Chapter 5

The phone on my desk rang, and I picked it up immediately.

“Mia, get my car ready. We’re leaving in a few minutes.”

“Oh, where—”

The line went dead.

He had already hung up.

I stared at the receiver.

“Where is your car?” I muttered under my breath, burying my face in my palms for a second.

Then I stood up and hurried to the desk beside mine.

“What’s up?” the attendant asked.

“I need to get Mr. El Camino’s car ready,” I said quickly. “That’s all he told me. His former assistant didn’t brief me, so I honestly have no idea what to do.”

The man let out a low whistle.

“She got fired,” he said. “Mr. El Camino chased her out and didn’t even let her collect her belongings. She didn’t last a week.”

My chest tightened.

“You have to be smart to work with him,” he continued, handing me a keycard. “This gives you access to his private garage. Call his driver and let him know the schedule.”

He offered me a sympathetic smile.

“Good luck.”

I thanked him and immediately got to work.

When the elevator doors opened into the underground garage, I froze.

I had never seen so many luxury cars gathered in one place.

Rows upon rows of sleek vehicles gleamed under the bright lights—sports cars, SUVs, and limited-edition models that cost more than our cabin and everything inside it combined.

I had already called the driver, which meant all I had left to do was choose the right car.

But how was I supposed to know which one Dexter preferred?

Swallowing nervously, I dialed his number.

“Sir, is there any particular car you’d like me to prepare?”

There was a sharp hiss on the other end.

Then the call disconnected.

I stared at my phone in disbelief.

Had he just hung up over a simple question?

“Let’s go with the Tesla.”

The voice came from behind me.

I turned so quickly that my glasses nearly slipped off.

The man standing there looked familiar.

I tilted my head, trying desperately to place him. I knew his face, but the memories attached to it felt blurred

And judging by the expression on his face, he recognized me too.

“The Tes-la,” he repeated, stumbling slightly over the word. “That’s the one he usually prefers.”

Without waiting for a response, he headed toward a sleek black Tesla Model S.

I followed him, my heart hammering in my chest.

I wanted to ask if he knew who I was.

If he recognized Athena Mallway beneath the wig, makeup, and glasses.

But I couldn’t risk blowing my cover.

So I stayed silent, even though every nerve in my body was on edge.

Once inside the car, he glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

“So, you’re the new assistant?”

“Yeah,” I replied carefully. “I assume you’re the driver?”

“Yes, I am.”

He gave me a small smile.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Mia Roberts.”

I stiffened.

I had never told him my name.

“How did you know my name? I don’t remember introducing myself.”

Before he could answer, the rear door opened.

“Mia, my sister is arriving from the airport later today,” Dexter said as he slid into the back seat. “After this event, take one of the cars and pick her up.”

The atmosphere in the vehicle shifted instantly.

The driver went silent, his eyes fixed firmly on the road.

I turned toward the window, pretending not to notice.

“Mia,” Dexter said a moment later, “find hotels near the Grand Hall in Paris. I’ll be traveling this weekend with my fiancée. Make the reservations.”

“Yes, sir.”

I pulled out my laptop and began working immediately, forcing my trembling fingers to remain steady.

Within minutes, the bookings were confirmed.

Blake didn’t mention that Dexter was engaged in his Ted talk about Dexter.

There was nothing about it online either.

So it was either a closely guarded secret—or too recent to attract public attention.

The car slowed to a stop.

I looked up, and my breath caught.

The sign at the entrance read:

The El Camino Estate.

My stomach dropped.

I was in their home….

“Why aren’t you getting out?” the driver whispered.

I blinked twice and slipped back into character.

Opening the rear door, I stepped aside as Dexter emerged, casually handing me his suit jacket and briefcase as though I were little more than an extension of his arm.

I clenched my jaw, took two deep breaths, and followed him.

“Stay out of sight,” he instructed without looking at me. “But not so far that I can’t reach you if I need something. This is a family dinner, so your presence won’t be required. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

Then why had he brought me?

To carry his belongings like a human coat rack?

He stepped inside, but my feet remained rooted to the ground for several seconds.

I was walking straight into the den of my enemies.

Even if I was Mia Roberts on the outside, Athena Mallway still lived beneath the disguise.

And Athena remembered everything.

I inhaled deeply and stepped into the mansion.

The interior stole the breath from my lungs.

Crystal chandeliers hung from impossibly high ceilings, casting golden light over polished marble floors. A sweeping staircase curved gracefully toward the upper levels, and the air carried the faint scent of expensive flowers and aged wood.

Every detail radiated wealth

This was the kind of life that should have been ours.

“Dexter, honey! You’re here!”

A high-pitched voice rang through the foyer.

Before I could react, a woman threw herself into Dexter’s arms, kissing him and smoothing her hands over his chest.

His fiancée…I presumed.

I kept my head lowered until she spoke again.

“Is this your new assistant? A woman? Again?” she whined. “Why don’t you hire a man for once, as I suggested?”

I looked up.

And my blood ran cold.

Cassie Sinclair was the one standing beside me, my ex childhood best friend. .

How could I forget her sinister face. .

Her mother had taken over my mother’s entertainment company after the fire, rebranding herself as the visionary behind its so-called “new revolution.” She had publicly accused my mother of fraud and embezzlement, tarnishing her name before the ashes had even cooled.

My mother’s own best friend.

The betrayal had been almost as devastating as the loss itself.

And now her daughter was engaged to Dexter El Camino.

Of course she was.

The circle of corruption remained perfectly intact.

“Her name is Mia,” Dexter said. “I hired her through an agency.”

I unclenched my fists, forced a polite smile, and bowed my head respectfully.

Rage coursed through my veins, but this was the price of revenge.

Cassie examined me with open disdain.

“I assume you’re a professional,” she said coolly. “Do your job properly and don’t cross any boundaries.”

Her tone was sharp and commanding, but I refused to flinch…She also didn’t recognize me, as expected. .

I simply nodded.

“Let’s go inside,” she said, linking her arm through Dexter’s. “Your parents are waiting.”

They walked ahead, leaving me standing alone in the grand foyer.

My eyes wandered across the walls until they landed on a massive framed portrait.

On one side stood Mr. and Mrs. El Camino.

On the other side were Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair.

Nearby were the Cartiers.

And beside them—

My parents.

Charles and Evelyn Mallway.

Smiling while standing side by side with the people who betrayed them.

“Mom… Dad…” I whispered.

A sharp pain tore through my chest.

I clutched at my dress and pressed my hand against my heart, trying to steady my breathing.

But the pain intensified.

The room began to spin.

My vision blurred.

I heard distant voices, but they sounded as though they were underwater.

No.

Not here.

Not now.

“Come on, Athena,” I begged myself silently. “Get up.”

But my body refused to obey.

The last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me was a panicked scream.

“She just collapsed! Call 911! She just collapsed!”