"When can you show me a sample of your artwork, Ciena?"
Gideon's voice was smooth, his gaze playful as he leaned slightly toward Ciena, clearly enjoying her discomfort.
Ciena barely had time to formulate an answer.
"You don't need to, Gideon."
The voice cut through the conversation like a blade.
Ciena turned just in time to see Ryzel approaching, his steps purposeful.
Behind him, Ryza and his friend Rafael De Luca, followed closely.
"Hon."
Without hesitation, Ciena stood up, quickly walking toward Ryzel.
For the first time tonight, she felt relieved.
At least now, she had someone on her side in this club full of people who either mocked her or ignored her completely.
But what happened next caught her off guard.
Without warning, Ryzel pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her lips.
Ciena's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Ryzel had never been the type for public displays of affection.
But before she could process it, she relaxed, closing her eyes and kissing him back.
What she didn't see was the way Ryzel's gaze flickered toward Ceres.
Watching.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Hoping to see even the smallest flicker of jealousy in her expression.
And he got one, but not the one he wanted.
Because Ceres smirked.
She didn't look jealous.
She didn't look bothered.
She simply raised a mocking brow as if amused by his pathetic attempt. As if saying, "Are you trying to make me jealous? How cute."
Ryzel's jaw clenched.
Realizing that he wasn't going to get the response he wanted, he abruptly ended the kiss, subtly glancing at Ceres one last time.
But she was already looking away, whispering something into Zeus's ear, her lips curling in amusement.
His stomach twisted.
She had seen him.
And she didn't care at all.
"Maybe you two should get a room,"
Diana's teasing voice broke through the moment of silence.
She had just arrived, sauntering toward their group with her usual air of confidence and sass, Caspian walking beside her.
Ciena felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment, though it wasn't as obvious under the dim, colorful lighting of the club.
Diana, completely unbothered, moved to Ceres's side and greeted her best friend with a casual cheek-to-cheek kiss.
Meanwhile, Zeus and Caspian exchanged nods, their friendship built on years of trust and mutual respect.
Caspian was one of the few men Zeus didn't see as a threat when it came to Ceres.
Not because Caspian lacked power...in fact, he was one of the most dangerous men in the room...
But because he simply wasn't interested in competing with Zeus for her.
Caspian took his seat beside Diana when Diana settled next to Ceres.
"So, what are we talking about?" Caspian asked, signaling to a nearby waiter to bring more drinks and fruit platters to their table.
Ceres, looking completely at ease, rested against Zeus's chest, allowing his arm to wrap lazily around her waist.
The moment she did, she caught the flicker of irritation in Ryzel's expression from the corner of her eye.
She pretended not to notice.
"I just asked Gideon to help my sister, Ciena, with her paintings," she said smoothly, tilting her head slightly against Zeus's shoulder.
Casually, her fingers toyed with the rim of her glass, her golden eyes glimmering with amusement as she watched Ryzel try to keep his expression neutral.
His grip on Ciena's waist tightened just slightly.
Ceres barely held back a chuckle.
It was so easy.
So damn easy.
The boy who had the audacity to throw her away was still pathetically tangled in her web.
She didn't even have to try.
And that, more than anything, amused her to no end.
Meanwhile, Caspian turned to Ciena, his sharp blue eyes observing her with mild curiosity.
"We haven't been introduced."
Ciena blinked, meeting his gaze hesitantly.
"Caspian Sinclair," he introduced himself smoothly, offering his hand.
"Ciena Fuentes," she replied, shaking it briefly.
Caspian leaned back, one arm draping over Diana's back as he studied her.
"You've been with the Monteverdes for over five years, right?"
Ciena nodded.
"Yet, this is the first time I've ever seen you in person." There was no malice in his tone.
"Babe, how will you ever meet her in person if she's rarely on the guest list for high-society parties?"
Diana's voice was matter-of-fact, not mocking, just stating the obvious.
"And on the few occasions she actually attended, those were small events...so insignificant that your assistant didn't even bother telling you that you were invited," she added with a shrug.
"Remember? I'm always your proxy for those kinds of gatherings."
"Because you enjoy those social events," Caspian murmured, reaching out to tilt Diana's chin up with the tips of his fingers, his expression fond.
Diana made a dramatic face, rolling her eyes as if pretending to be annoyed, but the soft blush on her cheeks betrayed her.
"I think you two need to get a room," Xavier cut in, pretending to shiver at their affection.
"We will. Later," Caspian said smoothly, his voice low and teasing.
Diana playfully slapped his chest, causing their friends to laugh at their antics.
But the lighthearted moment didn't last long.
Caspian turned back to Ciena, his gaze sharpening slightly.
"But anyway, back to the painting topic."
He leaned forward, resting his arms casually on the table.
"I think you should go for it, Ciena. If you don't already know, Gideon has a reputation for discovering new talent. If he likes your work, your art will be recognized worldwide."
"I know, right?"
Ceres's voice was sweet, almost encouraging, but the glint in her golden eyes said otherwise.
She was enjoying every second of this.
"She doesn't need it."
Ryzel's voice cut through the conversation like a blade.
Ciena felt him shift beside her, his presence suddenly heavier, more suffocating.
"My fiancée doesn't need to be known worldwide as a painter," he said coolly.
Ciena flinched slightly as Ryzel casually draped an arm around her shoulders, his grip possessive.
"She doesn't need that kind of recognition," he added, his voice pointedly directed at Ceres.
"Especially since we're getting married soon."
He emphasized the word married, his gaze never leaving Ceres.
It was a clear taunt, a silent reminder, 'I chose someone else.'
But Ceres?
She didn't even blink.
She just smirked, lazily tilting her head, her expression mocking.
Meanwhile, Zeus...who had barely acknowledged Ryzel all night...finally reacted.
He took a slow sip of his scotch, his grip tightening slightly around the crystal glass.
His other hand?
It was idly playing with Ceres's long platinum-blonde hair, twisting the silky strands between his fingers as if he owned her.
Then, he smirked.
"Don't you want your soon-to-be wife to have her own identity, Ryzel?" Zeus said smoothly, his voice laced with mockery. "Or do you prefer that she's just known as 'Ryzel's wife'?"
Ciena froze.
She looked down, gripping the fabric of her dress as the uncomfortable truth settled in.
Did she?
Did she really want to be just someone's wife?
"Come on, cousin." Ryza rolled her eyes, flipping her long dark hair behind her shoulder. "We all know Ceres just wants to humiliate Ciena. That's why she suggested showing her paintings to Gideon."
Her voice was sharp, her tone accusatory.
A few of the men exchanged looks, waiting to see how Ceres would react.
Ceres placed a delicate hand over her chest, her golden eyes widening slightly as if offended.
"Humiliate?" she echoed, blinking innocently. "That was never my intention."
She tilted her head toward Ryza, her voice almost disappointed.
"Besides, Ryza… even if that were the case, do you really believe that my sister would be humiliated?"
The question hung in the air, dangerous and unspoken.
"Don't you trust her talent?"
Ryza's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
Because with those few words, Ceres had just flipped the entire argument back on her.
By implying that Ciena would be humiliated, wasn't Ryza also implying that her paintings weren't good enough?
That Gideon wouldn't even consider her talent worthy of his time?
Ceres leaned in slightly.
"I thought you were her friend?"
Ryza's face stiffened, and for once...she had nothing to say.
"That's… That's not what I meant," Ryza stammered, her confidence momentarily faltering.
But Diana, who had been quietly observing, suddenly let out a low chuckle.
She turned to Ryza with a smirk.
"But that's how it sounded to us," she said smoothly, taking a sip of her drink.
"Your sister just wanted to connect you to the right people," Zeus said, his sharp gaze landing on Ciena.
His tone was calm, yet there was an unmistakable edge of finality to his words.
"But if you want to settle for just being 'Ryzel's wife,' then so be it."
Ciena stiffened at his words, but Zeus wasn't finished.
"There's no need to twist Ceres's gesture into something negative. She's offering you an opportunity...nothing more."
He casually poured another glass of scotch, the sound of the liquid filling his glass lingering in the air.
Then, turning his attention to Ceres,.
"See, love?" His voice was low, but he made sure that everyone at the table could hear him. "No matter what you do, they'll always assume you're up to something bad...even when you're just trying to help."
He took a slow sip of his drink before smirking slightly.
"So stop going out of your way for them."
His words hung in the air like a loaded gun.
Even Ceres was momentarily surprised.
Of course, Zeus knew her plan wasn't exactly pure-hearted.
And yet, here he was, spinning the narrative, flipping the situation so that she now looked like the misunderstood, well-meaning sister.
Ceres bit her lip to suppress a grin.
God, this man really knows me well.
And the best part?
He didn't just accept her manipulations.
He indulged them.
Every whim. Every diabolical plan.
And right now?
He was turning the tables in her favor.
So, naturally, she played along.
With a small pout, Ceres leaned forward, looking almost vulnerable.
"I was just trying to be nice to her," she murmured.
Her golden eyes held just the right amount of sadness as if she were deeply hurt by how ungrateful her sister was being.
"I've seen how much time she spends painting, but she never shows her work to anyone." She sighed, looking at Gideon for added effect.
"I just thought you could help her."
And just like that, the atmosphere shifted.
Ceres had successfully turned herself into the victim.
Now, it wasn't her who looked cruel.
It was Ciena, Ryzel, and Ryza, the ones who doubted her.
There was a noticeable silence, and Ciena could feel the disapproving gazes of the people around them.
Even Gideon, who was clearly just enjoying the show, raised an eyebrow at Ryza as if silently asking, 'Do you really think your friend is that untalented?'
Ryza pressed her lips together, realizing that, in her attempt to expose Ceres, she had only humiliated Ciena instead.
"Let's end this conversation here," Zeus finally declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"It's ruining the mood."
"Agreed," Diana chimed in, grinning. She grabbed her drink, finishing it in one quick gulp before hopping off her seat. "We came here to unwind, dance, and get drunk. So let's do that!"
She reached for Ceres's hand, pulling her up from her seat.
Zeus let her go with a chuckle, watching as she and Diana made their way to the dance floor.
"In my line of sight," Caspian warned, his blue eyes following Diana closely.
Diana simply rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, Daddy Caspian. I know the rules."
But she and Ceres still began dancing, making sure to stay within view of their group.
Meanwhile, Ryzel was still seething in frustration.
So was Ryza.
But Ciena?
She was lost in thought.
Because…
What if Ceres was actually just trying to help?
She had always assumed the worst when it came to Ceres.
But maybe, just maybe, she had been wrong.
Maybe her sister truly wanted to give her an opportunity.
And it wasn't like Ciena wanted fame.
She didn't need to be recognized worldwide.
But she did want something.
Something she had never had since she entered the Monteverde family.
Her own identity.
Because for the past seven years, she had only been two things.
Romos's charity case.
And now, Ryzel's new fiancée.
She didn't want to live the rest of her life being someone's attachment.
She wanted to be Ciena Fuentes...the painter.
And maybe, just maybe, she had been too quick to doubt Ceres's intentions.