Tonight was the perfect opportunity for me to get my revenge. Tonight, I was going to make Margot feel what it was like to be humiliated and trampled on in front of everyone. But Kieran, on the other hand, got me into a mixed feeling. He was my first love, the one I could never quite forget, especially the memory of our first encounter.

It was a time when I was in my rebel phase. I disagreeing with everything, fighting with my family and deciding to run away. It wasn't planned—just a spontaneous decision, fueled by anger and hurt. That night, I had nowhere to go, not even a single dollar to my name, so staying in a hotel was out of the question. Hungry, tired and hopeless, I found myself standing at a crossroads: should I sleep on a park bench for the night or swallow my pride and go home to apologize?

Just as I was pondering my fate, exhausted and starving, two homeless men approached me, their eyes glinting with ill intent.

“Hey, pretty girl, what’re you doing out here all alone?” one sneered.

“Wanna come with us? Let’s head to the park and have some fun,” the other added, grabbing my arm.

They were strong, their hands grabbing me tightly, pulling me toward the dark path leading to a nearby park. I screamed, but the street was empty. No one could hear me, no matter how loud I shouted. I was seconds away from being dragged to dark alley when Kieran appeared.

Riding a battered old bicycle, he noticed the commotion and rushed to intervene. Without hesitation, he lifted his beaten-up bike and slammed it into the homeless men.

The impact sent them sprawling to the ground. Rising quickly, they charged at him blindly, ready to retaliate. However, Kieran wasn’t an easy target. His tall and strong frame made it difficult for them to overpower him. He easily dodged their wild swings, landing precise blows in return. He was clearly trained in self-defense. With quick punches and kicks, he swiftly overpowered them.

Bruised and humiliated, the two men scrambled to their feet and fled, stumbling as they vanished into the darkness.

Still shaken, I thanked him profusely. He responded casually, “You shouldn't be wandering around alone at this hour. This area is quiet and prone to crime.” His voice was firm, yet kind. “You better get going, head back to the safety of your home.”

Before I could pull myself together, he was already pushing his beat-up bike away. I rushed after him, insisting that he give me his contact information.

That night, I called home. My parents, frantic with worry, nearly lost their minds. When my father heard I had almost been assaulted, he sent people to track down and deal with those two homeless men.

From then on, I used my gratitude as an excuse to stay in touch with Kieran. I bought him a new bike as a token of thanks and started inviting him to hang out—shopping, eating and just spending time together. Gradually, we grew closer.

After getting to know each other better, I learned his story. He was a film school graduate without money or connections, struggling to survive in the entertainment industry.

One night, after a few too many drinks, he broke down in tears, clutching me tightly.

“Lila, you have no idea how hard this is,” he sobbed. “I worked part-time jobs all through school to get my degree, but life after graduation is even tougher. With no money and connections, it’s almost impossible to get anywhere.”

“Why is different. My classmates—some of them didn’t even do as well as me in school. They weren’t as talented, but they signed with big companies right after graduating. A year later, they’re already making names for themselves.”

“Why is the world so unfair? They don’t even need the money, but they’re flocking the industry, taking away the little opportunities we have just to survive.”

“You know what? I’ve decided. If I can’t make a name for myself in another year, I’ll quit. I’ll work in a factory or deliver food, or whatever. I’ll do anything but acting!”

That night, he poured out all his frustrations, years of pent-up bitterness and sorrow. My heart ached for him and I made a decision. I would use my family’s influence to help him from behind the curtains.

Kieran’s career soared after that. With a little push from my family, he quickly gained a foothold in the entertainment industry and built a solid fan base.

He promised me that once he entered the second tier of stars, he would make our relationship public. I would no longer be his girlfriend in secret and I couldn’t help but think about the future.

When the New Year came around, I planned to bring Kieran home with me. I was eager to show him my family, to finally reveal my true identity to him. I imagined the look of surprise on his face when he realized just who I really was. But to my shock, on my birthday, he gave me a surprise I would never forget for the rest of my life.

Kieran hit me with a blow that would leave me shattered. For the sake of his career, he discarded me without a second thought. He’d left me behind, without hesitation, without any remorse. It was like a cruel twist of fate. The man I had helped to lift up, the man I believed in, had tossed me aside like I was nothing.

I had done everything for him, only to be cast aside when it mattered most. The sting of betrayal was unbearable, but I couldn’t help but think, “Kieran, you’ll regret this.” I would make sure of it.

That afternoon, the family butler drove me back to the estate.

The house was bustling with activity; guests had already started arriving for the evening’s celebrations. Many of the guests didn’t know me, which wasn’t surprising. I had always kept a low profile and my parents had gone to great lengths to protect me from the public eye.

My parents were mingling with some of the influential figures from the capital, engaged in casual conversation, while I decided to take a walk around the grounds with our Pomeranian, waiting for the evening’s birthday festivities to begin.

It was then that I saw them—Margot and Kieran, standing off to the side with a group of people, all smiles and laughter. They were surrounded by the cast and crew from the film Kieran had starred in and they were all fawning over Margot. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the scene. The way they all doted on her was nauseating.

“Margot, you really are amazing! To get the wrap party for our film hosted here, at the Fitzgerald estate? That’s unbelievable!”

“This estate is practically a legend in Wickerdale. I’ve heard so many big shots have tried to get an invitation and failed!”

“We owe you big time, Margot. And of course, we have to thank Kieran, too. Without his stellar performance, our movie wouldn’t have been half as good!”

“Yes, yes! Kieran, you’re the real MVP! And while we’re at it, here’s to you and Margot—may you two have a long and happy life together!”

“When the two of you get married, don’t forget to invite us!”

Their over-the-top flattery had Margot beaming with pride, while Kieran humbly accepted the compliments, a modest smile on his face.

Margot, basking in the attention, said with a smug grin, “It’s true, getting you all into the Fitzgerald estate took some doing. The young lady of the house is hosting her birthday party tonight and she and I… well, we have a bit of a personal connection. She was kind enough to let me bring you all along.”

“But let me remind you,” she continued, her tone turning serious, “the Fitzgeralds have very strict rules. They’re not your typical wealthy family. So watch your words, keep your phones away and for heaven’s sake, don’t do anything inappropriate. If you mess up tonight, even I won’t be able to save you.”

The crew nodded eagerly, like obedient schoolchildren. Watching from a distance, I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. Margot really knew how to flatter herself.

A personal connection with me? Since when?  Just hours ago, she slapped me in the face and now she was here, strutting around in my family’s home like she owned the place. I couldn’t hold back my disgust.

Sensing my annoyance, the Pomeranian in my arms barked sharply in Margot’s direction.

The sudden noise caught their attention and they all turned to look at me. When Margot and Kieran saw me, they froze for a moment, clearly not expecting to see me here.

Margot was the first to recover. She frowned, her expression filled with disdain. “You again? You always show up when we're having fun, like a fly on a carcass. You're such a buzzkill!”

“How did you get in here? This isn't a place for someone like you,” Margot growled, her voice cold as she turned to me.

“Lila, haven't you caused enough trouble?” Kieran added.

His gaze hardened as he continued, “I don’t know and I don’t want to know how did you get in, but you better leave right now. Otherwise, you’ll get yourself into a serious trouble.”

He stepped toward me, clearly ready to throw me out, but Margot swiftly moved to block him.

With a sharp glance at Kieran, Margot spoke in a low, menacing tone. “Remember where we are. We’re at the Moonlight Manor. If they know she sneaks in here, it's a direct insult to the Fitzgeralds.”

Kieran hesitated, his expression torn between fury and uncertainty. Margot's next words came with a bite. “Do you want to protect her? Sure you can do that?”

She scoffed and shook her head. “You’d better stay out of this and don't make things worse for yourself. One word from the Fitzgeralds and not only you, but even our company, Velvetline Entertainment, could disappear in an instant.”

Her words made Kieran shrink back. His face drained of color and he lowered his head, no longer daring to meet my gaze.

Turning back to the crew, Margot commanded, “Go get the estate's security. Tell them we've caught a trespasser trying to steal from the estate.”

A few crew members hurried off to do as she said, while Margot, still glaring at me, walked over. She came within inches of me and, without warning, slapped me hard across the face.

I was caught off guard. I hadn’t expected her to be this bold, especially in my family’s estate. I didn’t move in time to avoid the blow.

Margot's eyes glinted with malice as she sneered, “If it weren’t for Kieran, I would’ve had someone kill you already.”

Her voice was low and venomous and she continued, “What makes you think you have the right to fight me, you little nobody with no connections?”

She stepped closer, her voice dripping with scorn. “People like you? I could crush you without breaking a sweat, like squashing an ant beneath my heel.”

She paused, savoring her cruelty. “I thought I might let you off the hook, but it looks like you couldn’t stay out of trouble. You barged your own way into hell. Sneaking into the Moonlight Manor comes with consequences a peasant like you could ever afford.”

Her words were cut short as she suddenly screamed in pain.

The Pomeranian I had been holding must have seen her slap me. It yelped in fury and lunged at her, sinking its teeth into her ankle.

Kieran and the crew rushed over, their attention diverted to Margot's injury as she cried out in anger and pain. Her eyes turned furious as she glared at the dog and she yelled at Kieran and the others, “Somebody get and kill that damn dog! Now!”

Kieran and the crew, clearly unnerved, hesitated, their gazes flickering between me and the dog. I immediately stepped forward, shielding the dog with my body and snarled, “I dare you to lay a hand on my dog.”

Margot, red-faced with rage, sneered, “What are you waiting for? Go get it! Anyone who kills that fitly creature will be the lead in my next movie.”

At her words, the crew’s eyes lit up. Several of them moved forward, eager to carry out her orders and deal with the dog.

Just then, a voice boomed from across the room.

“Stop! What the hell do you imbeciles think you’re doing?”

The harsh shout made everyone freeze in place. A well-dressed, middle-aged man exuding an air of authority strode toward us.

It was Walton Gries, the owner of Velvetline Entertainment. Starting from nothing, he had built and grown his business into a powerhouse within just twenty years.

“Mr. Gries!”

Everyone quickly greeted him, bowing slightly in respect.

Walton’s sharp gaze swept over the group, his jaw clenched in anger as he barked, “Do you all have a death wish? Acting like a bunch of baboons on the loose?!”

He shot an incredulous look at Kieran and the crew. “Have you not realize where we are standing? Are you looking to throw your lives away?”

Kieran and the others lowered their heads, too scared to speak.

Margot, still nursing her injured ankle, pouted and spoke in a soft, almost pleading tone. “Mr. Gries, that woman’s dog bit me. I just didn’t want it to bite anyone else, so I told them to catch it. Kieran and the others were only trying to help me.”