Chapter 2: The First Strike
The valet’s eyes widened as Kimberly stepped out of the Lamborghini, her beige dress gliding like liquid gold under the estate’s chandeliers.
She didn’t wait for Declan.
She didn’t need to.
Inside, the elite of Javille mingled—old-money dynasties, corporate titans, and socialites who’d once sneered at her. Tonight, they’d see the real Kimberly Holden.
Her fingers brushed the emerald necklace at her throat—the one Declan had planned to steal for Valerie.
Not this time.
A murmur rippled through the crowd as she entered.
“Is that… Declan Walsh’s wife?”
“Since when does she dress like that?”
“I heard she’s a clingy mess—what happened?”
Kimberly ignored them, accepting a champagne flute from a passing waiter.
Then—she saw them.
Declan, tall and arrogant in his tuxedo. Valerie clinging to his arm, her pink gown a cheap imitation of Kimberly’s old style.
Their eyes locked.
Declan’s jaw tightened. Valerie’s smile faltered.
Good.
Kimberly sipped her champagne, savoring their shock.
Declan stormed over, his voice a furious whisper. “What the hell are you doing here? And why are you wearing—”
“My grandmother’s necklace?” She tilted her head. “Because it’s mine.”
Valerie hurried over, fake concern plastered on her face. “Kimberly, you look… different. Did something happen?”
Kimberly’s smile was razor-sharp. “Oh, just realized life’s too short to waste on people who don’t matter.”
Declan’s grip on her wrist was bruising. “Take it off. Now.”
Gasps erupted around them.
Kimberly didn’t flinch. “Or what? You’ll humiliate me? Again?” She raised her voice, ensuring every gossip-hungry ear heard. “Funny how you’re so concerned about my necklace when you didn’t even notice I drove myself here.”
The crowd buzzed. Declan’s reputation was built on control—and she’d just shattered it.
Valerie tried damage control. “Declan, maybe we should—”
“No.” Kimberly cut her off, stepping closer. “You wanted to play the perfect sister? Let’s see how you handle this.”
With that, she turned—and walked straight toward the one man no one dared approach.
Lucian Howard.
The reclusive heir of the Howard dynasty. Untouchable. Dangerous.
And in her past life, the only person who’d ever seen right through her.
His dark eyes locked onto hers as she stopped before him.
“Mr. Howard,” she said, loud enough for Declan to hear. “I believe you were interested in the Holden emeralds?”
Silence fell.
Declan’s face drained of color.
Lucian’s lips curved. “Indeed. But I was told they weren’t for sale.”
Kimberly smiled. “They are now.”