a cold, triumphant smirk.
Clara: Tomorrow you'll be begging for my forgiveness.
She turned and walked down the center aisle while the horrified crowd watched in stunned silence, her heels clicking steadily against the floor.
Moments later, Clara sat inside her luxury sports car, pulling the heavy door shut to block out the noise of the ballroom.
She pulled out her smartphone and dialed a single number with a ruthless, determined look in her eyes.
Clara: Wipe the servers. Delete everything they own.