The ball was magnificent, every corner filled with friends, well-wishers, and the glittering elite of Lixra. Tonight was a celebration unlike any other—the birthday of Kayla Kornels, the only daughter of the powerful and influential Kornels family. The chandeliers sparkled overhead, reflecting off polished marble floors, while orchestral music floated through the air, mingling with laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft murmur of conversation.
Everyone in Lixra knew the Kornels. They were a dynasty, a family whose wealth and influence stretched across continents. Their businesses spanned car manufacturing, global shopping malls branded under KY—an exclusive high-end fashion label catering only to the upper echelons of society—and the Starlight Entertainment empire, which boasted some of the world's most famous actors, actresses, and models. Their reach extended even further: luxury seven-star hotels like The Sunrise, known for opulent décor and impeccable service, and establishments like Mackmillan's Hotel, The Silver Lining Hotel, Klind Café, and LX Restaurant, celebrated for their meticulous attention to taste and presentation.
Amidst this display of wealth and power, Kayla herself was a vision. Dressed in a flowing gown that shimmered under the golden chandeliers, her emerald eyes sparkled with excitement. Beside her stood Aaron, her boyfriend—handsome, tall, and lean, with striking black eyes and sun-kissed blonde hair. He came from a family equally known for their influence, though his reputation painted him as a spoiled, indulgent child of privilege.
"Oh, love, what should I get you for your birthday?" Aaron asked, leaning close. "A yacht, a restaurant, jewelry… name it."
Kayla giggled and pecked his lips, earning an appreciative 'aww' from her friends. "Baby, I wouldn't want anything more. I already have those things. Just a little gift from the heart is enough."
Around them, Kayla's friends mingled, each a statement of style and society. Ellen DeGeneres—no relation to the celebrity—was tall and slender, her chocolate-wine curls framing striking blue eyes. Hailey Baldwin, daughter of a politician, possessed a statuesque blonde elegance and piercing emerald eyes. And then there was Amy Rockwell, a curvaceous girl with a diamond-shaped face that required no enhancement, whose love for indulgence was balanced by her gentle, shy demeanor. At that moment, she was sneakily helping herself to another slice of birthday cake.
"May I have your attention, please?" a deep voice rang through the hall. It was Konstantin Kornels, Kayla's father, striking the rim of a wine glass with his fork. Conversation died down as the crowd turned toward him.
"First of all, I want to thank each of you for honoring us with your presence tonight. Today is the happiest day of my life, for my beautiful Kayla… who is, or should I say, now officially eighteen," he said, pride and affection clear in his tone.
Amy nudged Kayla playfully, earning a soft giggle.
"Zip it, please," Kayla's mother, Scarlett Kornels—formerly Scarlett Lion—chided gently, her youthful face full of elegance. "So today, my husband and I decided to gift our baby girl a yacht, as promised."
Applause erupted. Kayla's cheeks flushed as she covered her face, overwhelmed by the attention and the generosity of the gift.
"Not so fast!" a commanding voice cut through the celebration, slicing the room with tension. Two men in FBI uniforms emerged, guns drawn and aimed directly at the Kornels. The crowd froze.
"You didn't think you could evade the FBI, did you?" one of the agents barked, approaching the stage. "You are under arrest for the illegal transfer of public funds into private accounts and the murder of Governor Nelson Mandela."
The hall erupted in gasps and murmurs. "What?" "Oh my God!" voices echoed, disbelief rippling across the room. A bald, stout man muttered, "Who could have thought?"
"You have the right to remain silent," the agent continued, reading the charges as handcuffs clicked into place. Konstantin and Scarlett were quickly escorted out, pushed toward the awaiting police van.
"Mom! Dad!" Kayla screamed, rushing forward through the stunned crowd, tears welling in her eyes. Police officers blocked her path.
"Please… can I speak to my parents?" she pleaded, her voice trembling.
"Can you let her speak to our daughter first?" Konstantin's calm, unwavering gaze met the officers.
"Oh, I never knew speaking to our daughter could be a crime," Scarlett muttered, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Madam, please—" one officer began.
"Fk you, and fk whatever comes out of your mouth!" Scarlett spat back, unyielding.
"Language, ma'am," another officer warned.
"Fine," Scarlett sighed, her eyes still blazing. "Five minutes."
Within those precious minutes, Konstantin spoke softly to Kayla, brushing tears from her cheeks. "Baby, we're sorry this happened on your birthday. But please… be strong for us, okay? Don't cry."
Kayla's chest heaved as her father smiled at her, a strange serenity in the face of chaos. "Anything, Dad?" she whispered through sobs.
"Be strong," he said, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "And find Kaiden Scott."
"What… who? Dad, I don't know him… I don't know where to find him."
"Time's up," the officer called, and the pair were led away. Flashbulbs popped as paparazzi pressed closer, capturing every moment, feeding the world a narrative of scandal.
Kayla wiped her tears and returned to the party, trying to focus on the laughter, the music, the celebration, though the incident hung like a shadow over the room. Conversations continued around her, but the words were cruel, speculative, judgmental. Even those who had benefited from her parents' generosity whispered assumptions, their admiration replaced by skepticism.
"How can they be so sure it's true? How do they know it isn't a mistake?" she wondered, scanning familiar faces hardened by sudden suspicion.
Kayla sank into a chair, the hum of the party distant in her ears. She had idolized her parents, admired their elegance and the deft, almost legal precision with which they climbed to the top. And yet now, in one instant, it seemed all of that power, all of that influence, could not shield them from accusation.
Her heart pounded with a mixture of fear and determination. Somehow, she would honor her father's request. Somehow, she would find Kaiden Scott. And somehow, she would navigate a world that suddenly seemed less certain, less secure, and far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.
As the party continued around her, with glittering gowns and empty smiles, Kayla felt the first stirrings of something unfamiliar yet necessary: resolve. Whatever lay ahead, she would face it. Alone, if she had to.