Chapter 2 Stealing the Show

At dawn, Lia finally gathered the courage to ask about Lukas.

“Where did Lukas go?”

“Mr. Müller left for the office early this morning,” the butler, Erik, replied. “Tonight he’ll be attending the Adler family patriarch’s birthday banquet.”

Bonn City had two great houses: the Müllers, an old family business now led by Lukas, and the Adlers, headed by Lukas’ friend, Felix.

Lia slapped her forehead. She should’ve stopped Lukas earlier—there was so much she needed to tell him.

“Do you need me to pass on a message, madam?” Erik asked.

“No,” Lia sighed. Then she suddenly straightened. “Call the stylist and makeup artist. Now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Before the mirror, Lia grimaced. Her hair was greasy, her face smeared with dirt, and the stench of her own body clung to her.

“Was I insane in my past life?” she muttered at her reflection.

Back then she had even begged for plastic surgery—not to look prettier like other women, but to turn herself into a monster Lukas would find revolting.

The stylist approached nervously. “Madam, what style would you like today?”

For two years at Stilles Haus, Lia had been notorious. If Lukas wanted to take her out, she would either refuse to dress at all and threaten suicide, or demand grotesque hairstyles to humiliate him.

What new torment would she invent today?

Lia’s lips curved into a smile. “Strip off this mess. Tonight, I’m going to the Adler patriarch’s birthday banquet—and I’ll be the most beautiful woman there.”

The stylist and makeup artist froze, exchanging shocked glances.

“Hurry up,” Lia urged.

Outside the door, Erik heard every word. Alarmed, he immediately phoned Lukas.

“Sir, the lady says she intends to attend the Adler banquet to find you.”

Lukas was silent for several seconds. At last his low voice came through: “Protect her.”

The Adler mansion glittered with lights. For the patriarch’s thirtieth birthday, Bonn’s elite had all gathered.

Classical décor, piano music drifting across the grand hall, men talking business, women whispering gossip.

“Look there—Anna and Lena Wagner. Why are the Wagners so close with the Adlers?”

“They’re not here for the Adlers,” another guest murmured, nodding toward a tall man across the hall. “See? That’s Mr. Müller. He rarely attends banquets. Only Felix Adler could get him here tonight.”

“It’s really Mr. Müller!” someone whispered, and the hall buzzed.

Rumors flared. “I heard he’s engaged to a Wagner daughter.”

“It must be Anna. The family only has two girls.”

“Not just two. There was a third—but she was disowned. Wild behavior, drugs, even jail time…”

“Enough.” A voice cut them off. “Neither the Wagners nor the Müllers tolerate that talk. Keep your voices down.”

Despite their aristocratic airs, the Wagner family’s rank was far below the Müllers’. If not for their scandals, they would’ve been irrelevant.

Across the room, Lukas sat elegantly on the sofa, glass of red wine in hand. One leg crossed, body angled lazily, yet every gesture radiated nobility.

His gaze never left the entrance.

Felix Adler settled beside him, chuckling. “Lukas, who are you waiting for? That girl of yours—do you really think she’ll come?”

Lukas’ frown deepened. A cold aura surrounded him, warning others away.

“She’s always been fond of tricks. She probably said it to Erik just to stir trouble.”

Felix smirked. “I told you—claim her openly. But you insist on marriage first, then possession. Forcing it this way is unlike you. Besides, no one in Bonn even knows you’re already married. What a waste.”

Lukas’ eyes darkened. He drained his wine and set the glass down. The banquet was nearly over. Felix’s speech long finished. Another hour gone.

Once again, that liar had deceived him.

He rose to leave.

Then a ripple of gasps swept through the hall.

“Oh my God… who is that?”

Every head turned to the doorway.

A girl stood beneath the chandeliers, her gown a cascade of midnight blue fading to white, diamonds glittering like stars across the fabric.

Golden hair framed a face of porcelain skin, dimpled cheeks, vivid blue eyes, lips as red as petals. She seemed less human than a doll brought to life.

“She’s… breathtaking.”

“Which family’s daughter is she?”

“I don’t recognize her. If anyone rivaled Anna Wagner, we’d know.”

“Wait—why does she look familiar?”

“…a dream?”

It was Lia.

Her gown shimmered with diamonds, her makeup subtle but flawless, her lips scarlet. Every step she took drew stares.

She didn’t search for Lukas. She didn’t need to. His piercing gaze had locked onto her the instant she entered.

She lifted her skirt slightly, ready to cross the hall toward him—

But Anna blocked her path.

“Lia!” Anna’s voice rang out, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Why are you here?”

Whispers surged.

“Lia? That’s Lia Wagner?”

“The one who vanished for two years? The girl with the scandals—drugs, prison?”

“She looks nothing like the wild brat I remember…”

“Oh, I know her. My brother used to race cars with her. That’s definitely her.”

The crowd’s awe turned swiftly to disdain.

Lia, however, remained perfectly calm. She saw the flash of triumph in Anna’s eyes, quickly buried beneath a mask of feigned concern.