Five years had passed since her life had been turned upside down, and yet the memories remained vivid in her mind. She stood at the step of the private jet. The crisp autumn breeze rustled her brunette hair. Her sunglasses shielding her eyes from the sun. She stepped off the private jet. Her pointed heels clicked as she walked down the mental steps. She was no longer the carefree young woman she once was, but a shrewd woman on important business. She walked to the black car parked in front. The driver opened the door.
"This way, ma'am," he said firmly.
She slid into the car smoothly, her lips curving into a small smile while she glanced out the tinted windows. The buildings outside blurred as they drove. She didn't have time to admire it; there was a schedule to keep.
The car stopped in front of a spa. It was the kind that catered only to the well-connected. She stepped out, adjusting her sunglasses. The concierge greeted her with a wide smile.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. Welcome back," he handed her a keycard for the salon.
She nodded politely and walked through the lobby. After checking in, she headed to the salon section. This wasn't just a visit to fix her hair. She had her reasons for being here.
"Just at the brim, ya?" the stylist asked, already positioning her perfectly in the chair.
She nodded briefly. Her hair was already perfect. She was here for the conversation. "Lydia, turn on the TV," she instructed.
Lydia switched on the television, the low hum of conversations from the television. A news report was already underway. She sat nearby, sipping water. Glanced at the screen, her face calm, until the anchor mentioned the cyberattack.
"Perfect," she whispered.
"Just in, a cyberattack is threatening to expose sensitive financial data," the reporter began. "Rumors are circling about a money-laundering scheme. Reports suggest VestorCorp has been laundering money for a notorious crime organization for years, funneling dirty funds through their legitimate businesses. Sources say someone has uncovered the operation and is threatening to go public."
She tilted her head slightly, a faint smile on her lips.
A group of women nearby spoke just loud enough to be overheard.
"VestorCorp… isn't that Caius Thorne's company?" one of them whispered.
"He's done for," another replied.
"Can you believe that?" one said. "What a scandal."
"Not surprised," another woman added, crossing her arms. "That man's always been arrogant. You can tell by looking at him. I feel bad for his child, though."
"And his wife," one murmured sympathetically.
"Poor Lauren. She's probably just caught up in his mess. I mean, she had no idea about the money stuff, right?"
"Yes. But poor Lauren. She's probably just as much a victim in all of this."
Their pitying words struck a chord, and her smile grew just a little wider. She picked up the glass of water beside her, taking a sip.
"Award-winning actress Miss H" she choked on the water, "is taking part in a charity fundraising performance in response to the recent devastating earthquake in..."
She coughed uncontrollably. Even caught the attention of everyone in the room.
"Are you okay?"
She waved them off, dabbing at herself with a napkin. "Mm-hmm,"
Their eyes turned back to each other.
"Oh my, Miss H?"
"She is such a good person,"
"I totally agree,"
"no one has seen her face or even knows what she looks like,"
"That's crazy. She is such an inspiration,"
"Miss Lauren?" Lydia's voice broke through her thoughts.
She blinked, "Yes?"
"Where's your mind? I've been calling you for a while now."
"Oh, nothing," she replied.
"I'm done," Lydia said, spinning the chair around. Lauren checked her reflection in the mirror briefly and nodded.
"Here's my card," she said, handing over her payment.
A salon is usually filled with women gossiping loudly. The biggest reporter in the country was seated at the corner, casually observing the room. Lauren's presence wasn't an accident. It was all part of her plan. She paid those women to say good things about her, to make sure the reporter's ears picked up the right words. And leave her out Caius's scandal.
But when they mentioned Miss H, she was stunned. No one knew who Miss H was. Rumors have it that she's just as good as acting, as she is at producing. For years now, she's been producing award winning movies. She's been acting, but no knows her true identity.