When she got home, Liana grabbed her laptop and began to investigate. Then, she looked up at the window and sat down to admire the night, thinking:
—"Now it's Alexandra's father... I had planned to be the one to do it, but I'm not second-hand leftovers. Besides, I don't plan to carry more baggage. That man is a womanizer. Even though he has a wife, he doesn't value her. And she's so beautiful!"
She paused and frowned.
—"But something doesn't add up... Why is Alexandra's mother so distant with her own daughter? And she's rarely seen next to her husband or Alexandra. There are secrets in that family... such an unpleasant household."
She sighed, resting her head against the glass.
—"Both parents are attractive, but their daughter has a common beauty. The father looks like a man in his thirties... But this time I'll use that woman to do the job. After all, she loves being second-hand leftovers. Although... I'm not sure it'll work. This afternoon, he looked at me like I was his prey."
As she imagined, the scene faded. Now we saw Alexandra crying inconsolably in her room. Her mother gently knocked on the door.
—"Alex, are you okay?"
—"Mom, I can't!" —Alexandra cried between sobs— "I don't think I can take it... It's my fault Benjamín died. I was to blame for everything! If I hadn't done that stupid thing..."
Her mother hugged her in silence, trying to comfort her.
The scene returned to Liana, who said:
—"I'll place my pieces on the board... and my opponent's moves will determine mine. But I must not get confused. You never know what the enemy is thinking."
After that, Liana went to bed. The next day, she called a woman and said:
—"I need you."
—"What's in it for me?" —the voice on the other end replied.
—"Money," Liana said with a smile— "A lot of money. But let me tell you something..."
For a moment, she showed a flicker of vulnerability.
—"Money is tempting... but it's not good."
Then she returned to her usual tone:
—"I'll be waiting at my house."
A while later, the doorbell rang. Liana opened the door.
—"Aurora. I thought you wouldn't come."
Liana looked her up and down.
—"Long blonde hair, emerald green eyes, and a perfect body... Just right for that guy."
—"May I come in?" —Aurora asked.
—"Come in."
Aurora was a woman Liana had met under precarious circumstances and had decided to help. A lover of money, but with a good heart. She didn't have a strong personality, but her emotional stability was something Liana valued.
Once inside, Aurora asked:
—"What job am I going to do?"
—"You'll do everything I say, and you'll dress how I tell you," Liana responded with a smile— "He's married, handsome, and a womanizer. From today on, you'll stay at my house. You'll be my eyes and ears."
Aurora smiled.
—"As you wish. If there's money, I'm all in."
—"There's a party next week. I'll help you prepare. Look at his photos."
From that day on, Liana began working on Aurora's transformation. On the day of the party, Liana sat alone on her bed and said:
—"This is cruel. But I promised myself men would become my prey... That I'd make them my dogs, and that no one would ever mistreat me again."
—"I don't want to be weak. I didn't want money. I didn't want power. I wasn't ambitious. But my sad life made me believe I had to be. Even though my 'tragic' life doesn't compare to those who truly suffered, I didn't suffer that much... I was just poor. But that was enough to trigger this story. That was the base. And it made me understand that reason outweighs power."
"I disconnected from my emotions. I was always alone. No one understood me. They turned me into this... and then they couldn't handle me. I just wanted to be loved and not judged. I just wanted to be appreciated."
—"Let's not go back to the past," Liana murmured in front of the mirror— "What's there... should stay there."
At that moment, Sebastián, her wardrobe assistant, interrupted her.
—"Lía, you look gorgeous in that red dress. It makes your skin glow... and that little tiara makes you look even more stunning."
—"Is Aurora ready?" —Liana asked, not looking away from the mirror.
—"Yes, she's ready," Sebastián replied— "And another thing… you never finished telling me about that guy."
Liana turned slowly. Her face showed no emotion.
—"Sebastián... that guy came into my house. I let him sleep there... and he took liberties he shouldn't have."
Sebastián frowned, surprised.
—"Are you crazy? What if he'd hurt you? Though... I have to admit, he's hot."
Liana let out a slight smile.
—"Yes, he's hot. At least that makes up for one mistake..."
Sebastián just sighed.
—"You love the adrenaline. But it's time to go."
Liana answered with an innocent smile:
—"Yes... it's time."
As she left the room, Aurora was waiting. Liana watched her with a calculating gaze.
—"From now on, you're an innocent woman. Smile like one... but keep some cunning. Don't approach any man. Let them approach you."
Aurora smiled, mimicking the innocence requested of her.
—"As you say, Miss."
And together, they left the house.
When they arrived at the party, Liana handed Aurora a small device.
—"Put it on," she ordered firmly— "You'll do everything I say."
As she had predicted, there he was: Alexandra's father. His name was the same as his daughter's. But he wasn't alone. The cherry on top... Leonard.
Liana had barely entered and had already caught Leonard's attention. He walked up to her while she, distracted, observed the place.
This place is beautiful and luxurious... I didn't think the invitation was real. But yes, it's perfect. So many public figures. Ideal for weaving new connections...
Without noticing, Leonard was already in front of her. He got so close to her face it looked like he was going to kiss her.
—"What a pervert," Liana whispered with an innocent smile— "We're in public..."
Leonard only smiled.
—"Would you accept me as your dance partner?"
—"Why not?"
Before starting, Leonard was briefly held up. Liana took the chance to give Aurora instructions.
—"He's on your right. Don't get too close... but make yourself noticeable. That way, it'll seem like he's interested in you, not the other way around."
—"Understood," Aurora responded softly.
Everything happened exactly as Liana had imagined. Alejandro approached Aurora, and she followed the instructions to the letter. Meanwhile, the dance began.
Liana was already on the dance floor with Leonard. He looked at her as if she were a riddle.
—"You're beautiful, but you're like a rose with thorns... that drives me crazy. Your scent wraps around me," Leonard whispered proudly.
—"How perverted," Liana replied, keeping her innocent smile— "But I'd like you to be my friend."
—"What kind? The one who sleeps in your bed and knows every mark on your skin, or the one who just cheers you on from afar?"
—"I don't know what you mean. There are only sincere friends who care about each other..."
Leonard laughed.
—"Clever."
Internally, Liana softened.
That man... Alejandro. He doesn't respect his wife. And she didn't even come. But... I feel like they're getting closer to us...
While thinking, her feet followed the rhythm of the waltz without her noticing. Her dance became hypnotic. Soon, all eyes were on them. Some murmured she looked like a goddess, an ice queen. Her blank gaze, her elegance, her perfection… made her the center of the dance floor.
The second most noticed pair was Aurora and Alejandro. The man's face reflected cunning. Evil.
Suddenly, there was a change of partners. Liana unexpectedly found herself in Alejandro's arms. He looked at her with a sly, calculating smile.
—"Miss... you are beautiful. Tempting. I understand you go to the same university as my daughter."
—"Yes," Liana replied, still with her innocent smile— "I study with her."
—"Tell me... what's your price?"
—"My price? There are women more beautiful. For example... the lady you were dancing with, don't you think?"
—"I won't lie. She's beautiful, but you... you're something else. Your face is delicate, angelic. But with a dark aura. If you were a goddess... you'd be of love, of the moon... or maybe of lust."
Liana remained calm.
—"Thanks for the compliments, but I'm the same age as your daughter."
—"But you're not her."
Liana looked him straight in the eyes.
—"You want a price? And you won't stop until I say it... If I run now, people will talk."
—"Exactly," he answered, satisfied.
Liana leaned into his ear.
—"One night with me costs 20% of your shares, expensive jewelry, and a grand mansion."
Alejandro chuckled softly.
—"So expensive... but bold. Like ivy... growing wherever it wants and overshadowing everything it touches."
—"I'm worth more than that," Liana whispered— "If I were to become a courtesan, my purchase value would be 50% of your shares. A few hours with me cost that much. I don't want my dear friend ending up on the streets. What do you think?"
—"Then... few would get to see you, but many would dream of you."
—"Exactly," Liana replied with a dazzling smile that bewitched men and enchanted women.