"What the fuck!" Felix cursed.
His hand shot up instinctively, muscles tensing as he moved to strike her back.
Annabella didn't flinch.
"I dare you," she said coldly, her voice low but lethal.
"Lay a hand on me and let's see if your entire family lives to see another day."
The words hit harder than the slap.
Felix froze mid-motion, his raised hand hanging uselessly in the air before he slowly lowered it.
He laughed — a sharp, wicked sound and slipped both hands into his pockets.
"Are you threatening me?" he scoffed.
"Who the fuck do you think you are? You think you can slap me like that and walk away?"
He leaned closer, invading her space, his breath brushing her face.
"This hasty action of yours," he whispered darkly, "will cost you dearly tonight."
He was already imagining it — how he'd ruin her, break her confidence, make her regret ever crossing his path.
She should have been scared.
But Instead…
Annabella laughed.
Not a nervous laugh.
Not a forced one.
She laughed so hard she had to lift a hand to cover her mouth, shoulders shaking.
Felix frowned, confusion flickering across his face.
"Do you even know who you're talking to?" Annabella asked, her lips curling into a dangerous smirk.
"Bella!"
Amelia rushed toward them, panic written all over her face. Evelyn followed closely behind.
Felix turned to Amelia at once.
Their eyes met — just for a second.
Then Amelia looked away.
She walked straight past him as if he didn't exist, stopping in front of Annabella instead.
"Why are you inviting rascals to your party?" Annabella scoffed.
"I…don't know him," Amelia said quickly, tucking her hair behind her ear. "There are many people here. He's probably someone's escort."
She turned back to Annabella, worry etched into her face.
"But Bella… you slapped him. What's going on between you two? Do you know him?" Her heart was racing afraid of hearing 'Yes'.
"Bella…" Felix murmured slowly.
Annabella.
The name finally clicked.
His eyes widened slightly as realization sank in.
*Annabella Rodriguez.*
So that was why Amelia had walked past him like he was invisible.
So *this* was his target.
He looked her from head to toe, kissing his thumb.
"HOT!" He thought to himself.
"Turns out this game would not be as boring as I thought." He smirked inwardly.
Annabella met Felix's gaze briefly.
He said nothing.
She turned back to Amelia… then to Evelyn.
No one here knew what had really happened.
Felix didn't know she was the girl in the maid's uniform.
And there was no way in hell she was going to tell him that.
She wasn't ready for that kind of humiliation.
Evelyn touched her shoulder gently. "Are you okay?"
Annabella blinked, snapping out of her thoughts.
"I'm fine," she said dismissively. "I just found him ugly, so I slapped him."
Amelia stared at her. "That's it?"
"Girl," Annabella said sharply, lifting her chin, "I am Annabella Rodriguez. I can do whatever the fuck I want. Slapping this man here for fun meant absolutely nothing."
She looked straight at Felix.
To her surprise, he was silent now. Even the fury in his eyes had dulled.
"Get him out of here," she added coolly.
"I don't want to see him again — not tonight. Or I might rip his eyes out."
She turned and walked away.
Evelyn hurried after her.
"Girl," Evelyn whispered as they entered the hall, "don't tell me you don't know who that is."
Annabella scoffed. "Do I look like I give a shit about his identity?"
Whispers followed them instantly.
"Hey! Look who's over there."
"Oh my God, Annabella Rodriguez."
"She gets hotter every day."
Girls gossiped openly.
Men stared shamelessly.
Normally, Annabella would wave… maybe even blow a kiss.
Tonight, she ignored them all.
She found a comfortable seat and dropped into it. Evelyn sat beside her.
"That's Felix Morales," Evelyn said quietly.
"He's a hot topic among girls, and you just slapped him. You're really something, Bella."
Annabella chuckled as she picked up a glass of wine.
"It's actually funny."
"What's funny?" Evelyn asked. "The slap?" she raised an eyebrow.
"No." Annabella took a slow sip.
"His father was at Daddy's event this afternoon. He said he wanted me to meet his son." She sighed.
"Never thought we'd meet this way. Total turn-out."
"Oh my God," Evelyn gasped. "That's bad."
She narrowed her eyes playfully. "But seriously… what really happened between you two? I don't buy that 'ugly face' excuse. Everyone knew that Felix Morales is damn handsome."
She snatched Annabella's wine and gulped it, staring at her expectantly.
"Ok fine. Promise me you won't tell anyone," Annabella whispered.
"Especially Amelia." she added.
"I promise," Evelyn said instantly, raising her hands and leaning closer.
Annabella exhaled.
"I bumped into him this afternoon when I was sneaking out of the mansion disguised as a maid and….."
"Shit!" Evelyn burst out. "He said all that to you?"
"Can you imagine?" Annabella scoffed angrily, running a hand through her hair.
"He dared to ask me to lick his shoes. 'Me'. Annabella Rodriguez."
Evelyn laughed.
"Don't you dare laugh at me," Annabella snapped. "Why did I even tell you?"
"Sorry, sorry," Evelyn said, still holding back a grin.
Silent follows.
"But honestly… I don't think Felix knew it was you." Evelyn said after thinking about the whole thing.
Annabella shot her a glare.
"I mean," Evelyn continued carefully, "he just punished a maid. And you're not exactly innocent when it comes to that either. Infact, you're worst."
Annabella fell silent.
Evelyn wasn't wrong.
But he still crossed her path.
"Help me with your phone," Annabella said, stretching out her hand.
"Sure." Evelyn pulled it from her bag and handed it over.
Annabella's fingers moved swiftly across the screen, her expression turning focused.
"What are you doing?" Evelyn asked, peeking.
"Digging up Felix Morales," Annabella replied calmly. "I don't think this is over."
Evelyn said nothing.
She turned her attention back to the entertainers.
…
"Oh, look at you, baby… did she really slap you that hard?" Amelia leaned in, inspecting his cheek as if it were delicate glass. Then she pressed a soft kiss there — soothing, possessive.
Felix scoffed, sinking back into the leather seat.
"You never told me your friend is an imbecile."
They were both sitting inside his car now, the night humming quietly around them.
"She can be worse than that," Amelia muttered, irritation flashing through her voice.
"What did you even do to offend her?" she asked.
Felix frowned, searching his memory. "I don't even remember meeting her before today."
"I'm sorry, beb. I should've warned you," Amelia murmured, her voice softening. Her hand slid up his chest.
"Don't worry," Felix said, the darkness in his eyes sharpening. "Once I'm done with her, she'll pay double."
Amelia sighed. "But our first plan is ruined. Bella already hates you. How are we supposed to make her fall in love with you now?"
Felix straightened his suit, confidence settling across his shoulders like armor.
"Relax. I'm Felix Morales. No girl resists me for long."
She searched his face — then pouted, teasing and serious at once.
"Fine. But promise me you won't fall for her."
He caught her hand and pressed it firmly to his heart like a promise.
"God forbid. I already have you. You're the only woman in my heart."
Her lips curved. "I love you," she whispered placing her lips into his.
Their mouths met — slow at first, then deeper. He pulled her closer, responding with a hunger that grew hotter with every second.
His fingers brushed down the edge of her red gown, another hand slipping beneath fabric, heat sparking between them.
Juust as he was about talking down the car seats…
Amelia broke the kiss, breath unsteady.
"Not here, baby," she whispered.
"It's my event. I have to go back inside."
"But I want you," Felix murmured against her skin, kissing the line of her neck.
"You're the only one who can calm me down right now."
She laughed softly, brushing her lips lightly over his. "Later. Tonight. Your villa."
She adjusted her dress, smoothing every trace of the moment away before stepping out, as if nothing had happened.
"I'll be waiting," he said, eyes dark. "And I'll make sure you can't even stand properly tomorrow."
She paused at the window, smiled through the glass — slow and seductive. "I can't wait."
Felix watched her disappear into the hall.
Then he gripped the steering wheel, engine roaring to life — and sped away.
…
Amelia glided back into the hall with a smile polished to perfection, collecting congratulations as if they were petals tossed at her feet.
"Thank you," she laughed softly.
"Oh! You're here too.. I'm glad you made it!"
Her eyes swept the room.
Searching.
When she finally spotted Annabella and Evelyn, she smoothed her dress, straightened her shoulders, and walked toward them.
"What took you so long?" Evelyn asked.
Annabella's eyes were still fixed on Felix's profile on the phone screen — calculating.
"Just accepting wishes," Amelia replied, sitting down across from them like nothing mattered.
"Is he gone?" Annabella dropped the phone at last.
"Who?" Amelia blinked innocently.
"That guy? It turned out he was at the wrong event." She giggled like it was nothing.
Two men passed by and waved. "Congratulations, Miss Amelia!"
"Awnn!! Thank you," she said sweetly.
Then they looked at Annabella.
"You look stunning tonight, Miss Annabella."
Amelia's smile faltered.
Annabella blew them a playful kiss. "Thank you, darlings."
The guys actually staggered back.
"Bro… pinch me. Annabella Rodriguez just blew me a kiss."
Annabella laughed.
Amelia's jaw tightened.
Of course.
No matter whose party it was… somehow, the spotlight always slid toward Annabella.
"Baddies, let's get wasted tonight," Amelia suggested lightly. "What's a party without alcohol?"
"I'm in," Annabella muttered. "I need something to cool me down."
"I'll stay sober so I can take care of you," Evelyn said.
She actually hated alcohol because her father is a drunkard and always lay his hands on her mother after he becomed wasted.
"Fun spoiler," Annabella scoffed.
"Bring vodka," Amelia clapped.
Bottles arrived. Glasses were filled.
"Let's see who finishes first," Amelia challenged.
Annabella lifted her glass and didn't stop until it was empty.
Amelia pretended to choke and set hers aside.
"Annabella Rodriguez never loses." Her voice was already loosening. "I want more!"
"Of course." Amelia smiled — too calmly. More bottles arrived.
Annabella drank… And drank.
And somewhere between the music and the lights, the world tilted.
"Let's dance!" she shouted, stumbling toward the floor.
Evelyn watched from her seat, worried.
The music throbbed. Annabella moved with reckless abandon, hands sliding over her own body as cheers rose around her.
Phones lifted. Flashes blinked. Streams went live.
Her name echoed through the hall.
Annabella only went wilder.
A guy slipped behind her, staring openly, hunger written all over his face.
"Damn… sexy." he murmured licking his lips.
His hand brushed her.
She ignored it. The music was louder than her thoughts.
Then he grabbed her ass fully even squeezing it to feel the softness of what his eyes were seeing.
Annabella froze.
She turned and give him a deadly glare.
The man quickly moved his hands away and turned around like he did nothing.
Ananbella walked away without a word.
Picked up a bottle.
Returned.
And brought it down on his head.
Glass shattered. Blood spilled.
The room gasped.
"Annabella!" Evelyn rushed to her side.
Across the hall, Amelia crossed her legs and smiled.
Perfect.
People were recording. Cameras flashing. Gossip is already blooming.
Annabella dancing like she'd lost control.
Annabella smashing a bottle over someone's skull.
Annabella — the Rodriguez heiress — ruining herself in front of everyone.
Exactly as planned.
And as the murmurs rose and the music died, Annabella stood there, chest rising, eyes burning — not with fear…
…but with something darker.
Something dangerous.
Somewhere in the corner, a phone buzzed.
A message popped onto the screen.
*SEND IT NOW*
The owner smirked and looked towards Amelia.
And at that exact moment…
Mr. Rodriguez's name flashed across Evelyn's phone.
Incoming call.
Evelyn tapped Annabella's shoulders.
"Girl, you father is calling."