Chapter 6 You Might End Up Needing It

A gold-trimmed invitation lay forgotten on the battered coffee table in the Clark family's living room.

Jacob spotted it and grabbed it without a second thought. His expression soured the instant he read the name.

"The Lewis family? I can't believe they actually invited us," said Jacob, his voice tense.

He swung around to face Nadine. "Nadine, we shouldn't set foot in that place! After everything we did for their family, you'd think they'd show some loyalty. But as soon as Dad's company started to collapse, Blaine Lewis couldn't wait to stomp on us. He swooped in and bought up our businesses for pennies, then went around telling everyone that working with us meant making an enemy out of him!"

Jacob's eyes were bloodshot with anger. He took a shaky breath and said, "Honestly, the Lewises are the reason we lost everything."

Nadine sat on the sofa, her attention glued to the latest message lighting up her phone. "Boss, I got the info. Turns out, it was Blaine Lewis who orchestrated Kaden's arrest. Plus, most of the Lewis family's recent wealth comes from trafficking people across the Urygan border."

Human trafficking. That was it.

Kaden used to be the best detective on the force. He must have uncovered the Lewises' crimes and paid the price for it.

So this so-called banquet was nothing more than a setup to gauge her next move-the new threat they hadn't counted on.

She slipped her phone into her pocket and looked Jacob square in the eye, his face still burning with outrage. "We're going. I want to see what games they're playing this time."

...

The moment Nadine and Jacob walked into the Lewis family's banquet hall in their simple clothes, whispers swept through the room, and laughter quickly followed.

"Is that the lost daughter of the Clark family? Word is they're practically broke, yet they still had the guts to show up?"

Daniela glided over in her designer gown, arm-in-arm with Blaine's eldest son, and paused right in front of Nadine. "Nadine, I have to ask, where did you dig up that dress? I almost didn't recognize you. Are you really showing up to the Lewis family's big event dressed like this? Do you need a few pointers on how to act in public?"

Jacob's hands balled into fists, anger pulsing visibly beneath his skin.

For years, the Clark family treated Daniela like family, and now she switched her loyalty to the Lewises without a second thought.

Nadine didn't even bother to answer her, barely flicking her eyes toward Daniela. "Was that an insect I just heard? You Lewis family must be desperate if you're letting anyone through the door tonight."

Daniela's cheeks went crimson.

Shaking with fury, she bit her tongue, the memory of Nadine's last kick still fresh and painful in her mind.

Before the night ended, she swore she'd make sure Nadine was left with nothing.

A smooth voice called out from across the room. "Well, Nadine, you're a tough one to track down. I honestly never expected to see you again." Blaine appeared, dressed to impress, a glass of wine in his hand and a sly grin on his face.

He let the silence linger before leaning closer. "Time's running out for your father. Lucky for you, I have friends in an overseas lab-one of the best, actually. They've managed to whip up the only antidote that could save him. If you want it, all you have to do is get up there and call me your honorary father in front of everyone. Do that, and maybe I'll hand it over."

All eyes in the hall turned toward Nadine and Blaine, the crowd practically holding their breath.

Everyone in attendance knew the long-standing feud between the two families.

Blaine's proposal was a deliberate insult, and nobody missed it.

Daniela sat up straighter, her lips curling into a smile, eager to watch Nadine crumble.

Nadine slowly lifted her head, eyes cold and voice steady. "Don't worry about my father. I'll save him myself. You can keep your antidote. You might end up needing it a lot sooner than you think."