The invitation was gold-foiled, sealed with a wax emblem of the Woods family crest—an eagle perched atop a serpent.
Ella stared at it.
"It's a party," Ryan said flatly. "My father's 'peace offering.' Which means there's poison in the punch."
She held the envelope like it might explode. "So we're not going, right?"
He smirked bitterly. "We have to. It's not just a party—it's a public performance. If we don't show, it means we're hiding something."
Ella folded her arms. "Aren't we?"
"Not anymore."
****
That Night – The Grand Ballroom, Hotel Oro, Downtown Mexico City
Luxury had a scent—old money, expensive perfume, and polished marble.
Ella wore a red silk gown Ryan had bought her last-minute. It hugged her in ways that made her nervous—but Ryan hadn't stopped staring.
His tux fit him like sin. Jet black. Hair slicked back. Jaw sharp enough to cut glass.
They looked like a power couple.
But beneath the surface?
They were standing on a landmine.
Every guest seemed to know it.
Eyes followed them. Whispers floated like perfume. Ella squeezed Ryan's hand.
He leaned in. "Remember—smile like you're in love. Walk like nothing can break you."
"I don't have to fake either of those things."
He blinked.
Then gave her a look that almost broke him.
****
Inside the Ballroom
They were greeted like royalty.
Ryan's father, Arthur Woods, stood at the center of it all—silver-haired, glass in hand, arrogance thick as his cologne.
"Ryan," he said smoothly, "didn't think you'd show."
"I'm full of surprises," Ryan replied, voice cool.
Arthur's gaze shifted to Ella.
"Ella Martinez," he said, smiling. "The girl causing so much… conversation."
She smiled back, fire behind her eyes. "I didn't realize the truth was such a threat."
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"You should enjoy the party," he said, tone silken but cold. "It's the last celebration of your innocence."
And with that, he vanished into the crowd.
****
Later – The Balcony
Ella needed air.
The ballroom was a battlefield in disguise—champagne glasses clinking while knives gleamed in smiles.
She stepped outside into the night breeze, exhaling.
"Regretting this already?" a voice said.
It was Clarissa.
In a black velvet dress, she looked like trouble wrapped in silk.
Ella didn't respond.
Clarissa sipped her drink. "I warned you, you know. Ryan's world doesn't change. It swallows people like you."
"Then maybe it's time someone drowned it instead."
Clarissa raised a brow. "Brave. But messy."
A waiter passed by. Clarissa dropped something small in his tray without anyone noticing.
Ella caught it.
"What was that?"
Clarissa gave a sly smile. "A message. You'll find out soon."
*****
Inside – 11:45 PM
Just before midnight, Arthur tapped a glass.
"Everyone," he said. "A toast."
Ella stood beside Ryan, hands cold.
"To family," Arthur said. "To legacy. And to truth—however inconvenient it may be."
Everyone clapped.
Then the projector lit up.
And Ella's blood ran cold.
Photos.
Dozens.
Of her.
Walking out of Clarissa's place.
Holding the confidential file.
Crying in Ryan's arms.
Even kissing him—private moments stolen by a lens.
On the screen, text appeared:
"Manipulative. Opportunist. Gold digger."
Gasps.
Then murmurs.
Ryan stepped forward, seething. "What the hell is this?"
Arthur smiled, wolf-like. "Just showing the truth. The girl who's been playing you."
Ella's voice cracked. "You set me up…"
"No, sweetheart," Arthur said. "You set yourself up by digging where you didn't belong."
Ella turned to Ryan, trembling.
"Do you believe him?"
The room fell silent.
Time slowed.
Ryan looked at her—and everything she saw in his eyes was not doubt.
It was rage.
At his father.
He turned to Arthur and growled, "You've made your last mistake."
Then he grabbed Ella's hand.
"We're leaving."
But they didn't even reach the doors before security blocked them.
"Sir's orders," one said coldly.
Arthur's voice echoed behind them. "Ryan, you've always wanted to know the full truth? Let me show you something."
He pointed to a man in the corner.
The crowd parted.
Ella froze.
Ryan went pale.
Because the man stepping forward was…
The family lawyer.
But he wasn't just that.
He was the last person who saw Evelyn alive.
"Tell him," Arthur commanded.
The man looked at Ryan. Then at Ella. Then back.
"…Your mother didn't die in the crash."
A silence fell like a bomb.
"She was alive for three days. In a clinic. And your father paid to keep her hidden."
Ryan's chest rose and fell. "What?"
"She begged to see you. Begged for someone to tell you."
Ella covered her mouth.
"And when she wouldn't stop?" the lawyer added quietly. "He paid to end her suffering."
Ryan lunged.
But three guards caught him mid-air.
"GET OFF ME!" he roared. "YOU KILLED HER! YOU—"
Ella screamed. "Let him GO!"
The guests scattered in terror.
The ballroom turned chaos.
And in the middle of it all, Ella grabbed a bottle from a table, smashed it, and slashed at the nearest guard.
Blood. Screams.
Ryan broke free.
They ran.
Out the door.
Into the street.
Ella's heels snapped, but she didn't stop.
He pulled her into a car. Started the engine.
"Where are we going?" she shouted.
Ryan's face was stone.
"
To end this."
*****