"Okay," Mia said, unzipping the garment bag dramatically. "Don’t laugh and don’t cry. Just... react normally."
Savannah looked at the gown hanging inside the bag.
"It’s gorgeous."
"It’s secondhand," Mia said. "The lining has been restitched three times, and the previous owner spilled something on the hem. I paid extra to have it fixed. But it’s real."
Mia carefully ran her fingers over the dress.
"Mia...you didn’t have to..."
"I’m not finished," Mia said, raising her finger. "The invitation said black tie. I want everyone to look at you in awe the moment you step inside the ballroom."
"Mia...I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to pay you for this," Savannah’s eyes filled with tears. "I’m so lucky to have you as my best friend."
"Pay me?" Mia asked, smiling playfully. "I already told you I want a big house."
"I’ll remember that," Savannah smiled and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you!"
Mia stroked her back for a few seconds before pulling out.
"By the way...what exactly are we looking for in the gala tonight?" Mia asked, curious.
"Anything we can find," Savannah explained. "A name, a transfer, a number...anything. Victor Locke moves his money through Harlow Holdings. His first big transfer will happen at the gala tonight."
"How do you know that?"
Savannah sighed.
"I can’t explain that right now," Savannah said, holding Mia’s arms. "I know it doesn’t make any sense. But... I want you to trust me."
Mia studied her for a moment before sighing.
"Fine!" Mia said. "Let’s get ready now. We can’t be late."
They both got ready together in the bathroom, taking turns with the mirror, sharing the hair dryer, and arguing about lipstick shades.
Savannah hadn’t done this in a long time. After she had gotten married, she had slowly lost contact with Mia. Her life after marriage revolved around Ethan, his family and friends. She had lost her identity. And by the time she realized it, it was already too late.
"Stop moving," Mia’s voice pulled her back to the present. "You keep fidgeting."
"I’m a little nervous."
"Don’t be," Mia stepped back, looked at her hair, and nodded in satisfaction. "There. You look perfect."
Savannah looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.
"I didn’t know a lawyer could be so good with hair as well," she said.
"I’m good at a lot of things," Mia said. "You just never bothered to notice that!"
Savannah laughed at her response.
"One more thing," Mia said, digging through her jewellery box and took out a pair of small pearl earrings. "They are my mother’s. They’ll look perfect with this dress."
Savannah put them on and looked at her reflection in the mirror again. The woman staring back at her finally looked like herself. This was what the real Savannah Quinn looked like.
"Ready?" Mia asked.
Savannah nodded.
"Let’s go."
The gala was being held in the grand ballroom of the Corinthia Hotel. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and a string quartet was playing softly in the corner. Diamonds glittered beneath the lights and men in expensive tuxedos stood beside women dressed in designer gowns worth more than people’s cars.
Savannah glanced around, her eyes stopping at Celeste. She was standing beside Victor Locke, dressed in a beautiful silver gown.
Victor was introducing her to other important guests as future Mrs. Locke. Celeste greeted every one of them politely with a warm smile.
"My nephew’s fiancée," Victor said.
And whenever someone asked about Ansel, he gave them a big smile.
"A successful man like him is always busy. He’ll come soon."
Celeste played along perfectly. She lowered her eyes, blushed, and thanked everyone for their blessings as if her wedding date had already been decided.
How shameless can one be? He already rejected you when Ansel didn’t show at the lunch.
Savannah’s plan was to stay in the shadows, find the evidence she needed and then leave. But it wasn’t that easy.
"OH MY GOD!" Sienna’s laugh cut across the music.
Savannah turned and saw Sienna walking towards her with two friends. All three of them looked Savannah up and down.
"Is that... Maison Vey?" Sienna leaned in to her friends, laughing loudly. "It’s secondhand, right? You can tell from the hem. Secondhand Vey on a gold digger’s budget. That is the funniest thing I’ve seen all year."
Several people nearby turned to look at them.
"Tell me, Savannah...did your friend buy it for you? Or did you buy it with the money you made from slapping my cousin?" asked loudly.
Savannah just drank her water without saying anything.
"You’re not going to say anything?" Sienna’s smile disappeared, replaced by anger.
"Sienna!" Mia said as she stood beside Savannah. "I’m Mia Hart, an attorney. I represent Miss Quinn."
She held up her phone and showed it to Sienna.
"Say the word ’secondhand’ again. And I’ll sue for defamation."
Sienna’s face turned red.
"You can’t..."
"I absolutely can. Try me," Mia smiled and pointed at the cameras around the ballroom.
Sienna’s friends stopped laughing as they thought about the consequences. Then someone behind Sienna snickered at her.
"You’ll regret this," Sienna hissed at Mia.
"You think so?" Mia smiled and turned to Savannah and whispered in her ear. "Go get what we came for. I’ll handle her."
Only Mia could turn a threat into a mission briefing.
For the next few seconds, Mia grabbed the entire attention of the ballroom. Everyone was interested in the fight between a low level attorney and a spoiled heiress.
Savannah, taking advantage of the situation, slipped away before anyone could notice her.
The corridor outside the ballroom was quiet. The music faded behind her as she walked towards the private wing of the hotel. The hallway was dimly lit with dark carpets and wooden doors.
She was walking past the doors when a voice coming from a nearby door stopped her. She stopped beside it and pressed her back to the wall.
The door wasn’t fully closed. There was a tiny gap. Savannah carefully opened it another inch, took out her phone and aimed the camera through the gap.
Inside, Victor sat comfortably in an armchair with a glass of wine in his hand. Her father’s secretary was standing in front of him, looking nervous.
"...routine, really," Victor was saying. "The Quinns are family, after all. And family arrangements should stay in the family."
"Yes, sir." The secretary put a folder on the desk.
Savannah zoomed in on the folder. It read "HARLOW."
"Everything is countersigned?" Victor asked.
The secretary nodded.
"Mr. Quinn’s signature, sir. And mine as witness."
"And your discretion?"
"As we discussed, sir."
"Good," Victor said and tapped two fingers on the folder, smiling. "Then it’s settled."
He is coming out. Run, Savannah!
The secretary bowed and turned to leave.
MINUTES EARLIER
Ansel had entered the ballroom during Savannah’s confrontation with Sienna. He had been watching everything, especially Savannah.
And had noticed Savannah slipping away in the middle of the fight her best friend was waging for her.
Ansel looked around and saw her walking towards the corridor entrance.
What is she doing now?
He put down his glass and turned to Leo.
"Stay here."
"Sir?" Leo said, surprised. "Sir, the board members at table four are..."
"Watch them. I need to go somewhere. And if anyone asks about me, tell them I’m discussing the Thomas deal initiative with new investors."
He didn’t give Leo a chance to ask anything and crossed the ballroom calmly. On his way, he talked to a few guests, posed for the cameras and finally entered the corridor of the private wing.
PRESENT
He was moving down the hallway when he saw Savannah, standing frozen outside a door and holding her phone as if recording something. She looked scared.
Savannah immediately moved away from the door and looked around. Then suddenly someone grabbed her arm. Before she could scream, a door opened beside her and the person pulled her inside, covering her mouth.
Her back hit the wall. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it might burst from her chest. The light inside the room was off. Savannah couldn’t see the person holding her clearly.
The man took a step closer and put his other arm on the wall above her head. Slowly, he removed his hand from her mouth and turned the light on.
"Ansel...you..."
"Start talking, Miss Quinn," he whispered, "or I hand you to my uncle."