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Once known as the naive and kind-hearted Ava Montague, she was betrayed, framed, and left to die by the very people she trusted most—her fiancé, best friend, and stepmother. But death did not claim her. Instead, a mysterious organization saved her and gave her a new identity: "The Vixen."
With a new face, a new name, and a burning desire for revenge, she returns as Celeste Vauxhall, a woman who plays by no rules but her own. She is no longer the weak, innocent girl she once was—she is now a master manipulator, using charm, intelligence, and deception to dismantle those who wronged her.
But revenge is a double-edged sword. As she gets closer to her targets, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of power, love, and deception. And when a mysterious billionaire with secrets of his own enters her life, the lines between vengeance and passion blur. Will she succeed in her mission, or will she lose herself in the very darkness she sought to control?

The Vixen

Liam held my hand a moment too long.

His thumb brushed against my skin—an unconscious habit, a flicker of something familiar. But there was no way he could recognize me. Not like this.

I tilted my head, amused. "Something wrong, Mr. Astor?"

He blinked, his grip tightening for a fraction of a second before he let go. "Not at all. I just... feel like we've met before."

Serena's perfectly painted smile faltered at his words.

Kai, standing beside me, casually slipped an arm around my waist. Claiming me. A subtle, deliberate move. And from the way Liam's jaw tensed, I knew he had noticed.

"How charming," Serena cut in, voice sweet but sharp. "Celeste, you said? What brings you to the Montague Gala?"

I sipped my champagne, letting the bubbles fizz on my tongue. "Business, of course. I'm looking into potential investments. I heard this event is where the most interesting deals happen."

Liam's gaze darkened slightly, just enough for me to catch it.

Serena laughed lightly, placing a possessive hand on Liam's arm. "Well, my fiancé is quite the expert when it comes to investments."

The word was a sharp, bitter thing, but I only smiled.

"So I've heard," I mused, setting my glass down. "In fact, I'd love to pick your brain sometime, Mr. Astor. Over dinner, perhaps?"

Kai exhaled a quiet chuckle beside me, but he didn't interrupt.

Liam's lips parted slightly, like he wasn't sure if he had misheard me. Serena's nails dug into his arm.

"That sounds... intriguing," Liam said, his voice measured. "I suppose we'll have to see if our schedules align."

Serena's smile was now a fraction too tight. "Oh, darling, I'm sure Liam's quite busy these days. But perhaps we'll see you around, Celeste."

I extended a hand to Serena this time, tilting my head in mock curiosity. "I must say, your ring is stunning. A true statement piece."

Her fingers twitched before she placed them in mine.

"Thank you," she said, her voice still smooth. "Liam has exquisite taste."

I ran my thumb over the massive diamond, my lips curving. "Yes... He certainly does."

Liam didn't move. He was still watching me, like I was a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.

Kai placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me away. As we walked, he chuckled under his breath.

"You're playing with fire."

I smirked, my blood humming with adrenaline.

"Then let's see who gets burned first."

Chapter 10: A Dance with the Devil