A Lady in Red

The moment Arabella stepped out of the black Bentley, the world stopped.

She wore red.

Not just any red... a scarlet power dress, custom Dior, slit high on one side, sleeveless, hugging every curve. The fabric shimmered in the daylight like liquid danger. She looked like a woman reborn from fire and betrayal.

And everyone saw it.

The paparazzi swarmed like hornets.

"Arabella! Are you back with Crane Industries?"

"Is it true Juliette faked her pregnancy?"

"How long have you been seeing Lucien Wolfe?"

Arabella didn't flinch.

She walked straight through the crowd like royalty, unbothered, untouchable.

The moment hit social media within minutes.

#ArabellaReturns

#LadyInRed

#JulietteExposed

She wasn't just a woman anymore.

She was a storm.

Inside Crane Tower – The Executive Wing

Juliette stood at the window, eyes locked on the growing crowd outside.

"She's doing this on purpose," she hissed.

Sebastian didn't answer.

"She wants to humiliate us."

Sebastian finally turned from the window, his expression unreadable.

"She didn't leak anything to the press. We have no proof it was her."

Juliette whirled on him. "You saw the way she walked in! She's not trying to be quiet anymore. She's trying to make me look like a joke."

"You did that all on your own," he said coldly.

Juliette froze.

The silence stretched.

Then her eyes narrowed. "You still love her."

Sebastian didn't deny it.

Boardroom – One Hour Later

The Crane Industries Board had never been this full.

Investors. Executives. Reporters. Everyone wanted to know what would happen next.

Arabella sat on the right side of the table, across from Sebastian.

She hadn't been invited.

She showed up anyway.

The chairman cleared his throat. "We understand Mrs. Crane...excuse me, Ms. Hart...wishes to present a counter-proposal to the merger."

Arabella stood.

She slid a sleek folder down the table.

"Attached are documents confirming multiple compliance violations initiated under Juliette Langston's signature... many of which were hidden from this board."

Gasps.

Juliette went pale.

Sebastian's jaw clenched.

Arabella continued. "Additionally, I'm offering a restructuring plan. A legal alternative to the merger that preserves investor assets, enhances long-term ROI, and restores public trust."

The room buzzed.

One executive murmured, "She just outmaneuvered them both."

Juliette turned to Sebastian. "You promised me this company."

"I promised you a deal," he said. "That deal's dead."

Arabella sat down calmly.

Juliette stormed out of the room.

But before she passed the door, she hissed toward Arabella: "You think you've won? I'm not done."

Arabella smiled. "Neither am I."

Later – Wolfe Enterprises Penthouse

Lucien stood by the bar, watching Arabella with rare amusement.

"You broke the internet today."

"I didn't mean to wear red," she said, sipping champagne. "It was just what I grabbed."

He chuckled. "Of course it was."

She sat on the velvet armrest beside him.

"I want to go further," she said. "Not just take down Juliette. Not just Crane."

Lucien raised a brow. "Then what?"

"I want to build something better."

Lucien leaned closer.

"Arabella Hart Industries?"

"No," she said with a soft smile.

"Hart & Wolfe."

Midnight – Arabella's Hotel Suite

Her phone buzzed.

A number she hadn't seen in years.

Blocked ID.

She hesitated.

Then answered.

A woman's voice.

Smooth. Familiar. Dangerous.

"Well, well. Arabella Hart. Still burning bridges I built for you?"

Arabella's breath hitched.

"You didn't think you could rewrite your story without me finding out, did you?"

"Why are you calling me?" Arabella whispered.

"Because you still owe me. And I always collect."

The line went dead.

Arabella stared at the phone, shaken.

Flashback – Ten Years Ago

A younger Arabella sat in a courthouse hallway, trembling. Crying. A woman with red nails and diamond earrings sat beside her, cool as ice.

"You want out of this mess?" the woman asked. "You want a new life?"

Arabella nodded, desperate.

"Then you take this money. You disappear. You never mention what happened that night."

Arabella took the envelope.

And the secret that came with it.

Present

She dropped the phone.

Lucien didn't know.

Sebastian didn't know.

No one knew.

But now?

That secret... the one she buried, was coming back to destroy everything.