The Heiress's Secret

Beneath the Glitz

Sophia stood in front of the full-length mirror, smoothing the satin fabric of the gown Derrick had arranged for her. It was elegant yet understated—a deep emerald green that complimented her pale skin and dark hair. The dress hugged her figure perfectly, flaring slightly at the waist before cascading to the floor. The high slit on the side gave it a touch of daring, something she wasn’t used to but now needed to embrace.

The heels, however, felt like torture. Sophia shifted her weight, frowning at how unnatural the shoes felt. She had spent most of her life avoiding events like this—places where money, power, and corruption mingled under the guise of charity. But tonight, she was walking straight into one of them, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

“You look incredible,” James said from the doorway, his voice soft but filled with admiration. He was dressed in a tailored black tuxedo that fit him perfectly, his dark hair slicked back and his sharp jawline even more prominent. His piercing blue eyes had a mix of concern and pride as he watched her prepare for what was undoubtedly their most dangerous move yet.

Sophia offered him a small, nervous smile. “I feel like a fraud.”

James stepped into the room, placing his hands on her shoulders and meeting her gaze in the mirror. “You’re not a fraud. You’re the only person in that room who deserves to be there. You’re doing this for the right reasons, not for greed or power.”

She nodded, swallowing hard. “I just hope Derrick’s plan works.”

“It will,” James reassured her, his voice steady. “We’ve made it this far. We can handle this.”

Sophia appreciated his confidence, but the knot of anxiety in her stomach refused to loosen. They were about to walk into a room filled with some of the most dangerous people in the world, people who wouldn’t hesitate to crush them if they made even the smallest mistake. But it was their only shot. If they could plant the backdoor into Carmichael’s system tonight, they would have access to the vault and all the secrets it held.

James stepped back and adjusted his cufflinks. “Derrick will be in our ears the whole time. We just need to stay calm, blend in, and get the job done.”

Sophia took a deep breath and nodded, trying to mentally prepare herself. “Right. Blend in.”

As they left the room and headed to the car, she couldn’t help but feel like she was stepping into a battlefield. The gala might be wrapped in glamour, but underneath the polished surface, it was a war zone.

The gala was being held at one of the most exclusive venues in the city, an extravagant estate owned by one of Carmichael’s closest allies. The sprawling mansion was a testament to old money and power, its towering columns and elaborate gardens creating an air of grandeur that made Sophia’s skin crawl. The guests arrived in sleek black cars, dressed in expensive designer clothing, laughing and sipping champagne as if the world outside didn’t exist.

Sophia and James arrived in a rented luxury car, their arrival unnoticed among the crowd of elites. The valet took their car, and they walked up the marble steps, side by side, trying to project an aura of confidence they didn’t quite feel.

“Remember,” James whispered as they neared the entrance. “We’re just another rich couple attending a charity event. Smile, make small talk, and keep your eyes on the prize.”

Sophia nodded, forcing herself to relax her shoulders and adopt the posture of someone who belonged here. Her pulse quickened as they reached the front door, where a man in a tuxedo greeted them with a polite nod and checked their names off the guest list.

“Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,” he said, handing them back their invitations. “Enjoy the evening.”

They stepped inside, and Sophia was immediately struck by the opulence of the interior. The grand ballroom was filled with crystal chandeliers, ornate decorations, and tables overflowing with food and champagne. The guests mingled effortlessly, their laughter filling the air as if they had no care in the world.

Sophia scanned the room, looking for any sign of Carmichael, but there was no immediate indication that he had arrived yet.

“Keep moving,” James whispered, his hand resting on the small of her back as they moved through the crowd. “We need to make our way toward the east wing.”

Sophia nodded, allowing James to guide her through the throngs of people. They passed couples engaged in light conversation, groups of men talking business, and women in dazzling gowns who eyed Sophia with the kind of polite disinterest reserved for strangers. It all felt surreal, like she was moving through a dream—or rather, a nightmare.

In her ear, Derrick’s voice crackled through the small earpiece hidden by her hair. “You’re doing great, Sophia. Keep going straight, and you’ll see a hallway leading to the east wing. That’s where the server room is.”

Sophia resisted the urge to touch her earpiece. “Got it,” she whispered under her breath, hoping no one was close enough to hear.

They reached the hallway Derrick had mentioned, but just as they were about to slip away from the main event, a figure emerged from the crowd, cutting them off.

“James Johnson,” the man said, his voice smooth but carrying a note of suspicion. “It’s been a long time.”

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat as she looked up and recognized the man standing in front of them—Victor Lang, Carmichael’s lieutenant. He was the same man they had seen at the docks, the one who had overseen the deal they had interrupted. His sharp eyes flicked between Sophia and James, his smile polite but far from friendly.

James tensed, though he kept his expression neutral. “Victor. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Victor’s smile widened, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Carmichael always likes to keep an eye on things. You know how it is.”

Sophia forced herself to smile, her pulse racing. “Lovely event,” she said, trying to sound casual. “First time attending.”

Victor’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, and she felt the weight of his scrutiny. It took all of her willpower to remain calm, to keep her expression neutral. She couldn’t afford to slip, not here, not now.

“First time?” Victor said, his voice light but laced with curiosity. “James, you’ve been keeping secrets.”

James gave a tight-lipped smile. “You know how it is. Life gets busy.”

For a moment, it felt like Victor was about to press further, but before he could, someone called his name from across the room. He gave them one last look before nodding. “Enjoy the evening, you two. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”

Sophia exhaled slowly as Victor walked away, her legs feeling weak beneath her. James’s hand tightened on her back, and they quickly resumed their path toward the east wing.

“That was close,” she whispered, her voice shaky.

“Too close,” James muttered, his eyes scanning the room for any other familiar faces. “Let’s keep moving.”

They slipped down the hallway, the noise of the party fading behind them. Derrick’s voice came through the earpiece again. “You’re almost there. Just ahead, you’ll see a door on the left. That’s the server room.”

Sophia’s heart pounded in her chest as they approached the door, her palms sweating despite the cool air. James reached for the handle, testing it, and found it unlocked.

“Go in,” Derrick said. “I’ll guide you from there.”

They stepped into the dimly lit room, and the door closed softly behind them. The server room was filled with blinking lights and humming machinery, the heart of Carmichael’s digital empire.

“This is it,” Sophia whispered.

James nodded, pulling out the small device Derrick had given them. “Let’s end this.”