LYDIA


    I walked up to the stage with my head held high, a proud smile stretching across my face. The hall gave a round of apuse as all eyes fell on me. Just as I wanted. The power at that moment was truly intoxicating.


    I could feel Mason’s gaze on me; he must be so confused and having some existential crisis. I haven’t looked at him just yet. No, I wanted to savor this. Instead, I moved with confidence.


    The glow of the lights caught the ne resting against my corbone-the same ne his mother, Victoria, had desperately wanted. I had attended the auction to kill time, but upon seeing Victoria and how desperate she was for the ne, I just couldn’t let her have it.


    I finally turned my head slightly, locking eyes with Mason first. His face was unreadable, as though he was just paralyzed in a state of shock. Once we locked eyes, he looked like it took all in him to restrain himself froming after me. I stared at his shocked expression and smirked.


    Good.


    Next, my gaze slid to Julia. Her eyes were fixed on the ne, her lips slightly parted. She obviously knew it was worth it. Not just her but everyone was gaping at it.


    I turned away from the couple and faced the crowd, adjusting the microphone slightly. The murmurs died down, reced by an expectant hush.


    “Good evening, everyone,” I said smoothly. “Thank you all for being here tonight for such an important asion. Kavas Corporation has worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life, and today, we finally unveil what we have built.”


    “Thispany is not just about business,” I continued. “It is about changing the power shifter. A new era. And I am honored to lead that change.”


    I felt Mason’s stare sharpen, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of meeting his eyes again. Not yet.


    I finished my speech with practiced grace, thanking my team and the partners who had supported the project. The apuse that followed was thunderous, but I barely heard it. I had already moved on.


    I descended the stage, immediately surrounded by people. Business executives, investors, journalists—they all wanted a piece of me. Some wanted an interview, some wanted to discuss potential partnerships, and others were just there to see the woman who had managed to shake the great Mason Woods.


    Mason himself tried to approach. I saw himing towards me with that same shocked expression. Only this time, his jaw was tight, and his fists were clenched at his sides.


    Not yet, Mason.


    I veered to the left, stepping into a conversation with a well-known media mogul before he could reach me. He stopped in his tracks, clearly irritated but unable to make a scene.


    I pretended not to notice.


    “Miss Brooks,” one reporter pushed forward, microphone in hand. “Your sudden rise to power has caught the world’s attention. Some say you came out of nowhere. What do you have to say about that?”


    I smiled slightly, my eyes sharp. “Nothing happens overnight,” I said. “This has been years in the making. I simply waited for the right moment.”


    Mason was watching me. I knew that. I could feel it.


    Another journalist chimed in. “There’s been a lot of spection about your identity. Many wondered why you remained anonymous for so long.”


    I tilted my head slightly. “Does it matter?”


    “Well,” the reporter hesitated, then continued, “some believed you were hiding something. Others thought you were… too beautiful for the world to handle.” The crowd chuckled. I smirked.


    “I suppose that’s for you to decide,” I replied smoothly. “But I do enjoy a little mystery. It keeps things interesting, don’t you think?” Moreughter. More eyes on me.


    I gave a few more answers before smoothly excusing myself. There were people I wanted to speak to, and others I wanted to ignore entirely. Mason, of course, fell into thetter category.


    I moved through the hall, always just out of his reach. Every time he turned, I was already somewhere else, deep in conversation, shaking hands, smiling at someone new.


    He was growing frustrated. I could tell.


    As the event continued, I continued to move, continued to speak, and kept Mason at arm’s length. I could imagine the emotional turmoil that was going on in his head right now. He had spent years thinking he had seeded in murdering me.


    Let him suffer a little longer.


    The night was mine, and I intended to enjoy every second of it.


    But I do need a break. The night had been a sess so far, but the attention was overwhelming. People are always watching, whispering, trying to get close to me. It was exhausting, but also exactly what I wanted. I walked into the restroom, needing a brief moment to myself.


    I adjusted the ne in the mirror, my fingers brushing the cool surface. If only Victoria was here to see it. Staring at her buttered expression alone would make this entire event even more worth it.


    Just as I was about to leave, I heard a voice.


    “I know, I know. He’s taking his time, but Mason is definitely going to propose soon.”


    I froze. The voice sounded familiar.


    “He’s just been so busy, you know?” she continued, and I finally remembered who owned that voice. Julia Everett. Mason’s girlfriend.


    I quickly entered a stall and waited as I heard the door open and footstepsing towards the mirror. “But we’ve talked about it. I mean, obviously, I’ll say yes. It’s just a matter of time.” I smirked, leaning slightly against the wall. Interesting.


    “I mean, Mason and I are perfect together,” Julia went on. “Everyone knows it. And once we’re engaged, no one will even think about-”


    She stopped abruptly. I heard heels clicking against the floor. A few secondster, the door to my stall opened, and I came face to face with Julia.


    She didn’t seem as shocked as Victoria and Mason when I was presented earlier so it simply meant she didn’t recognize me.


    Not at all.


    She was wearing a fitted red dress, and her makeup was wless, but there was something about her expression that told me


    she was desperate for validation.


    Probably spoiled rotten from birth as a means to fill up the whole the presence of a parent should’ve.


    “Oh! I’m sorry,” she said quickly, stepping back. I lifted an eyebrow. “No problem.” Julia smiled, straightening her posture.


    “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Julia.” She held out her hand. I took it firmly and with a smile as I thought of how awkward our rtionship should be. Ex-wife to girlfriend and all.


    “Alissa,” I said smoothly. Julia’s smile widened. “Oh, you’re the CEO! Wow, it’s an honor to meet you. Mason and I were just talking about how impressive thisunch is.”


    I tilted my head. “Oh? Mason was talking about me?” Julia waved her hand. “Well, yes. He’s very interested in yourpany. He’s always looking for new business opportunities.”


    I nodded, my smile never faltering. “Of course. I hear Mr. Mason has always been… ambitious.” Julia chuckled. “That’s one way to put it.” I saw her nce at my ne, but she said nothing.


    “Well, I’ll let you freshen up,” she said. “It was really nice meeting you.” I gave her a small nod. “Likewise.”


    She walked out, her heels clicking against the floor.


    I waited a few seconds before stepping out as well. My mind was already working, storing away the little information I had gathered. Mason was nning to propose to his little girlfriend, huh?


    Victoria is definitely going to agree with this marriage. Julia seems to be her ideal daughter-inw.


    She’s obviously a spoiled bratty pushover, and her father is the CEO of G&C’s corporation. Their chain of business is quite different from ours, but with an alliance, it could still be of very much help to Woods Enterprises.


    As soon as I stepped into the hallway, a strong hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back into the restroom. Before I could react, my back hit the wall, and Mason was standing in front of me, his body inches from mine.


    I tensed, my hands pressing against his chest. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I hissed. His eyes were dark, his jaw clenching and unclenching. He was breathing heavily, his fingers gripping my wrist so tight they might leave a scar


    “You,” he said, his voice low. “You’re Lydia.” I felt my heart pound against my ribs, but I didn’t let it show on my face. I lifted my chin, meeting his re with an icy stare of my own. “Mr. Woods, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”


    His grip tightened. “Don’t y games with me.” I pushed him off me andnded a resounding p against his cheek. He stumbled back slightly but didn’t let gopletely.


    “Show some respect, Mr. Mason,” I said coldly. “I could sue you for this.”


    His eyes were filled with confusion, desperation and anger. But then it softened as he gripped my hand. “You’re Lydia,” he said again; this time, his tone sounded pleading. “How could you have been alive all this while and not reach out at all?”


    I stared at him for a moment before stepping closer. “No,” I whispered. “I’m Alissa Brooks. Whoever Lydia is to you? She’s


    dead.”


    “Not whoever. I don’t know why you’re doing this, Lydia, or if you probably had some sort of loss of memory, but you are my wife, and five years ago, I thought you died in that fire.”


    I clenched my jaw tightly, hearing him refer to me as his wife. “I don’t have any idea who Lydia is. The next time you corner me like this, Mr. Mason, I’ll file a restraining order and sue you for defamation.” and with that, I left.