The Bait

As evening approached, expensive cars were already filling the driveway of the Marcello Estate.

One luxury vehicle after another passed through the enormous iron gates, their polished bodies reflecting the golden lights that had been carefully arranged along the driveway. Security guards stood at every entrance, checking invitations while reporters crowded behind the barriers, eager to capture the arrival of the night's most influential guests.

The welcome banquet was already becoming the talk of the evening.

Tech moguls.

Entertainment executives.

Politicians.

Business tycoons.

And people whose names rarely appeared in newspapers but whose influence stretched far beyond what the public knew.

Tonight, the Marcello family was putting its newest—or rather, oldest—daughter on display.

The estate had been decorated to perfection.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated the main hall, expensive flowers filled the tables, and soft music floated through the enormous room. Waiters moved between the guests carrying trays of champagne and expensive appetizers while conversations filled every corner.

Then, suddenly—

The loud roar of an engine interrupted everything.

Heads turned toward the entrance.

A fiery blue sports car came speeding through the gates.

Several guests near the driveway hurriedly moved out of its way as the vehicle raced forward before coming to a sharp but controlled stop.

The driver's door opened.

Lucas Rodriguez stepped out.

The youngest of the three Rodriguez brothers.

He wore a perfectly fitted navy-blue suit, the top button of his shirt undone, giving him a slightly rebellious appearance despite the expensive clothes. His dark hair was casually styled, and his expression carried the effortless arrogance of someone who had never needed to worry about what other people thought of him.

The moment the media recognized him, cameras began flashing.

"Mr. Rodriguez!"

"Lucas, over here!"

"Look this way!"

"One picture, please!"

Lucas glanced at the reporters before reluctantly stopping.

He posed for several photographs, his expression barely changing, before walking toward the estate.

The reporters continued taking pictures until he disappeared through the entrance.

Inside, the banquet began shortly afterward.

Stella stood among the guests in an elegant silver dress that shimmered beneath the crystal lights.

She looked beautiful.

And she knew it.

But the moment her eyes landed on Lucas, her expression softened.

She immediately walked toward him.

"Lucas, I've been waiting for you to arrive."

Her voice was gentle, accompanied by a pleasant smile.

Lucas turned his head.

The moment he saw her, the faint smile on his face vanished.

Apparently, his so-called fiancée had arrived.

Yes.

Stella was Lucas Rodriguez's fiancée.

Their engagement had been arranged by their parents as part of an agreement between the two families. Stella had never openly objected to the arrangement.

Lucas, however, had made his feelings painfully clear.

He didn't want her.

He barely even wanted to be around her.

His cold gaze moved over her for a moment before he looked away.

Stella noticed.

Of course she did.

Her fingers tightened around the small purse in her hand, but she quickly composed herself.

"Lucas, I know you don't like—"

The lights suddenly went out.

The entire hall fell silent.

A few surprised gasps escaped from the guests.

Then a single spotlight appeared.

It shone directly on the top of the grand staircase.

Everyone turned.

Camille stood there.

For a moment, she didn't move.

She simply observed.

Her eyes slowly traveled across the crowd, memorizing faces and identifying the important people she had been briefed about.

Several names from the Shadow Organisation's files immediately came to mind.

Businessmen.

Investors.

Politicians.

Entertainment figures.

Potential allies.

Potential enemies.

Her gaze continued moving until it stopped.

Lucas Rodriguez.

He was standing beside Stella.

The other two brothers were nowhere to be seen.

Camille's eyes narrowed slightly.

So this was Lucas.

The youngest Rodriguez brother.

From the information she was given, he was reckless, arrogant, impulsive and extremely confident in himself.

In other words—

Perfect.

She had already chosen her first target.

Camille took the first step down the stairs.

Then another.

Every movement was deliberate.

The red dress she wore flowed elegantly around her as she descended, attracting more attention with every step.

Whispers immediately spread throughout the room.

"That's Vivienne?"

"She's beautiful."

"I didn't expect her to look like that."

"She looks completely different from the pictures."

"That red dress suits her perfectly."

Camille heard every word.

She ignored them.

She wasn't here to receive compliments.

She was here for a mission.

At the bottom of the stairs, Christian stepped forward.

He extended his hand.

Camille glanced at it for a moment before placing her hand in his.

Christian smiled toward the guests.

"Esteemed guests, allow me to introduce my daughter, Vivienne Marcello."

Applause filled the hall.

Camille smiled politely.

Christian then began introducing her to one person after another.

"This is Mr. Anderson, one of our long-time business partners."

"This is his wife."

"And this is his eldest son."

Camille nodded politely each time.

But she quickly understood what Christian was doing.

He wasn't simply introducing his daughter.

He was trying to repair his reputation.

For years, Vivienne had been absent from the Marcello family.

Now that she had suddenly returned, people were bound to question why.

Christian clearly didn't want anyone thinking he had abandoned his daughter.

And judging from the way he kept introducing her to young men, he had another plan as well.

"This is my colleague's son. He recently returned from university."

"Perhaps you two could get to know each other."

Camille almost laughed.

She had endured enough family nonsense for one evening.

She leaned toward Christian.

"Mr. Marcello, I'll excuse myself."

She deliberately emphasized the formal title.

Several guests nearby heard her.

Their expressions changed.

Mr. Marcello?

Not father?

Christian's smile remained fixed, but his eyes instantly became cold.

Camille didn't care.

She turned and walked away.

She had more important things to accomplish.

The chip.

That was all that mattered.

She needed to retrieve it before six months was over.

According to where she had last seen him, Lucas had left the main hall and headed toward the garden.

Camille followed.

The noise of the banquet gradually faded behind her as she stepped into the estate's enormous garden.

The atmosphere was completely different.

Quiet.

Peaceful.

Almost too peaceful.

She walked slowly, pretending to admire the flowers while carefully scanning her surroundings.

Where was he?

She took another turn.

Nothing.

Then she sensed someone behind her.

Camille didn't turn immediately.

Instead, she continued walking.

One step.

Two.

Three.

She deliberately increased the distance between herself and the person behind her before stopping.

Then she turned.

Lucas Rodriguez stood several feet away.

His hands were in his pockets, and a mocking smile played across his lips.

"So," he said, looking her over, "you're Stella's long-lost sister?"

Camille folded her arms across her chest.

She gave him a calm look.

"Let me guess."

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"You're the only person willing to be Stella's pathetic fiancé."

The smile disappeared from Lucas's face.

His jaw tightened.

"What did you say?"

Camille didn't flinch.

"You heard me."

Lucas took a step toward her.

"You've got some guts talking to a Rodriguez like that."

Camille remained completely still.

Inside, however, she smiled.

The fish had taken the bait.

People like Lucas were easy to manipulate.

Arrogant people couldn't resist a challenge to their pride.

The moment someone undermined them, they felt compelled to prove themselves.

And Lucas Rodriguez was no different.

He had already followed her into the garden.

He was angry.

He was curious.

Most importantly—

He was paying attention to her.

Exactly where Camille wanted him.

Now she only needed to pull the string a little tighter.

Her mission had officially begun.