Chapter 5 The First Spark of Revenge

Ava had spent Ava's fingers wrapped tightly around her phone, her nails biting into her palm as she felt a surge of determination course through her veins. Enough was enough.

She was done being the victim, done crying herself to sleep at night, done feeling sorry for herself. It was time to take back control, to stand up for herself, and to fight back against those who had wronged her.

Ava took a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve settle in. She was tired of being pushed around, tired of being lied to, and tired of being hurt. It was time to rise up, to take a stand, and to show the world that she wouldn't be broken.

With newfound strength and determination, Ava stood up, her eyes blazing with a fierce inner light. She was ready to face whatever came next, ready to take on the world, and ready to fight for herself. The question was, where would she start? drowning in misery.

Now?

She was done.

She'd had enough. The moment she discovered who was behind the fake affair rumors, something inside her just broke. And the person responsible was none other than Charlotte.

Her own sister.

Ava's eyes were glued to the screen of her phone, the words of the article blurring together as her mind racing with the implications. And then, suddenly, it all clicked into place.

The rumors, the lies, the whispered conversations behind her back... it all made sense now. Ava felt a wave of anger and betrayal wash over her as she realized who was behind it all.

She read the article again, her eyes scanning the words for any mention of a name. And then she saw it:

Charlotte. Her sister, the one person she thought she could trust.

Ava's mind was reeling with questions. Why had Charlotte done it? What had Ava ever done to her? And how could she have been so blind to her sister betrayal?

Charlotte had always been jealous. She hated playing second to Ava, hated that Ava had the perfect marriage, the perfect life-and now it made sense.

Charlotte hadn't just waited for Ava to fall.

She pushed her.

Ava tightened her grip on the phone, her nails digging into her palm.

Ava's fingers wrapped tightly around her phone, her nails biting into her palm as she felt a surge of determination course through her veins. Enough was enough.

She was done being the victim, done crying herself to sleep at night, done feeling sorry for herself. It was time to take back control, to stand up for herself, and to fight back against those who had wronged her.

Ava took a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve settle in. She was tired of being pushed around, tired of being lied to, and tired of being hurt. It was time to rise up, to take a stand, and to show the world that she wouldn't be broken.

With the strength and determination, Ava stood up, her eyes blazing with a fierce inner light. She was ready to face whatever came next, ready to take on the world, and ready to fight for herself. The question was, where would she start?

The next morning, Ava walked into work with her head held high.

Michael, her boss, was sitting at his desk, scrolling through his phone and laughing.

Waiting for ava to come and do the whole work and cleaning herself but He didn't even glance up when she stepped inside. "You're late." He said

Ava tossed a folder onto his desk.

"Am here to quit this job."

Michael blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Ava said, crossing her arms. "I'm done working for free. I'm done with your 'accidental' payroll issues. And I'm definitely done running around getting coffee while you stare at my ass."

Michael's face turned red. "You better watch your tone, Ava. You're not exactly in a position to..."

Ava smirked. "What? Quit a job, Ruin my reputation? Lucas already did that, and trust me-you don't have half his power."

Michael sputtered, but she was already turning on her heel, walking out of that miserable excuse for a job without looking back.

For the first time in weeks, Ava felt like she could breathe.she felt free.

Now, she had one focus.

Revenge.

She was done being controlled. And been manipulated. People who whot the wrong version of me need to know that I was only been framed

Now, it was her turn to play the game.

Ava spent the next few days plotting.

She wasn't just going to survive-she was going to win for sure.

But there was a problem.

Lucas had burned every bridge she had.

No one wanted to hire the woman branded as a cheater and liar.

She needed money and connections.

And there was only one way to get them.

Ava secured a last-minute meeting at an exclusive lounge with an old business contact.

It wasn't much, but it was something.

She walked in, determination in her every step-only to freeze.

Sitting at the bar, smirking over a glass of wine, was Charlotte.

Ava's blood boiled.

Charlotte turned, feigning surprise. "Ava? Wow. You look... tired and exhausted.

Ava exhaled through her nose. Ignore her.

But Charlotte wasn't done. "Still looking for a job? I heard no one wants to touch you. Must be humiliating."

Ava clenched her jaw. "You should be careful, Charlotte. You never know when things might turn."

Charlotte laughed. "Please. You were never built for this world." She leaned in, voice dripping with amusement. "Why don't you do us all a favor and disappear?"

Ava met her gaze, something dark and unshaken burning inside her.

"Don't worry," she said coolly. "I'm just getting started."

Charlotte's smirk faltered.

Good.

---

That night, Ava was reviewing business plans when her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number: I hear you're looking for investors.

Ava frowned.

Unknown Number: I hear you're looking for investors.

Ava narrowed her eyes at the message.

Unknown Number: I might be interested. Meet me tomorrow at Club Noir.

Her fingers hovered over the screen. This had trap written all over it. A setup. A joke. A complete waste of time.

Or...

It could be exactly what she needed.

-

The next night, Ava stepped into Club Noir, the air thick with perfume, whiskey, and power. Dim lights cast seductive shadows over velvet booths, and the bass thrummed low, like a secret waiting to be told.

Her heels clicked against the marble as she scanned the room. New York's elite lounged with cocktails in hand, murmuring deals between sips of hundred-dollar whiskey. But she wasn't here for them.

And then-she saw him.

VIP section. Back against the leather, legs spread in that effortless display of dominance. An impeccably tailored black suit, sharp lines matching the cut of his jaw. Dark eyes locked on her like he'd been waiting.

Adrian Blackwell.

Lucas's biggest rival.

His lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.

Like he'd been expecting her. Like he already knew exactly why she was here.

Ava's pulse kicked up.

Then Adrian leaned forward, eyes glinting under the low lights, and murmured just loud enough for her to hear-

"You're a little late, Ava. I was starting to think you were scared."