Emily barely had time to process it before an invitation arrived. Benjamin Gomez was getting engaged, and the party would be held at the top of a five-star hotel.

It was the kind of event where nothing was left to chance. Every detail sparkled, from the soft golden lights to the lush arrangements of red and white roses. Right at the entrance, a rose arch made a bold statement, and a sign with Benjamin Gomez and Isabella Austin's names welcomed guests inside. The first thing you noticed was a champagne tower stacked sky-high. Around the room, buffet tables were covered with all kinds of appetizers and desserts, most of them sweet enough to give you a sugar rush just by looking at them.

By the time Emily showed up, the place was already packed. Everyone looked like they belonged on a magazine cover, and Emily fit right in.

As soon as she walked in, a few men couldn't help but watch her. She wore a silky off-the-shoulder dress that hugged her waist and fell gracefully to her ankles. The dress showed off her slender figure, and with her tall, curvy silhouette and the hint of makeup on her face, she had a quiet confidence that drew people's attention.

Tonight, Emily came solo. No assistant. Elizabeth didn't tag along, either. She just walked in, found the dessert table, and helped herself to a bite-sized pastry.

She glanced down at her phone, thumb hovering over her chat with the policewoman. They were still figuring out when to make their move. Emily did a quick calculation and typed back, "Half an hour."

The reply came almost instantly: "OK."

That morning, Emily had dropped by the police station to talk about Isabella Austin and Juliana Silva. The officers were shocked by what she said. The case had been closed months ago, and most of them had already forgotten all about it. When Emily brought it up again, they thought she had to be mistaken. Isabella Austin was officially declared dead at the hospital. No one could believe she might have faked her death, disappeared overseas, and come back with a new identity.

But Emily wouldn't let it go. She was more determined than even the victim's own family, who had all but given up. She'd even brought along a DNA test.

Once the police saw the results, they finally started to believe her. They agreed to reopen the case.

Afterward, Rose Ward bowed deeply to Emily. "Thank you. If it weren't for you, Isabella Austin might have gotten away with everything."

Emily gently straightened her up. “You don't need to thank me. I'm just doing what I should."

Rose looked at her for a long moment, her curiosity getting the better of her. She'd wanted to ask before, and now she finally did. "Emily, do you have a grudge against Isabella Austin?"

Did she? Absolutely.

Emily didn't want to get into it. She just nodded and said, "Come on. Make sure you arrive with the police."

Rose could tell Emily didn't want to talk about it. She nodded and left it at that.

Back in the ballroom, Emily put her phone away when a waiter showed her to her seat. She glanced up at the stage. Benjamin Gomez and Isabella Austin stood together, dressed to perfection, smiling for everyone. They looked like a fairytale couple, exactly how you'd imagine on such a big day.

Emily had been to more than a few engagement parties like this. The routine never really changed. She kept her head down, scrolling through her phone, bored out of her mind. The person next to her stood up for a second, then sat down again.

She didn't know many people here, and she had never seen the person beside her before. She barely paid attention, eyes still fixed on her phone.

Until the person next to her spoke up.

"Emily Blair."

Emily's brow knitted. She turned off her screen and looked up.

Of course. It was Andrew Lane.