acm0219

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

If I had a list of the worst decisions I'd ever made, this one would rank near the top.

Breaking into Liam Kingston's personal vault wasn't just dangerous—it was suicidal. The man didn't trust anyone, and for good reason. Every person in his life had either betrayed him or tried to kill him. The fact that I had managed to stay alive this long was a miracle.

Kai drove in silence, hands gripping the wheel like he wanted to strangle someone. Probably me.

"Tell me again why we're doing this?" he asked, his voice sharp with frustration.

"Because Adrian has answers."

Kai let out a harsh laugh. "Right. And you think he's just gonna hand them over? You don't even know what's in that file, Celeste."

"That's exactly why I need to get it."

Kai slammed the brakes at a red light, turning to glare at me. "You're seriously risking your life for information from a guy we just met?"

I met his gaze, unflinching. "I'm risking my life because I refuse to be the one being hunted."

He exhaled through his nose, gripping the wheel tighter. He hated this. I could see it in his eyes. But he also knew I wasn't going to change my mind.

"Fine," he muttered. "How are we getting in?"

I pulled out my phone, bringing up the blueprint I had memorized. "Liam's vault is in his penthouse. Security is tight, but he's hosting an event tonight—lots of bodies, lots of distractions."

"And you think you can just waltz in and crack his safe?"

I smirked. "I don't think, Kai. I know."

The event was already in full swing by the time we arrived. The penthouse was filled with the city's elite—business moguls, criminals in designer suits, and women draped in diamonds.

I stepped out of the car, adjusting my dress. Red. Bold. Dangerous. If I was going to steal from Liam Kingston, I might as well look good doing it.

Kai fell into step beside me, scanning the room like the trained soldier he was. "I hate this."

"Noted," I murmured, plastering on a smile as I slipped through the crowd.

Liam was easy to spot—standing near the bar, glass of whiskey in hand, looking like he owned the entire world. His dark eyes scanned the room, sharp and calculating.

I felt his gaze land on me, a flicker of recognition sparking in his expression.

I winked at him. Then disappeared into the crowd.

Kai's voice crackled in my earpiece. "You're playing with fire."

"Then let's hope I don't get burned," I whispered, slipping down the hall toward the vault.

It was time to see what Liam Kingston was hiding.

Chapter 25: Into the Lion’s Den