Chapter 2

Pulling a black silk slip dress from the wardrobe, Aria got dressed, pinned her wavy hair up, and walked up the stairs from the medical bay to the main deck. Estill stood waiting by the gangway, holding out a new smartphone.

"Madam, the car is ready."

Hearing the title "Madam," Aria rubbed the tip of her nose, took the phone, and walked down the gangway in her stilettos without looking back. A black Maybach was waiting at the dock, its driver already holding the rear door open. She slid into the back seat.

As the car sped down the coastal highway, she leaned back against the leather seat and tapped the phone screen. Press releases from Coffey Industries flooded the news feed.

In Midtown Manhattan, crystal chandeliers blazed inside the top-floor grand ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria. Jax dressed in a bespoke white tuxedo, had his arm wrapped tightly around Genie 's waist, smiling smoothly before a wall of flashing cameras. Genie wore the limited-edition couture gown originally tailored for Aria, a massive diamond ring sparkling on her finger as she leaned shyly against Jax's chest.

A tabloid reporter shoved a microphone toward Jax.

"Mr. Coffey, following the rumors of Miss Aria's disappearance, are you officially announcing your engagement to Miss Genie tonight?"

Jax put on a pained expression, though calculation gleamed in his eyes.

"I am heartbroken over Aria's accident, but the Dale family trust fund needs a stable leader. Genie is the most suitable person to take over."

Genie squeezed out two tears, resting her head on Jax's shoulder.

"My cousin's passing breaks my heart. I will take good care of Jax and manage the family shares in her place."

In the corner of the ballroom, several Manhattan socialites clinked their champagne glasses together.

"That brainless D-list actress Aria died at the perfect time, didn't she? Otherwise, how could Genie climb into her spot?" a socialite in a red dress mocked.

"I heard Aria's twenty percent trust shares are being transferred straight to Coffey Industries through this marriage. Jax really knows how to play the game."

"Well, Aria was always a stupid bimbo who only knew how to buy tabloid clout. Getting played by her own fiancé and her cousin serves her right."

On stage, Jax raised his champagne flute to toast the room and finalize the engagement. Suddenly, a deafening boom echoed from the entrance.

The heavy, carved double doors of the ballroom were kicked open from the outside. Cold wind rushed into the warm hall, blowing out two rows of decorative candles.

Every head snapped toward the entrance. Aria stood framed in the doorway in her black silk slip dress, her stilettos clicking sharply against the marble floor as she walked in. Her face was completely expressionless, her amber eyes sweeping coldly over the stunned crowd.

The champagne flute slipped from Jax's hand and shattered on the floor, splashing wine across his white cuffs. He pointed a trembling finger at her, his voice cracking.

"You... how are you still alive?"

Genie gasped and stumbled backward, twisting her ankle in her high heels and crashing awkwardly onto the carpet as her pinned hair came undone.

Aria stopped in the center of the red carpet, her red lips curving into a sharp sneer.

"My dear fiancé, my funeral hasn't even been held yet, and you're already rushing to marry my cousin?"

The ballroom erupted into chaos as reporters frantically snapped photos of Jax and Genie's pale faces. Jax's chest heaved, the faint scar through his right eyebrow twisting in fury.

"Security! Where is security? This woman is crazy, throw her out!"

Four burly hotel guards rushed forward, reaching for Aria's bare arms. Instead of backing down, Aria snatched a heavy silver steak knife from the buffet table beside her and pointed the blade straight at the lead guard's throat.

"Let's see who dares to touch the legal heir of the Dale family!"

The guards froze, intimidated by the murderous look in her eyes. Jax yanked at his bow tie, his face flushing dark red.

"Aria, stop making a scene! You've already been stripped of your family rights!"

Aria let out a short laugh and tossed the knife back onto the table with a loud clatter. Reaching into her black clutch, she pulled out a silver USB drive and twirled it between her fingers.

"Stripped? Jax, did you really think you and Genie could roll around on my bed without me leaving a camera behind?"

The blood drained completely from Jax's face as he stared at the silver drive.

"Stop her! Rip that drive out of her hand!" Jax screamed hysterically at his private bodyguards.