*Chapter 18: The Queen's Gambit*
The night of the charity gala arrived, shrouded in glamour… and danger.
Elena stood before the grand mirror in her private suite, slipping on a deep crimson gown that hugged her curves like a second skin. Red — the colour of power, war… and betrayal. Her dark hair was pinned high, a diamond-studded dagger hidden in her sleek bun. Everything tonight was intentional — her look, her timing, her silence.
She wasn't just attending a gala.
She was walking into a trap — with full awareness.
Downstairs, guests poured in. Politicians, billionaires, underground leaders, all smiled and sipped champagne under crystal chandeliers. Somewhere among them, Sofia moved freely, laughing, shaking hands — the traitor wearing a mask of loyalty.
But Elena had played this game too long to be outwitted.
"Is the team in place?" she whispered into her earpiece.
Marco's voice replied smoothly, "Yes. East wing, rooftop, and west balcony. We have every exit monitored. Lorenzo hasn't arrived yet, but we intercepted his last call. He's close."
Elena's heels clicked against the marble as she descended the stairs, every guest turning to admire the Queen of the Underworld. But her eyes were locked on one person only — Sofia.
Sofia's smile faltered for a split second.
Just enough for Elena to know — the snake felt exposed.
"Dear sister," Elena greeted sweetly, embracing her. "You look… lovely."
"As do you," Sofia replied, tightening the hug. "Let's enjoy tonight. No business talk."
"Oh, but sister," Elena whispered into her ear, "tonight is *all* about business."
Before Sofia could react, Marco's voice cracked through the earpiece: "Lorenzo has entered from the back. Target in sight."
Elena turned, glass in hand, raising it high.
"A toast," she declared to the crowd. "To loyalty… and to lessons learned."
The lights flickered. Gasps echoed.
Then — silence.
In that brief darkness, teams moved. Guns were drawn. By the time the lights came back on, Lorenzo's men were disarmed and surrounded.
Elena approached Sofia slowly, crowd parting like the sea.
"I gave you power, Sofia. I gave you protection. And you gave me betrayal."
Sofia trembled. "Elena, I—"
"No," Elena cut her off coldly. "You chose this."
She turned to her guards. "Take her to the black room. I'll deal with her myself."
As Sofia was dragged away, Elena looked out at her stunned guests.
"Now then," she said, calm and deadly, "who else wants to play Queen?"
The hall stayed silent.
And once again, Elena reminded the world: you don't cross the Queen and expect mercy.