Chapter 3: The Echoes of Betrayal
The VIP section was roped off with velvet cords and guarded by men in discreet black earpieces, but the sheer chaos of the gala’s intermission allowed Marcus to slip through the gaps. His heart hammered in his chest. His mind was racing, formulating a thousand different lies and excuses. He just needed five minutes with Kholi. Five minutes to look into those familiar brown eyes and manipulate the soft, forgiving girl he used to know.
"Kholi," Marcus called out, his voice cracking slightly as he approached her table.
Kholi was sitting gracefully in a plush chair, sipping a glass of sparkling water. At the sound of her name, she didn't flinch. She simply placed her glass down and turned her head slowly. The look in her eyes wasn't anger; it was something far worse. It was absolute, chilling indifference.
"Marcus," she replied evenly. "I believe the general admission tables are on the other side of the ballroom."
"Kholi, please," Marcus stepped closer, ignoring the cold sweat forming on his brow. He tried to put on the charming, boyish smile that used to make her melt. "I... I had no idea. You look incredible. This whole event, the company... I always knew you had it in you. Remember when we used to talk about your business ideas late at night?"
"I remember you telling me my ideas were a waste of time and that I should get a job as a receptionist," Kholi corrected him without raising her voice. Her calmness was terrifying. "What do you want, Marcus?"
"I made a mistake!" Marcus suddenly reached out, attempting to grab her hand resting on the table. "Serena means nothing to me. Her family is bankrupt, Kholi! It’s all a façade. I only left you because I was scared, because I thought I needed connections to survive. But seeing you tonight... I realize I never stopped loving you. We can fix this. You, me... we have history."
Before Marcus's fingers could even brush Kholi’s skin, a large, heavy hand clamped down on his wrist with the crushing force of a steel vice.
Marcus let out a sharp gasp of pain and looked up. Alexander Vance was standing right beside him. The billionaire’s face was an emotionless mask, but his dark eyes were burning with a terrifying, lethal intensity.
"I suggest you remove your hand from my wife's vicinity," Alexander said, his voice dropping an octave, resonating with sheer dominance. "Before I remove it from your arm."
Marcus instantly yanked his hand back, stumbling a step away. He swallowed hard, intimidated by the sheer physical and financial power radiating from Alexander. "I... I was just congratulating her, Mr. Vance. We’re old friends."
"You are a footnote in a life she no longer remembers," Alexander replied, stepping elegantly between Kholi and Marcus, completely shielding her from view. "I know exactly who you are, Marcus Thorne. I know about your failing startup. I know about the $400,000 debt you owe to the Vanguard Group. And I know you’ve been desperately trying to secure a meeting with my investment firm for the last six months."
Marcus turned ghostly pale. "How... how do you know that?"
Alexander adjusted his cuffs with terrifying nonchalance. "Because I bought the Vanguard Group this morning. Which means, as of 9:00 AM today, I own your debt. And after tonight, I will ensure that not a single bank in this city gives you so much as a dime."
"You can't do that!" Marcus’s voice pitched into a pathetic, high-pitched whine. "Kholi, tell him! We have history!"
"We have history," Kholi finally spoke, standing up slowly. Alexander instantly offered his arm to support her. She looked at Marcus, and for the first time, a flicker of pity crossed her face. "And that history taught me exactly what a coward looks like. Alexander isn't ruining you, Marcus. You ruined yourself the day you traded your soul for a fake heiress."
"Speaking of the fake heiress," Alexander murmured, glancing over Marcus’s shoulder.
Serena was storming toward the VIP area, her face twisted into an ugly mask of pure jealousy and rage. The tiara sat crookedly on her head, and her heavy makeup was beginning to crease with sweat.
"What is going on here?!" Serena screeched, completely ignoring the stares of the billionaires around them. She pointed a shaking finger at Kholi. "You think you’re so special because you tricked a rich man into knocking you up? You're nothing! You’re just a gold-digging tramp who got lucky!"
The entire VIP section fell dead silent. Even the string quartet in the background seemed to miss a beat.
Kholi didn't yell. She didn't cry. She simply pulled a small, elegant silver phone from her clutch and tapped the screen once.
"Serena Sterling," Kholi said smoothly, projecting her voice just enough for the surrounding tables to hear. "It’s interesting you use the term 'gold-digging'. I was just reviewing the guest list. Did you know the Sterling family estate was foreclosed on three days ago? Or that the gown you’re wearing was reported stolen from the Delphine boutique this afternoon?"
Serena’s jaw dropped. The color completely drained from her face. "You... you're lying! How dare you!"
Two large security guards in black suits materialized from the shadows, stepping directly behind Serena.
"I don't lie," Kholi smiled, a sharp, beautiful, and dangerous smile. "And I don't tolerate thieves at my gala. Escort Ms. Sterling and Mr. Thorne to the exit. Use the service elevator."
As the guards grabbed Serena by the arms, she began to thrash and scream, her rented tiara finally tumbling off her head and clattering onto the marble floor. Marcus didn't even try to help her; he just hung his head in absolute defeat as the guards dragged them both away.
Alexander turned to Kholi, a smirk playing on his lips. "Remind me never to make you angry, Mrs. Vance."
Kholi laughed softly, resting her hand on her belly. "You’re safe, darling. For now."
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But the night was far from over. As Kholi and Alexander turned back to the gala, a tall, shadowy figure with silver hair emerged from the crowd. He was staring intensely at Kholi, holding a faded photograph in his trembling hands. A photograph of a baby girl with the exact same birthmark Kholi had on her neck.
👇 Who is the mysterious man, and what explosive secret is about to turn Kholi's entire world upside down?
