Elisa scrolled mindlessly on her phone. She had spent her mornings on usual routines and an aimless search. She had texted Anderson on his email, with little hope, as she knew him like the palm of her hands. He rarely checks his personal emails, but manages hers like it was his. He was in hers 24/7. Wait. That's it!!
She sent a text message to her email, with great hopes. Would he still be going through hers now that she was dead?
She suddenly stumbled across a charity event and 'her husband ' was the patron of the event. Elisa was pretty much interested. Seeing the life that Ashley was living, with zero visitors and people checking up on her, she knew she had to network.
Her hands hurt as she had been holding her phone for too long. Typing with one hand was surely not easy.
She put the phone down, and let her arm rest while she waited for Ethan to return.
She had studied the timings and she did a countdown as she watched the door with stern focus.
"7….6….5…..4….3….2.."
And the door was pushed open, with Ethan walking in, and unbuttoning his collar. His shoes tapped against the floor and his eyes scanned momentarily and landed on her. He gave a curt nod before pulling his eyes away, but Elisa was about to break his routine..
"Dear" she called. " Could you come here for a second please?" She asked. Her nurse knew it was her cue to leave..
Ethan walked to her, and stood opposite her, with his hands tucked in his pocket.
"I see you're the patron of The Starling Arts Gala, and I want to come with you "
Ethan's features shifted as he lifted his brows. "Why is that?"
"The house is empty and I would really-" Ethan was exhausted, and didn't want the conversation to drag on..
"NO"
"Why?"
"We both agreed public display was not allowed for now"
Elisa couldn't help but think that something was wrong with Ashley. Quickly, she said "Yes we did but I-"
"That is enough Ashley. I have to go prepare for the event now" and with that, he left her presence.
Elisa sighed. Ethan was so strict and was hard to deal with. She frowned as she thought of what to do. Events like this could only be accessed through invitations, and since she can't go with her husband, then she wouldn't be able to enter.
The nurse returned with Miso and placed her unto the laps of her owner. She purred as she made herself comfortable, smuggling into Elisa's dress.
"Thank you" she smiled slightly at her nurse..
Minutes later, Ethan came downstairs and out he went.. Elisa watched him with a scorn on her face.
The event was to begin by nine and it was seven forty nine.. Could any magic be done before then?
Elisa decides to drown more in her sorrows by going through the list of guests and people she could likely network with. She sat on the couch with the help of her nurse, with her legs straightened on the couch as well, while the nurse sat down beside her, holding up her phone for her to see.
"Mmn, Jacob Goodwill. He's into arts"
"I beg to differ ma'am" the nurse interjected.
Curiosity popped in Elisa's mind. "Why?"
"I've seen him in the hospital a few times. He's notorious and…" looking around as if to scan whether there was someone, she lowered her voice and continued "I overheard him talking to a woman. He got her pregnant and threatened her to abort the child" pointing at two other guys, she said, "These are his friends. They'll be together tonight "
Elisa hummed in thought. She had been in the industry long enough to know monsters wore expensive suits. Still, knowledge like this was leveraged. The nurse kept scrolling until another name flashed across the screen.
"Evangeline Pierce," Elisa whispered, more to herself than anyone else. The woman ran a gallery in midtown, elegant and respected. Rumors had swirled about her dealings beneath the surface, whispers of laundering and secrets traded behind polished canvases. She confirmed it from her manager back when she made donations to a fundraiser event relating to her movie.
"She might be worth it," Elisa said, her mind spinning. A woman like Evangeline could shield her when suspicions arose. Art was just a cover, after all.
"And this one," the nurse said, scrolling to another. "Leonard D'Angelo. He's a banker. He knows where bodies are buried—financially speaking. I've seen him a few times too. He's quiet and reserved. But… people listen when he speaks."
Elisa's lips tugged into a sly smile. She didn't need to gather too many allies at once. One was enough for the night.. Allies to watch, test, and carefully weave into her plan. If only she was going ..
She was about to give up the search when her phone buzzed, and a new notification. Elisa blinked at it, stunned.
The Starling Arts Gala cordially invites Miss. Ashley Davis to tonight's event.
Her mouth parted. She hadn't expected this. The nurse smiled brightly upon seeing it too. "You've been invited," the nurse said. As if remembering her manners, she added "ma'am"
Elisa's pulse quickened.
The nurse looked wary. "Are you sure about this, ma'am?"
Elisa's jaw hardened. "Yes. And you will be my chaperone "
...
By eight twenty something, Elisa was in front of the dressing mirror, with her hair being done by the nurse.. She smiled small as she watched her reflection. A new face, new identity.
By nine sharp, the car pulled up to the glittering entrance of the Starling Arts Center. Paparazzi cameras flashed like strobe lights, capturing the glitterati as they strolled past velvet ropes. The gala was alive with chatter, champagne, and dazzling gowns.
When Elisa emerged in her chair, the crowd stilled. Eyes turned. Whispers started.
"Who is she?"
"Is that Ashley Davis?"
"I've never seen her at one of these before…"
She felt every stare prick at her skin, but she lifted her chin higher, letting the weight of her silence speak for itself. She was a star in her previous life, so attention like this was something she grew used to, so tonight, she would command the room.
Her eyes scanned the room. Her targets were already here. She let them have their fun, letting the night pass until it was finally time to make a move. She saw Ethan, but she wasn't there for him.
Leonard D'Angelo stood near the champagne tower, speaking quietly with two older men in tailored suits. Evangeline Pierce drifted through the gallery displays, her dark gown shimmering like ink under the lights, surrounded by admirers.
Elisa needed to get their attention without having to approach them or interrupt their conversation.
Elisa's gaze swept the room, dissecting each corner. She knew the art of power: it was never about chasing, always about drawing. Predators respected prey that bit back.
Her first play began near Leonard D'Angelo. She had the nurse guide her closer to the champagne tower. At the precise moment the waiter wobbled under the weight of a silver tray, Elisa shifted her chair slightly, bumping just enough to steady him.
Crystal flutes clinked, disaster averted.
"Careful," someone muttered.
Leonard looked up, noticing. His eyes, sharp and calculating, lingered on her a second longer. She offered a faint smile, as though nothing had happened, and turned away. She didn't want to give off the impression that she was after him.
Leonard's companions leaned in, whispering. He excused himself a moment later and drifted toward her direction.
Leonard, stopping just beside her chair, glass in hand said "You saved a small fortune's worth of crystal tonight. Not the sort of reflex I'd expect from someone seated."
Elisa lifted her chin, meeting his gaze evenly. "Reflex has little to do with legs, Mr. D'Angelo. It's about knowing when to move and when to stay still."
A flicker of amusement crossed his face.
"Interesting. Most people would've basked in the gratitude."
Elisa smiled ghostly. "Most people mistake attention for currency. I prefer more… enduring investments."
Leonard studied her longer, intrigued by the deliberate choice of words. For the first time in a long while, someone spoke his own language back to him, without flattery.
"Enduring investments, hm? Then perhaps we should compare portfolios sometime."
He slips his card subtly onto the table beside her champagne flute. He didn't thrust it at her, but left it like an invitation she could either pick up or ignore, and of course she did.
Then she turned to exchange a knowing look with her nurse.
Next was Evangeline Pierce. The woman was surrounded by people who either admire her or pretenders. Elisa couldn't compete in that circle, but she didn't need to. She leaned to the nurse and murmured instructions. Moments later, the nurse "accidentally" dropped the clutch right at Evangeline's heels.
"Oh, forgive me," the nurse stammered, stooping.
Evangeline glanced down, slightly annoyed, until Elisa spoke up in a smooth, amused voice: "Don't mind her. She's still getting to keep up with a social elite as myself."
Evangeline's gaze sharpened, then softened. Here was a woman in a chair, commanding the floor with effortless wit. She leaned closer, curiosity alight. "And who might you be?"
Elisa didn't answer directly. She only tilted her chin and said, "Someone who appreciates your work, Ms. Pierce. Especially the pieces you don't display."
That froze the gallery queen for a second.Elisa had her attention.
Evangeline's eyes narrowed with intrigue. "You've seen the pieces I don't display?"
Elisa flashed a sly smile, voice steady. "I make it my business to notice what others try to hide."
Evangeline studied her, then taking a measured sip of champagne, she said, "Noticing and understanding are very different things. Most who peek behind the curtain don't live long enough to critique the show."
Elisa met her gaze as she replied, "Good thing I've always had a talent for survival. Besides, some curtains are better left closed… unless the person pulling them knows how to keep secrets."
Evangeline chuckled low, a sound laced with both amusement and warning.
"You don't strike me as a woman who enjoys silence." she said.
"On the contrary. Silence is useful. It tells you who's willing to speak first. And usually, that's the one with the most to lose."
There's a long pause. Then Evangeline's lips curved into a knowing smirk.
"Clever. Dangerous, even. I like dangerous women."
With that, she produces a slim, black card from her clutch and sets it delicately on Elisa's armrest.
"Call me when you're ready to trade more than compliments."
Clarissa gold hair, glittering gown, venom in her voice appeared like a viper. Elisa knew her and she didn't like her one bit.
"Ashley Davis," she purred, loud enough for nearby guests to hear. "How brave of you to show up tonight. Though I suppose when your only accessory is… pity, you must make an appearance."
Gasps were heard. A cruel chuckle or two.
Elisa smiled slowly, raising her glass of champagne with a steady hand. "Pity? Oh, darling, that's what I felt when I saw you in last season's couture. You must be so committed to recycling."
The laughter this time was sharper, and aimed at Clarissa. Color flared in her cheeks. Evangeline smirked behind her glass. Leonard, standing a few feet away now, outright chuckled.
Then, a man stepped from the shadows. He was older, and commanding, with salt and pepper hair and a presence that silenced the chatter.
"Miss Davis," he said warmly. "I've been waiting to meet you." Elisa realised how little to no one knew Ashley was married to Ethan Walker as they all referred to her as 'Miss' or 'Davis.'
The crowd hushed. Elisa blinked once, masking her surprise with poised serenity. Whoever he was, he wasn't on her list. But the interest in his eyes promised one thing: a new player had just entered the board.
Elisa was so exhausted. It was difficult playing tough, but it was something she could easily get used to, as fitting into roles was her specialty.
Ethan's driver walked up to them. "Mr Ethan asked that you come, as it's time to head home"
'I thought he didn't want us to be seen together? This man was complicated' Elisa thought, but shrugged as she nodded to her nurse in approval. Her nurse wheeled her out and the white car was waiting in front. Ethan came out of the side for reserved authorities only. He was looking dashing and usual. Ethan's driver opened the car for him, but instead of entering first, he walked up to Elisa and lifted her up effortlessly, placing her inside the car before entering too.
Elisa was stunned and her cheeks flushed unknowingly.
Meanwhile, a shadow was peeking at them in astonishment, and as the car rolled away, the person came into view. Clarissa.