Transmigrator vs Regressor [Rules of Revenge Book 1]

Chapter3

The Lin Group Gala was a sea of crystal chandeliers, wine glasses stacked on top of each other, wealthy families, business people, and whispered scandals and gossip. As the Qin family entered, the crowd parted like how Moses parted the Red Sea. In their minds, Arisa was the shining star, the "true" daughter in spirit if not in blood. None of them knew yet of the existence of the biological daughter. Annabeth, walking three paces behind, was supposed to be the blemish of their perfect family, the charity case.

"Smile, Annabeth," Madam Qin hissed over her shoulder. "Try not to look like you’re calculating the cost of the silverware. Everyone will know that you're nothing more than a country bumpkin."

Annabeth tilted her head, her charcoal silk gown catching the light. "I don’t need to calculate it, Mother. It’s 1940s French silver, though the plating on the dessert spoons is surprisingly thin for a gala worthy of the Lin Group."

Madam Qin stiffened, but Arisa’s soft giggle cut through the tension. "Sister is so funny! She must have read that in a magazine or newspaper back in the village."

At the center of the ballroom stood a man who didn't belong to the typical hierarchy—he sat above it. Lucas Vane. The CEO of the Vane Consortium and a man rumored to have a heart carved from obsidian.

In her past life, Annabeth had watched from the shadows as Arisa tried to "charm" him. The System had failed then, but Arisa had blamed it on Lucius’s "cold personality". Annabeth just laughed at the thought. Poor Arisa. Trying so hard to be a protagonist that she failed to soften the heart of the coldest person known.

"There he is," Julius whispered, his eyes gleaming with greed. "If we can get Lucas Vane to invest in the New Harbor project, the Qin family will be untouchable. Arisa, little sister, you'll be our secret weapon. Win his heart."

Arisa adjusted her white gown, her [Fate Swap System] humming at full power. Annabeth could almost see the golden haze thickening around her sister.

[System Notification: Target 'Lucas Vane' detected. Passive Charm activated. Success probability: 85%.]

Arisa glided forward, her face a mask of practiced perfect innocence. "Mr. Vane? I hope I’m not interrupting. I’m Arisa Qin. I’ve admired your recent acquisition of the—"

Lucas didn't even turn his head. He continued swirling his wine, his gaze fixed on a painting across the room. "You are disturbing my time. And your filthy perfume is giving me a headache."

The golden haze around Arisa visibly shuddered. The surrounding socialites gasped. The "Perfect Daughter" had been snubbed by the Lucas Vane.

"Arisa is just being approachable!" Silas Qin stepped forward to defend his favorite sister, his face reddening from anger. "Mr. Vane, surely a man of your stature can appreciate—"

"I appreciate silence and competence," Lucas interrupted, his voice like velvet over gravel. "So far, the way you acted around me, your family has provided neither."

Annabeth stepped out from behind her brothers. She didn't approach Lucius with a smile or a plea. Instead, she walked to the small table beside him and picked up a discarded program.

"The New Harbor project is nothing more than a sinking ship, Mr. Vane," she said, her voice calm and clear enough to carry to the nearby tables. "The soil liquefaction reports were falsified by the Qin engineers three weeks ago. If you invest in this project, you won't be buying a harbor; you'll be buying a lawsuit."

The silence that followed was deafening.

"Annabeth! Shut up!" Julius grabbed her arm, his fingers digging in. "She’s insane! She’s been living in the countryside, she doesn't know what she's—"

"Let her go," Lucas commanded. His eyes, sharp and predatory, finally landed on Annabeth. He ignored the rest of the Qins as if they were background noise. "How do you know about the liquefaction reports? Those are internal documents."

Annabeth glanced at her phone. A message from an unknown number—'QZY'—had flashed on her screen only minutes ago with a single PDF link.

"Let’s just say I have a very observant informant," Annabeth replied, holding Lucas’s gaze. "And unlike the rest of my family, I prefer a partner who values the truth over a pretty face."

Lucas stepped closer, effectively shielding Annabeth from her brothers. He reached out and took the program from her hand, his fingers brushing hers.

"A partner?" Lucas smirked. "That’s a bold word for a girl who just recently returned to high society."

"I’m not looking for a savior, Mr. Vane. I’m looking for a witness," Annabeth whispered.

She turned back to her family. Her mother looked ready to faint, and Arisa was trembling, her "Fate Swap" aura flickering like a dying lightbulb.

"Father, Julius," Annabeth said loudly enough for the surrounding guests to hear. "I think you should leave before the Lin Group realizes you've been trying to sell them a fraudulent project. It would be... embarrassing for the Qin name."

"You—you ungrateful—" Julius started, but Lucas Vane raised a single eyebrow, and the eldest Qin brother choked on his words.

"I think the lady is right," Lucas said, his voice cold. "I’ll be looking into those reports tonight. If she’s telling the truth, the Vane Consortium will be blacklisting the Qin family, effectively immediately."

......

As the Qins were forced to retreat in humiliation—Arisa’s face was streaked with very real tears—Annabeth remained by the bar.

Lucas leaned in, his shadow towering over her. "You just set your own house on fire, Annabeth Qin. Why is that?"

"Because," Annabeth said, taking a sip of the champagne she hadn't been allowed to have in her previous life. "I’m not planning on living in it anymore. They're nothing more than acid corroding my skin."

Her phone vibrated in her clutch.

From: Unknown Nice work, little bird. The harbor project was a nice touch. Now look at the fountain in the garden. There’s a gift waiting for you. — A.

Annabeth looked toward the garden, a small, dark smile playing on her lips. The revenge had only just begun, and for the first time, she wasn't the one being hunted.