The Party

“Why did you do that, Layla?” Her father, Dante, asked disappointedly. 

He knew how ambitious his daughter was, but stealing his niece's husband? It was a no-no for him. Even though he had his eyes on that company, he would never do anything that would hurt Olivia. 

Layla burst into laughter at her father's question. She let go of her phone and walked up to him. 

“Dad, what did I do wrong? Why are you questioning me like I killed someone?” She asked sarcastically. 

Dante ruffled his dark brown hair at Layla's words. “Layla! Don't you dare play with me! I asked, Why did you steal your cousin's man?”

She bit her lips at how frustrating her father was becoming. “If you are going to be the angel or the devil, choose one and stop confusing me! You want that damn company, don't you?” 

Her question came as a harsh truth to her father. He wanted that company more than anyone else. He had worked so hard for the past two decades to impress his brother, hoping his brother would hand over the company to him before he died, but he gave everything to Olivia, leaving nothing for him. 

“Do you think this is about choosing a side? I clearly told you times without numbers, not to do anything silly and wait for me. I will take back that company when the time is right,” his voice sounded cold, annoying Layla. 

“And when is that f*cking time? Tomorrow? Next? Next year? In ten years? Damn! You have been repeating the same thing for the past few years; when exactly will that time come, dad?” She asked loudly, not caring if she was being rude to her father. “Since you weren't going to make the first move, I did so for you. I collided with my boyfriend and deceived Olivia! I made her lose everything to me. This time, we aren't losing, are we?”

“Layla–”

“If you are going to blame me, will you just keep those words in there? Right now, I am too tired to hear blame rather than praise,” she excused herself from the living room. 

She knew her father felt disappointed, but he would know she was trying to help him with time. 

Layla walked into her room, then headed into the bathroom. Thanks to her father, she was already late for the party. 

The party is the most popular party in the city. It's known to only invite people from wealthy families, especially class S citizens. It is hosted by Chloe, Layla's best friend, her partner in crime. 

“Damn! Chloe is going to yank my hair if I get there late,” Layla muttered as she checked the time. 

She took her bath hurriedly before she dressed up. She got dressed up in a dark brown draped gown, a black pair of stilettos, and her blonde hair styled in a ponytail. 

She applied her makeup before checking her reflection in the mirror. After she confirmed her makeup and dress were perfect, she took her purse and walked out of her room. 

She did not bother to inform her father that she was going out before heading to the parking lot. She got into her car and drove off to the party location. 

The ride from her house to the Crawford Hotel was thirty minutes, but it took her only fifteen minutes before she arrived. 

She alighted from her car after parking and walked into the restaurant. She showed the receptionist her invitation card, making them let her into the party hall. 

“Layla, I thought you weren't coming. I was just about to come drag your ass out of that house,” Chloe said with a frown. 

Layla chuckled at her friend's words before she hit her slightly on the back. “Jeez… Don't you know this party isn't complete without me, uh?”

They both laughed at her joke. They talked for a few minutes before they joined the others. 

“Ahem. I almost forgot,” Chloe began. “I want to discuss something important with you,” she added. 

“Go ahead, I am listening,” Layla replied. 

Chloe hesitated before she continued. “There is someone I want you to teach a lesson. I want you to seduce him tonight and make sure you make an unforgettable impression on him.”

“And who is that scapegoat?” Layla asked curiously. 

“My cousin, Alden,” Chloe replied hastily. “My grandmother–”

Before she could complete her statement, she was interrupted by Layla's scream. 

“Who the hell wet me?” Layla asked before she raised her gaze to look at the person who just poured her a bottle of wine. 

A soft gasp escaped her lips as her gaze met the person's face. It was Olivia. 

She was shocked to see her here because Olivia doesn't attend parties, and also expected Olivia to lock herself indoors– crying and ashamed of her inability to make her marriage work. 

“Chloe, why is she here?” Instead of directing her anger at Olivia, she directed it at Chloe. She knew Chloe wouldn't betray their friendship to embarrass her here, but she couldn't help it. 

“I am equally amused just as you were. I don't know how she got the pass card because I don't remember giving it to her or a stranger aside from Alden,” Chloe informed her with sincerity reflected in her eyes. 

Olivia chuckled softly before she spoke up, amusing them even more. “Oh, I forgot to inform you, I came here in place of my husband, Alden.”

The ladies' eyes widened at Olivia's words as they exchanged glances. Especially Layla, because there was no way Olivia would get married within three days after her divorce. 

“Olivia, did you hit–” 

Olivia did not allow Layla to finish before she opened the wine she ordered some minutes ago and began pouring it on Layla's head. Layla wanted to stand up and fight Olivia, but she couldn't do anything as the other people present were taking videos and pictures. 

Seeing how Layla was weak and unable to talk, Olivia seized the opportunity to blackmail Layla. 

She would do just as Alden said: 'becoming a monster to fight another monster.'