The Villains Must Win-Chapter 212: No Second Chances 12

A few days later, the city glittered under the weight of another exclusive event—a high-society gala and charity auction that drew only the wealthiest, the most connected, and the most enviable people.

Lina, of course, was not invited. She never was. Not publicly, at least.

She had always been the shadow behind Christian—hidden, erased, unacknowledged. But this time, she wasn’t going to sit back quietly.

This time, she had a plan.

The final push came from Stacey, as usual. That woman had a remarkable talent for cruelty wrapped in polished smiles.

Lina’s phone buzzed all day—videos of Stacey spinning in front of the mirror in a designer gown, close-up shots of glittering jewelry with captions like "Christian picked this one himself. It’s my favorite."

And then, the final dagger—a photo of Stacey on Christian’s arm, both of them stepping into the gala with flashes of cameras bouncing off their perfectly curated image.

"See you at the auction. Oh, wait—you’re not invited, right?" the message said, followed by a winking emoji.

Lina stared at her screen for a moment, then set her jaw and stood up.

She wasn’t going to be humiliated from afar. If Stacey wanted to play games, she would meet her there—face to face.

Lina didn’t need an invitation. Not when she could blend in just fine. With the help of her old stylist, she picked out a sleek, elegant black gown—one that didn’t scream for attention, but turned heads all the same. Her makeup was subtle, her hair swept into a sophisticated twist, her expression neutral.

She arrived at the gala alone, stepping out of a hired car like she belonged there. And in a way, she did. She’d spent years in the background of this world—watching, learning, enduring.

Tonight, she was no longer the hidden mistress or discarded secret. She was simply a woman on a mission.

Her heels clicked softly across the marble floor as she entered the ballroom. Crystal chandeliers shimmered above, laughter and clinking glasses filled the air. She scanned the room once, locating them easily.

Christian, tall and charismatic as ever, in a tailored tuxedo. Stacey, clinging to his side, glowing in an emerald gown, her baby bump deliberately emphasized, the same necklace from the photo gleaming around her neck.

They didn’t see her—yet.

Lina moved through the crowd like smoke, nodding to familiar faces, smiling politely. She wasn’t here to make a scene. She was here to watch. To gather information. To confirm what she already suspected: that Christian had fully given himself to this life and to Stacey.

But what neither of them realized was that Lina had already let go. She wasn’t clinging anymore. She was planning her exit, her rebirth.

Tonight wasn’t about jealousy. It was about observation, and plan his next move.

And by the end of it, she would know exactly how to disappear from Christian’s world—for good.

Christian saw her.

The moment Lina entered the grand ballroom, all eyes didn’t turn to her—but his did.

As if some invisible thread tugged at him, his gaze lifted from the flute of champagne in his hand and settled across the room. And there she was.

Lina.

She was stunning, graceful, and detached. She looked different tonight—calmer, unbothered. Not the same woman who used to cling to his attention with soft eyes and quiet desperation. No. This version of Lina looked untouchable.

Christian’s jaw tensed. He hadn’t expected her to come. She hadn’t said anything, and frankly, she wasn’t invited.

But there she stood, dressed in sleek black, her expression unreadable as she floated through the crowd. His fingers tightened around the glass.

Stacey followed his gaze and immediately spotted her.

"Of course she came," she muttered under her breath, feigning a smile as she turned slightly, placing her hand protectively over her stomach. "Why is she always where she doesn’t belong?"

Christian didn’t respond. He wanted to go to Lina. To ask why she came. To pull her aside and talk. But Stacey was beside him, clinging with a practiced smile and a swollen belly that everyone was praising.

The cameras were flashing. The hosts were watching. It wasn’t the time.

So, he stayed.

The auction began, and Lina took her seat near the middle row. She crossed her legs elegantly and held her paddle with the casual grace of someone born to be in that room—even though everyone knew she wasn’t.

She raised her hand whenever something caught her eye. A sapphire bracelet, a sculpture from a rising artist, a limited edition designer handbag. The bids came steadily—and without hesitation.

Each time she lifted her hand, Christian flinched slightly.

Because she was using his card.

Of course she was. The black metal VIP card he’d given her long ago, back when she used to hesitate buying even a scarf unless she asked his permission.

Now, she waved it like a declaration. Every item she won wasn’t about possession—it was about taking back power. About reclaiming even a sliver of what the original Lina had lost.

If Christian was going to reduce her to a mistress, force her into hiding, abandon her after losing their child, and push her aside in favor of the woman who stole everything, then yes—she would get something out of it.

The trauma. The heartbreak. The years of silence and shame. All of it had a price. And tonight, she was collecting interest.

Stacey eventually noticed. Her smile stiffened with every paddle raise. "She’s bidding?" she asked, voice tight. "With your account?"

Lina was a kept woman. She had a job, yes—but it wasn’t the kind that could ever afford something that extravagant.

Christian didn’t answer. His eyes never left Lina. And when their gazes finally met across the room, she didn’t look away.

She tilted her head slightly and smiled—not warmly, but coolly. Like she already knew how the night would end.

And then it happened—Stacey suddenly raised her hand, pointing at a diamond-studded necklace being presented on stage. "I want that one," she cooed, loud enough for Christian to hear over the murmuring crowd.

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on fre ew𝒆bnovel.com