Veiled intentions

Morning light crept through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Alice as she woke to find her daughter curled against her side, her small hand resting on Alice's blouse. She watched her daughter for a moment, brushing a few loose curls away from her face, feeling that fierce protectiveness she reserved only for this child. The serene calm of the morning helped steady her resolve for what lay ahead. Today, Seattle's elite would remember the name they thought they'd left behind.

After helping her daughter prepare for her caregiver, Alice sat down with a steaming cup of coffee when her assistant's call came through.

"Miss Alice, a few updates regarding the Hunt family's gathering this evening," he began smoothly, running down her itinerary and the nature of the gathering. "It's an introduction event for Jermin Hunt's parents' adopted daughter, Raya. She's been building a name in the city's social circles over the past three years."

Alice listened, one hand lightly brushing the locket hidden beneath her blouse—a symbol of her inheritance and the legacy she would reclaim.

Her assistant paused, then added, "Also, a piece of personal news: John and Sherlin are expected to announce their engagement at the event. They've delayed any formal announcement for years now because of the obvious connection with you, given that your marriage to John was still fresh in society's mind after you… disappeared."

Alice's gaze grew distant as she listened, a cold calm settling over her. Of course, they'd waited to avoid the shame of marrying into an affair so soon after her vanishing. Three years, she thought, was just long enough for people to assume she was dead. The bitterness was sharp, but Alice's mind was already turning over the possibilities. She wondered, in a glint of dark humor, if they would cancel their little engagement if she appeared tonight to remind everyone of her very-much-alive presence.

"Is there anything more, Miss Alice?" her assistant's voice brought her back to the moment.

"Nothing more. Just ensure everything is ready."

"One last thing," he added, hesitantly. "There's been a substantial offer—a million dollars from a client requesting a consultation with Dr. Anti."

Alice arched a brow. Requests for Dr. Anti were rare and always high-stakes. "Delay my response. I'll review it after the event."

"Understood." His voice softened with a note of admiration. "It's remarkable seeing you like this, Miss Alice. I think they'll realize what they lost."

The faintest smile touched her lips as she ended the call.

---

Later, Alice slipped out to select a gift for the Hunt family. She found a rare art piece that she knew would resonate with Jermin's grandparents, an elegant symbol of her presence. It was a subtle nod to the family's taste and wealth, one she knew would make an impression, precisely as intended. On her way back, her thoughts drifted to the day ahead, the goals she'd set for herself, and the mysteries she still needed to solve. She intended to reclaim her inheritance, confront those who betrayed her, and quietly resolve the questions about her daughter's birth with a DNA test. Not out of sentimentality, but because it would bring clarity to any lingering threads that might interfere with her plans.

---

By late afternoon, Alice received the gown she'd requested from an exclusive designer—a dress meticulously crafted to accentuate her beauty while commanding attention. It was a deep emerald green, sculpted elegantly to her body, with delicate lacework along the neckline that hinted at allure without giving anything away. The fabric shimmered with a subtle sophistication, flowing over her figure and hinting at her curves in all the right places. She wore a single, understated necklace that highlighted her collarbone, and small, tasteful diamond earrings that glinted whenever she moved. She looked in the mirror, noting the transformation. The woman staring back was no longer the timid Alice they'd once known; she was formidable, a vision of poised strength.

As she was leaving her suite, she noticed Jermin approaching from down the hall, his gaze caught on her, lingering in a way she couldn't ignore. He paused, his eyes appraising her slowly, from the gentle sweep of her dress to the striking elegance of her jewelry. There was an intensity in his expression as he took in her appearance—a look that was both intrigued and slightly cold.

Jermin's gaze settled back on her face, but not before trailing deliberately over her figure. There was a faint flicker of something like surprise in his eyes, though he hid it quickly. He hadn't expected a woman this young, with such striking presence, to be a mother—and one without a man by her side, as his mind couldn't help but note.

For a brief moment, his usual mask slipped, and curiosity edged into his expression. "Quite the ensemble, Miss…?" He left the question hanging, his tone laced with barely disguised arrogance.

"Alice," she answered coolly, meeting his gaze. "And you must be Mr. Hunt."

"Indeed." He raised an eyebrow, his gaze a mixture of interest and disdain as he looked her over again. "Quite a young age to have a child without… paternal connections."

The jab was thinly veiled, meant to undermine her confidence, but Alice's expression didn't waver.

"Some people manage just fine on their own," she replied smoothly, her eyes flashing with quiet defiance. "Although I doubt you'd understand that."

A slight smile tugged at Jermin's mouth, though his expression remained icy. "Not the response I expected. It's unusual to meet someone so… forward, even here."

"Then consider it a lesson in expectation," she replied, her voice calm, though her eyes held a dangerous glint. "Not everyone conforms to the ideas you hold, Mr. Hunt."

The tension between them was palpable. Jermin's gaze lingered on her once more before he inclined his head slightly, an acknowledgment of her refusal to back down. The smirk on his lips suggested that he found her attitude both irritating and fascinating.

"Interesting," he murmured, stepping aside with a cool nod. "I look forward to seeing what other surprises you have in store this evening."

With that, she brushed past him, her heels clicking confidently against the marble floor as she headed down the hall. His gaze followed her, unreadable but unmistakably intrigued. This woman, this Alice, was a puzzle he hadn't expected to encounter.

As she slipped into the waiting car, her mind shifted back to the task ahead. Tonight was her first true step back into the world she'd left behind, a calculated move to place herself squarely in the midst of the people who had written her off. She was prepared, fortified by the quiet strength she'd built over three years. And if she was lucky, tonight would be the night she reclaimed her rightful place in this world—and perhaps, just perhaps, begin to dismantle those who thought they'd succeeded in erasing her.