And I stood there—bloated, recovering from birth, face stained with melasma.
We were two different species.
Our eyes met.
Sara rose, a smug smile playing on her lips.
"Oh, look who it is. *Mrs. Vance.*"
She raised her wine glass in a mocking toast.
"You came at just the right time. I should thank you—for giving birth to such adorable babies. *For me.*"
Adrian must have called her. She knew the game was up. No need to hide anymore.
A cold smile spread across my face.
I strode into the room, grabbed the edge of the banquet table with one hand—
And flipped it.
The champagne tower crashed down, glass shattering, liquid spraying everywhere. Screams erupted as the crowd scrambled back.
"Boys, tear it up." The lead thug's voice scraped like gravel. "Fifty grand a head. I take the heat for any fallout."
A chorus of raucous shouts exploded from his crew. "You got it, Sis! Consider this part of the premium service."
They surged forward—muscles rippling under tight shirts, tough, ruthless, efficient. They plowed into Sara Graves's gaggle of toxic friends, shoving them aside like ragdolls. The private room descended into chaos.
I didn't hesitate.
I darted through the confusion, wound my hand into Sara's hair, and yanked her head back. *Smack. Smack.* Two sharp slaps echoed through the room.
She tried to claw back, but Ava Finch was faster. Ava drove her heel into the small of Sara's back. Sara stumbled in her eight-centimeter stilettos, knees hitting the floor with a heavy thud.
Right in front of me.
No mercy. I gripped her hair tighter, forcing her face up, and delivered two more stinging slaps.
Just as satisfaction began to settle in—
The door burst open.
Adrian Vance stormed in. Disheveled. Chest heaving with fury.
"Stop it! All of you, stop!"
His face was a mask of ice, eyes burning with suppressed rage. He shoved me aside hard enough to make me stumble, then immediately scooped Sara up from the floor.
Sara, ever the performer, dissolved into tears and nestled deeply into his embrace. Her face was already swelling. "Husband... how could she be so barbaric? It must be so hard for you, having to be with this kind of woman just for my sake."
Adrian shot me a look of pure loathing. "Hailey Henson, if you have a problem, come at me. You do not touch Sara."
His voice dropped an octave. Menacing. Cold.