Chapter 10 Red Flags, Black Dresses

"You're what?"

Talia spun toward him. "She's with your uncle! She's sleeping with Kieran Vale!"

Jason's face paled.

Elira's silence was deafening.

Then...

Jason's hand curled into a fist. "Is this what you meant? When you said I'd be calling you 'Auntie'?"

Elira raised a single brow. "Took you long enough."

Talia looked between them, her anger rising. "You bitch-!"

Elira took one step forward. "Try it."

Elira watched them.

Two people who had meant everything to her just days ago-now standing under the sun, squirming in shame, jealousy, and something far more delicious... fear.

Jason's jaw clenched so hard she could hear the tension crack in the air. His eyes burned into her like they were trying to command her back into submission. But it was too late for that.

Way too late.

"ELIRA!" Jason growled, storming forward. His hand grabbed hers, firm but not forceful-yet desperate. "What the hell is going on? What's your relationship with my uncle?!"

She didn't blink.

Instead, she yanked her hand back with a grace that was almost theatrical and snatched her phone from Talia's limp fingers like she was stealing back her dignity. Her lips curled in a sly, unapologetic smile.

"That," she said, stepping back with a deliberate pause, "is none of your business."

And with that, she turned, hips swaying with the elegance of revenge draped in satin. The pavement clicked beneath her heels like applause from the universe. She slid into the driver's seat of her black-on-black luxury coupe, exuding cold triumph.

Jason banged on the window. "You're being impulsive! Elira, listen to me-Kieran's not a good person! You're not thinking straight!"

Elira didn't respond. Didn't even roll the window down.

She simply lit up the engine, gave him one last glance through the tinted glass, and pulled away.

The tires hummed against the road like a hymn of her rebirth.

Behind her, Jason kicked a pebble so hard it pinged off the gate. "FUCK!"

Talia rushed to his side, her entire body trembling in rage. "What are we going to do?! She can't... she can't be with Kieran Vale! That man is too wealthy for her! She doesn't deserve him! What happens to me?! What about me?!"

Jason didn't answer. He stared at the street Elira had vanished down.

But he didn't see asphalt. He saw her.

With him.

His own uncle.

His own damn rival.

The mental image of Elira beneath Kieran, kissing his neck, gripping his shoulders-

Jason's stomach turned.

He stormed back inside, ignoring Talia's pleas. The door slammed shut behind him like a judge dropping the gavel.

Talia stood frozen outside, fists clenched at her sides, her face twisted with hatred.

"You bitch," she spat at the empty road. "Just die already."

Later That Evening

Elira pulled into her sister's long driveway and let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. The gates closed behind her with a soft clang.

A clean-suited butler approached.

"Miss Elira," he bowed. "Madam Sabrina hasn't returned yet. She said to inform you to not wait up as they would be back late."

Elira nodded, expression unreadable. "Alright. I'm heading out tonight anyways. Tell her when she returns. I might not come back this night.."

"Of course."

She didn't say another word.

Her heels echoed against the polished marble floors as she ascended the stairs and entered her room.

The moment the door clicked shut, her shoulders sagged slightly. The adrenaline rush was fading, and beneath all the fire and steel she had shown Jason and Talia... her knees still trembled.

She leaned back against the door and exhaled. "I used Kieran Vale's name like a shield. But he's the one who summoned me. What if... what if he changes his mind? What if he wanted something disastrous in return? What if tonight was a trap?" She shook her head. "No. If he asked for me, then I'll make sure he never lets me go. One way or another."

She walked into her mini office, tossing her bag onto the couch. The room smelled faintly of cedarwood and fresh paper-her sanctuary.

She turned on her computer and pulled out the R&D blueprints. These weren't just sketches. They were MonroeTech's future.

The documents detailed: A proprietary AI chip architecture designed to revolutionize smart energy grids. Advanced biometric tech integration-something even KV Dynamics had been flirting with. A confidential pitch to merge AI surveillance with security drones, including confidential patents tied to the Monroe family legacy.

Her eyes flicked over proposals. Investor reviews. Cross-check memos. Prototype designs.

She made calls-one to her research team to adjust the timeline, another to her finance lead to approve bonus structures. She even video-called the European rep to ensure the patents had been secured.

Everything had to be airtight. No vulnerabilities. Not anymore.

She checked the time.

5:12 PM.

"Gosh, my ass hurts," she muttered, stretching in her seat. Her spine popped. Her eyes were dry.

As she got up to head toward the bathroom, her office phone rang.

She glanced at the screen.

INCOMING CALL – SHAYLA (U.C. Assistant)

She picked up. "Yes, Shayla?"

The woman's voice came through, respectful and clipped. "Ma'am, the meeting with KV Dynamics has been postponed. They didn't give a specific reason."

Elira paused.

"Postponed?"

"Yes, ma'am. No follow-up date yet."

"Hmph." Elira sat back down. "Let's not worry too much. They came to us, remember? Not the other way around."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I want a full follow-up by Monday. If they delay more than twice, we pull our offer and leak it to the press that they missed out."

"Yes, ma'am. Anything else?"

"Send a bottle of vintage Dalmore to the Zurich rep with a thank-you card. And keep tracking any mentions of my name in connection with MonroeTech. I want daily summaries."

"Understood. I'll compile the next brief before midnight."

"Thank you, Shayla."

Elira ended the call.

She sighed and glanced at the clock again.

5:47 PM.

Time was sprinting.

She headed to the bathroom and shed her clothes slowly, peeling off her stress with every layer.

The hot shower cascaded over her skin, turning her thoughts into steam. She scrubbed until her skin glowed. Afterward, she toweled off, slathered lotion on her legs, and walked into her walk-in closet wrapped in nothing but confidence.

Her eyes landed on the dress that had haunted her since this morning.

A red dress.

Backless. Silk. Temptation woven into fabric.

She scoffed. "Tch. Wear red, he said. Like I'm some firecracker waiting to be lit."

Then her eyes caught the dress hanging quietly in the far back corner.

Black.

Long.

Split at the thigh.

Diamond cutout across the chest, teasing but never vulgar.

Satin so smooth, it looked painted on.

And when she moved, it shimmered like oil under moonlight.

She smiled. Perfect.

Pulling it out, she stepped into the dress and zipped it up.

Her figure melted into it.

Hair pinned into a soft updo, with tendrils falling to tease her collarbones.

Nude heels.

Dark wine lips.

Diamond studs.

Eyes lined with precision.

She looked in the mirror and tilted her head, studying herself like an artist inspecting her own masterpiece.

"Let's dance," she whispered.