Chapter 5: Hacker’s Revenge

After the auction, the music started, and couples filled the dance floor. Laughter and clinking glasses echoed around the grand hall as guests mingled and exchanged pleasantries.

Cassidy quietly slipped away toward the dining area. Her eyes lit up when she spotted a table filled with desserts, and right in the center was her favorite — strawberry shortcake.

Just as she reached for a slice, a cold, sarcastic voice cut through the noise behind her.

“Well, well, you finally show your face after all these years, and the first thing you do is cling to Roel like a lost puppy,” Selena sneered.

Cassidy froze. She turned and found Selena standing there, an arrogant smirk on her lips, her eyes full of provocation. Roel was still chatting with some business partners nearby, unaware of what was happening.

Cassidy tried to turn away, but Selena’s hand shot out, gripping her arm tightly.

“Where do you think you’re going? We’re not done here,” Selena hissed, tightening her hold.

Frowning, Cassidy tried to pull free, but before she could, a familiar, cold voice joined in.

“What’s going on here?”

Dylan.

He approached with long strides, his sharp eyes narrowing as they landed on Selena, who wasted no time playing her usual game. With a sudden, practiced stumble, she fell right into Dylan’s arms.

“Are you alright?” Dylan asked, steadying her.

Selena sniffled and buried her face in his chest, her voice trembling with false fear. “Dylan, I... I just wanted to say hello to Cassidy… but I slipped… I thought she’d push me…” she whispered, her hand protectively covering her small baby bump.

Dylan’s expression darkened as he turned to Cassidy. “Haven’t changed at all, have you?” His voice was ice. “Still the same cruel woman.”

Cassidy’s heart clenched painfully, her face paling. “You really think I’d do something like that?” she asked quietly, disbelief in her eyes.

“She’s carrying my child,” Dylan snapped. “If you ever hurt her again, don’t think I’ll show you mercy.”

Cassidy opened her mouth to speak, but his next words cut her like a blade.

“You think clinging to Roel will change who you are? Money doesn’t buy class, Cassidy.”

Her legs weakened, but she straightened her back. Roel, noticing the commotion, rushed over and pulled Cassidy gently to his side.

“What’s happening?” Roel demanded, his gaze sharp as it shifted between Dylan and Selena.

“Mr. Helton, I wouldn’t worry too much,” Selena interjected sweetly, her eyes glinting with fake innocence. “I’m fine… unlike some people who enjoy playing the victim.”

Roel’s jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists, but Cassidy placed a hand on his arm, stopping him.

“I’m fine, Roel,” she said softly, though her eyes were clouded with pain.

She turned to Dylan, her voice calm but firm. “Mr. Edwards, it’s been six years. You’ve moved on… You love another woman now. Can’t I do the same?”

Dylan’s expression hardened, but Cassidy didn’t falter.

“Miss Johnson may seem like a rare treasure, but nothing lasts forever. You gave up on me… I’ve accepted that. But I refuse to let your bitterness define me anymore.”

Before Dylan could respond, Cassidy held Roel’s hand and stepped past them.

But as they walked away, one question still burned in her mind.

If Dylan truly didn’t care… why did his eyes still follow her like that?

Six years ago, Cassidy stood by Dylan’s side. But now, staring at him across the room, she couldn’t tell who truly loved her… or who she could still trust. One thing was certain — no one was taking her children away from her.

“Do you have a problem with me, Cassidy?” Selena’s voice cut through the noise. Her face looked soft, but her words carried hidden thorns. “Do you think I stole Dylan from you?”

Before Cassidy could respond, Selena sighed with fake sadness. “Dylan… I’ve always regretted coming between you and Cassidy.”

Dylan pulled Selena closer, his expression unreadable. “Selena, you didn’t come between us. If my mother hadn’t forced it, Cassidy would’ve never agreed to marry me.” His voice softened. “Forget the past. You’re the one beside me now.”

Cassidy clenched her fists at her sides, her chest rising and falling with quiet anger.

But Dylan wasn’t finished. His sharp gaze landed on Roel. “And you…” His lip curled. “I can smell the filth beneath your polished shoes.”

Cassidy’s breath caught. The insult stung — not just for Roel, but for her, too.

Just then, Dylan’s eyes flicked to the hem of her dress… and froze. His pupils narrowed as they locked onto the small rose tattoo inked near her ankle — the same tattoo she got after their divorce.

For a split second, Dylan’s mask cracked. His eyes darkened with something… hard to name. Regret? Desire? Fury?

But before Cassidy could read his expression, Dylan turned away, pulling Selena along.

“Regret?” Roel’s steady voice called after him. “One day, Dylan, you’ll eat those words.”

Dylan paused but didn’t turn around. His voice, cold as ice, drifted back. “I think you’ll be the one choking on regret.”

With that, he disappeared into the crowd. Cassidy stood trembling, her fingernails digging into her palms.

“Cassidy, are you alright?” Roel placed his jacket around her shoulders, his eyes filled with quiet worry.

Cassidy nodded faintly. “I just… I want to go home. I miss the boys.”

Roel smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “Home? You forget, you’re not just a mom now. You’re the Queen, remember?”

But Cassidy barely heard him. Her eyes drifted across the room… and landed on a short, balding man in his thirties, laughing with Dylan and Selena.

Her jaw tightened. The way Selena leaned toward him, her eyes sparkling… the way Dylan, despite his scowl, politely nodded along.

You can smile for people who stab you in the back, Cassidy thought bitterly. But when it comes to me… I’m beneath you?

Not anymore, she vowed. I’m not the scared girl you tossed aside. I’ve changed. And soon, I’ll change everything.

What Cassidy didn’t know… was that on the hotel’s second floor, two small figures huddled in front of a security monitor.

“Look at Mom’s face,” Noel whispered, his little hands balled into fists. “She’s about to cry…”

Beside him, Nardy’s eyes burned with quiet anger. “That witch… she bullied Mom and stole Dad.”

Nardy’s fingers danced across the keyboard, hacking into the hotel’s system with ease. “No worries. Tonight, we get payback.”

In the grand lobby below, lights sparkled over the elegant guests — until, suddenly… everything went dark.

Gasps and screams filled the air.

Upstairs, Noel pulled on his night vision goggles and bolted through the shadows, straight toward Selena.

Within moments, her expensive dress was sliced, her shocked expression frozen in place as Noel vanished into the dark.

When the lights flickered back on… all eyes turned.

There stood Selena, wide-eyed, trapped beneath the hefty man she had been flirting with — her gown shredded beyond repair. His clumsy fall sent both of them crashing to the floor, limbs tangled awkwardly.

The entire room erupted into chaos.

Cameras clicked. Reporters shouted. Shocked guests whispered behind their hands.

And as Selena struggled to sit up, her face burning with shame, one thought echoed in Cassidy’s mind:

Is this just the beginning?