Reborn To Rule The Capital

CHARITY GALA

The grand ballroom of the Capital Hotel was blindingly bright. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a sharp glow over the diamond necklaces and expensive suits of the city's richest families. The air smelled of heavy perfume, roasted champagne, and old money. Everyone was smiling, laughing, and clinking their glasses together, pretending to be best friends while secretly waiting for each other to fail.

Seraphina walked beside Julian, her hand resting lightly on his arm. Every muscle in her body felt tight. She hated this place. In her past life, she would always hide in a corner during these events, terrified of saying the wrong thing and embarrassing her father. She used to blend into the background like a shadow.

But tonight, she kept her head high, watching the room with a cold, steady gaze.

Across the ballroom, she spotted her stepmother, Victoria, and her step-sister, Eloise. They were surrounded by a group of wealthy socialites, laughing softly and sipping their drinks. Eloise looked absolutely beautiful in her pastel pink gown, her wide, watery eyes making her look like a helpless angel who could never hurt a fly.

"Oh, Victoria, your daughter is just a darling," an older, wealthy woman gushed, patting Eloise on the hand. "She has such a sweet, pure heart."

"Thank you, Carol," Victoria replied, her voice smooth and graceful. "Eloise always thinks of others before herself. She is a true blessing."

Seraphina watched them with a bitter, raw disgust burning deep in her chest. She knew the truth. She knew the ugly, rotten reality behind those fake, beautiful smiles.

A moment later, a wealthy young woman named Clara, a rival socialite who had been getting a lot of attention from the media lately, walked past Eloise, wearing a stunning, custom-made white gown. A dark flash of pure, ugly jealousy crossed Eloise’s face for a fraction of a second before her sweet mask slipped back on.

Seraphina quietly stepped away from Julian, pretending to adjust her shoe, and moved closer to the pillars behind her family. She wanted to see just how malicious her step-sister could be when the cameras weren't looking.

As Clara walked away toward the main stage, Eloise leaned close to Victoria’s ear. Her sweet, angelic voice instantly turned into a low, raspy hiss dripping with venom.

"Look at her," Eloise whispered, her eyes fixed on Clara’s dress. "She thinks she owns the room just because of that gown. It’s pathetic. Mother, I want her ruined before the main speeches start."

Victoria smiled warmly at a passing guest, but her lips barely moved as she whispered back to her daughter. "Don't worry, my love. I already spoke to one of the waiters. He is going to spill a full glass of red wine down the back of her dress in exactly five minutes. She will have to leave the gala in total shame."

Eloise giggled, a sound that made Seraphina’s skin crawl. It was the exact same cruel, evil laugh Seraphina had heard right before she died in her past life. Eloise clapped her hands together gently, turning back to the crowd with her fake, wide eyes, pretending to be a pure angel once again.

Seeing her sister’s true, wicked nature so clearly made Seraphina’s stomach turn. A wave of raw, choking anger flared up inside her, making it hard to breathe. The fake smiles, the hidden knives, the endless lies, it was too much. She needed to get away from them before the hatred broke through her calm mask.

"Julian," Seraphina said softly, turning back to her fiancé who was busy bragging about his business to a group of investors. "I am going to get a glass of water. I will be right back."

"Sure, sure, go ahead," Julian waved his hand carelessly, not even looking at her. He didn't care where she went, as long as she wasn't bothering his networking.

Seraphina turned and walked fast through the crowded ballroom. She didn't water, she just needed to escape the heavy, suffocating air of the main hall. She pushed through a set of heavy velvet curtains at the back of the room, entering a quiet, dimly lit hallway that led to the restricted VIP terrace.

The terrace was dark and completely empty. The cool, crisp night air hit her face, instantly calming the wild fire burning in her veins. She walked out onto the stone balcony, gripping the cold iron railing with both hands. She took a deep, desperate breath of clean air, closing her eyes. She forced herself to process the heavy, raw emotions shaking her body. She was really back. She was really going to destroy them all.

Lost in her dark thoughts, Seraphina turned around quickly to head back before Julian noticed she was gone.

But the terrace was too dark, and her mind was too distracted.

Thud.

She slammed hard into a broad, solid chest. It felt like walking straight into a stone wall.

Seraphina gasped, her foot slipping on the smooth stone floor. She lost her balance, her evening bag slipping from her hand as she began to fall backward into the darkness.

Before she could hit the ground, a large, powerful hand shot out from the shadows. The strong fingers gripped her waist with terrifying speed and absolute strength, yanking her firmly back up against a tall, imposing frame.

Seraphina’s breath caught in her throat. Wrapped in a tight, unyielding hold, she looked up through the dim light. Standing right over her was a massive, dangerous silhouette. Even in the shadows, she could feel a heavy, suffocating wave of pure power radiating from him, a dark, untouchable presence that made the entire high-society gala downstairs feel like a childish game.