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No one believed the marriage between Deltana City's most powerful man, Greg Taylor, and the least daughter of the Williams family would last. The whispers were harsh and relentless. They called her plain, timid, and dull-a far cry from what anyone expected of a wife to a man as respected and feared as Greg Taylor. Many predicted a quick and quiet divorce. Yet nothing could have prepared anyone for what happened next.
Chapter 1 THE BIRTHDAY CAKE
When Linda Williams stepped into the event hall, the birthday celebration was in full swing.
The room buzzed with energy, laughter, and clinking glasses. With a composed smile, she wheeled a large cart bearing an elaborate birthday cake toward the man of the hour.
"Master Taylor, good evening," she greeted politely. "This cake was specially crafted for you by Miss Ava Dawson. She went through a lot of trouble to make it perfect."
One of Greg's friends scoffed. "Wait, wasn't Ava supposed to end her engagement with you?"
Greg Taylor, visibly smug, waved off the remark. "This is her way of making peace. Clearly, she has had a rethink. She doesn't really want to leave me."
Drake, another friend interjected mockingly, "Impressive. You cheated on her the day you got engaged, and she still wants to be with you...?"
"That just proves how irresistible I am," Greg said with an arrogant chuckle. "So what if I messed up? I've got charm, money, and connections. Who could stay mad at me for long?"
Linda gave a small nod, then lifted the top of the ornate gift box, revealing a beautiful cake shaped into a provocative bikini design. "There's a little surprise inside," she said coolly. "Please press this button right here."
Amused, Greg Taylor raised a brow and stepped closer, flashing a lascivious grin at the sight of the cake's risqué design. Without hesitation, he reached for the button.
"Mind if I record this moment of sheer delight?" Linda asked sweetly, already holding up her phone.
"Go ahead," he said, striking a pose like a celebrity caught in the spotlight.
The second his finger touched the button, a sharp pop filled the room. A spring-loaded stand burst out of the cake, elevating a bright card high into the air. It unfolded with a flourish, revealing bold, handwritten words that quickly silenced the music and chatter in the suite.
> Greg Taylor, may your life be drowned in shadows and your fate end in despair. If not with illness, then may you rot from a disease befitting your betrayal.
> Thank you for your infidelity. You saved me from a doomed marriage. Consider this my little gift of thanks. And when I find the love I deserve, I'll make sure to repay this act tenfold!
Gasps echoed across the room, followed by a wave of stunned laughter as someone read the note aloud.
Greg's smile vanished. His face twisted into a mixture of horror and rage. Before he could snatch the card from the spring stand, another deafening bang erupted. The cake exploded-literally-spewing a gooey mess of frosting and cream all over him.
He was drenched from head to toe, the once-proud birthday host was now reduced to a soggy, humiliated mess!
The room erupted. People roared with laughter, unable to contain their amusement.
Meanwhile, Linda calmly stopped recording and slipped her phone back into her clutch. With practiced ease, she turned and exited the room unnoticed.
Serves him right. What a sleazebag!
Linda worked for a covert enterprise known as Raven Crest Agency-a shadowy organization that took on any task, so long as it didn't cross into the illegal. Her mission today had been clear: help Ava get back at her two-timing ex-fiancé. Sabotage his birthday celebration and capture the moment of his downfall on video. Mission accomplished!
Back inside, Greg finally regained his composure, albeit barely. His face contorted with fury as he roared, "Shut down the whole venue! Find that woman who brought the cake in here! I want her now!"
His subordinates didn't hesitate. They bolted from the VIP suite, scattering through the hallways.
But Linda was already ahead of them. After slipping through a side corridor, she ducked into a nearby restroom tucked around a corner.
Minutes later, she emerged looking nothing like the woman who had just humiliated a wealthy heir. Her short bob wig was now replaced with a voluminous updo. Heavy makeup masked her features, and she had swapped her professional black outfit for a daring red dress and killer stilettos.
No one even glanced her way as she sashayed past the flurry of men scouring the hotel halls.
She reached the elevator calmly, tapping the call button as her phone buzzed. It was a message from Ava:
"That was brilliant! He totally deserved it. I owe you big time!"
As Linda typed out her reply, she stepped into the elevator without looking-just as her right stiletto caught between the narrow gap at the elevator door's edge. Her foot twisted awkwardly, and she pitched forward in a stumble.
Instinctively, she reached out to catch herself-and landed squarely in a man's arms.
Before she could even thank him or apologize, the man shoved her aside coldly, as though her touch was something repulsive. She staggered backward, barely managing to stay on her feet.
Rattled and fuming, she looked up sharply to confront the rude stranger.
"I didn't fall on you on purpose, you jerk!"
But the moment her eyes met his, a wave of shock crashed over her.
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