Chapter 37

A chilling hush fell over the dim alley. Six desperate men surrounded me, their pathetic bravado clashing with the stench of decay around us.

“Little sister, Shaw’s already set you up—with us, too.” One snarled.

“Warehouse is just ahead. Nobody goes near—do whatever you want!” urged another, greedy eyes glinting.

Shaw grinned like a wolf. “Take your time, brothers—but don’t kill her. Bonus if we stay quiet.”

One fat thug stepped forward, his greasy hand reaching for me. I stepped back calmly. “Not today.”

He chuckled. “Cooperative—all right!”

And they led me deeper into the crumbling warehouse—rat droppings, rotting carcasses, and an odor so foul I almost gagged. Perfect for their twisted plans.

The fat guy ripped off a foul mattress and laid it down. “Shaw, you first!”

Shaw relished the moment. He unbuckled his belt and lunged hand reaching.

My eyes got cold. In my left hand, I seized a packet of fine powder—sedative. A flick of my wrist, and it floated across the dim space toward him.

Shaw stammered, then collapsed, limp as a rag.

“Sedative! She poisoned us!” the fat thug yelled.

One by one, I darted forward, pricking each thug with a hidden needle. Their eyes rolled back—the air filled with soft cries as they collapsed.

They hit the floor in writhing silence—victims of their own plan.

Shaw awoke first, groaning. I watched as each thug began to grope and scramble, their clouded senses turning them into pawns of their own lust.

I stood at the window. Calm. Then I took photos—evidence for the world.

Shaw’s phone, full of thigh-slapping video and Lilith’s name in the notorious “most recent contacts” list—proof of her involvement. I sent the photos to Lilith with a message:

“They’re all dealt with. With these as leverage, you’ve got free toys for life.”

Then I transferred Shaw’s hundred thousand dollars back into his account via my pocket app. I typed one final line:

“They’re yours now—no refunds.”

Grinning, I wiped the phone clean, tossed it to the floor, and stepped out.

---

Hours later, Shaw and his cronies awoke in filth, sweaty and writhing.

When they discovered Lilith’s message, they blasted back:

“Lilith… you bitch! You set me up! If I find you….”

But Lilith, on a private alt account, got exactly what she’d wanted, revulsion and fear. She shot back:

“You disgusting pigs—get on your knees and obey, or I’ll post these videos myself.”

One hundred thousand dollars, and she owned them. Shaw seethed. He would find her—and she would pay.

---

Back on the street, I was finishing lunch when I called the police through an IP-masked line. Before Shaw’s gang could even stand, the cops stormed in—red-handed.

I watched the news later, face calm as glass. The predators were captured. The twist? Their ringleader? Lilith… had her own deal… but that’s a story for another day.

They were practically regulars at the police station by now. Filthy, dazed, and raving about being “set up by a girl.” But the police didn’t buy it. The evidence was clear: six lowlifes had tried to drug a young woman… and ended up sedating themselves.

For the girl’s safety, authorities decided not to probe deeper. The anonymous tip that led to their arrest was brushed off—just another good Samaritan doing the right thing.

Meanwhile, I waited for the car Liana had sent. A sleek black SUV finally pulled up, its tinted windows shielding me from curious eyes. The ride took nearly an hour. We pulled into one of the most luxurious gated villa communities in the city—where the homes were custom-built for A-list celebrities, powerful directors, and industry elites.

Liana lived here.

The driver took me through the underground parking deck. A staff member led me straight to the elevator, silent and professional. When the doors opened into the grand living room, Liana was already waiting—with another woman.

She was stunningly elegant, intelligent, with the poised air of someone who knew power wasn’t given, it was earned.

I recognized her immediately.

Lone Wolf Gill.

One of the most formidable agents in the entire industry. The woman even Justin had tried—and failed—to sign with.

I hadn’t expected her to be Liana’s friend.

Liana stood and smiled gently, her hand resting on her baby bump. “Mia, I’m so sorry I didn’t pick you up myself. I’m feeling a little off today.”

I shook my head, smiling. “You’re pregnant. You should be resting.”

Gill rose too, her eyes scanning me up and down. “So you’re Mia.”

I tilted my head. “You’ve heard of me?”

“I saw your physician’s license trending online. It caused quite a stir. Is it real?”

“Very real,” I replied confidently. “Though I didn’t bring it with me.”

“Which med school?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. “And who was your mentor?”

I met her gaze steadily. “I didn’t attend med school. I was taught by a village doctor.”

Gill blinked. “You’re self-taught… and you have a license?”

The disbelief on her face wasn’t subtle.

Liana chuckled. “Gill, don’t start.”

Gill ignored her. Her sharp gaze kept flitting between me and Liana. “So... you’re the mysterious Mia. And let me guess—Liana’s sugar baby?”

Liana’s eyes widened. “Didn’t I tell you—?”

“No!” Gill cut in. “You never said she was the one caring for you during your pregnancy!”

Liana smiled sheepishly. “Well, now you know.”

I watched their banter, an odd pang hitting me in the chest. In both my past and current lives, I’d never had friendships like this. Warm. Familiar. Unapologetically real.

Gill studied me again, this time with something more than skepticism—curiosity.

“Miss Mia,” she said slowly, “I assume you can treat more than just pregnancies?”

I nodded. “Of course.”

“Then take a look at me,” she said, extending her hand. “Do you need to check my pulse?”

I placed my fingers gently on her wrist. Seconds passed. My brow furrowed.

“Your heart…” I said carefully. “It’s not in great shape.”

Gill blinked. “I had heart surgery.”

I nodded but didn’t let go. Something didn’t feel right. My eyes dropped to her chest, and I hesitated.

Gill raised a brow. “Something else?”

“…I need to check your chest.”

Dead silence.

Liana blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”

“I’m not trying to be inappropriate,” I said quickly. “I just have a theory I want to confirm.”

Gill didn’t flinch. Instead, she took my hand and placed it against her chest. “Go ahead.”

My hands pressed gently. Soft. Too soft. Too… manufactured.

I stepped back.

“It’s not natural,” I said quietly. “But it’s also not augmented. It’s… prosthetic.”

Liana’s jaw dropped. “You mean—fake? Wait… Gill, are you—?”

Gill cut in, her voice calm. “Not a man. But yes… I’ve had a mastectomy.”

Liana gasped, reaching out to hug her tightly.

I stood still, watching the storm of emotion behind Gill’s eyes. A fire that hadn’t dimmed.

“I was attacked ten years ago,” she said, voice tight. “Terrorist attack. I was a student in another Pack. Got stabbed—heart injury. Had to lose some… parts. No news reports. They covered it up fast.”

I felt my stomach twist. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to touch a nerve.”

Gill waved me off. “I’ve lived with it for years.”

Liana’s eyes shimmered. “You should’ve told me.”

“I didn’t want sympathy. I wanted respect.”

Gill turned to me again, this time with genuine admiration in her eyes.

“You’re good, Mia. Very good. You caught what no one else could.”

Her next words stunned me.

“I want to be your agent.”

I froze.

Gill? My agent?

This was the kind of woman every rising star dreamed of working with. The kind Justin would have killed to sign with.

“You’re not turned off by my… situation, are you?” she teased.

“No! Not at all! I just… it feels like overkill.” I glanced down at my thrift-store sneakers. “I don’t have a team. No fan base. I haven’t even made a public account.”

Gill grinned. “You don’t need any of that. You’ve got me now.”

Then her eyes narrowed in mock seriousness. “You know my secret now. If you say no, I might have to kill you.”

I laughed, but something in her tone told me she meant it… just a little.

I extended my hand. “Then it’s a deal.”

“Pleasure doing business with you,” she said, shaking it.

Still, I couldn’t lie to her. Not now.

“I should be upfront. I didn’t join this industry to be famous. I did it to make Justin and Lilith suffer. That’s all. If you’re expecting to mold me into an award-winning star… I’m not your girl.”

Gill’s smile didn’t fade.

“Then we’ll make your revenge legendary.”

She said it like a promise. Like a vow.

With Gill beside me, I wouldn’t just survive; I would shine.