The luxury mall's marble floors shone under bright chandeliers, reflecting walls lined with designer boutiques. Expensive perfume floated in the air, and every customer who walked inside wore confidence like a crown.
Aria walked beside Amanda, humming lightly, hands folded behind her back as if she had been shopping in high-class malls her whole life.
"Miss Aria, this mall is very… exclusive," Amanda whispered. "Most people can't even enter without a million-dollar membership."
"That's fine," Aria said simply. "My brother gave me a black card. It should work anywhere."
Amanda laughed softly. "It will work everywhere."
They were browsing through a luxury jewelry store when a sharp, familiar voice cut across the room.
"Well, well… look who managed to crawl in here."
Aria didn't even turn around at first.
Ryana.
Standing in a tight designer dress, chin lifted high, her eyes sparkling with arrogance. Two of her bodyguards stood behind her.
Ryana folded her arms, voice dripping with disdain."Tell me—how did you enter this mall? People like you don't even have the money to step inside."
Amanda stiffened. Aria lifted her head slowly, her expression calm but her eyes dangerously sharp.
"I scanned the card and walked in," Aria said casually. "It wasn't that hard."
Ryana scoffed loudly."It seems you haven't learned your lesson from yesterday. You think you're important?"
Aria smiled—sweet but deadly.
Ryana clicked her tongue."Fine. Since you're shopping here with such confidence… let me teach you a little something."
She leaned closer, smirking."Whatever you buy, I will buy it at a higher price. I'll show you what REAL money looks like."
Amanda gasped softly."Miss Aria, she's challenging you—"
Aria raised a hand gently."Challenge accepted."
She walked to the shelves and began picking the MOST expensive items—a diamond necklace,a limited-edition handbag,luxury perfumes,a platinum bracelet.
Ryana's smug grin widened."Yes, yes, go on. I'll buy them all."
Aria placed everything on the counter. The total displayed on the screen made the employees tremble.
Ryana stepped forward and said proudly,"I'll take it all."
The staff bowed immediately. "Yes, Miss Ryana."
Ryana swiped the card.
Aria waited… and then noticed something.
The card.
The familiar black card.
The Titan Corporation symbol.
Her brother's card.
Her eyes sharpened instantly.
"Oh?" Aria said sweetly. "So you're paying with Elias' card."
Ryana froze for a split second but quickly recovered, smiling arrogantly."So what? He always lets me use it."
Aria's smile faded into something colder.
"So THAT'S why you weren't nervous at all. Of course you weren't—because you weren't spending your money."
Amanda looked horrified. "Miss Ryana! This is—this is illegal! That's the CEO's personal—"
Ryana raised a hand."Shut up. I can use his money whenever I want. I'm his future wife."
Aria clenched her jaw.
This wasn't the right moment to reveal everything she knew. She needed to play smarter.
In a calm voice, she said,"Alright. Enjoy your shopping."
She turned to leave.
But Ryana wasn't done.
"HOLD IT!"
Aria stopped.
"You think you can walk away after making me look like a fool?" Ryana snapped. Her voice echoed through the entire boutique.
She snapped her fingers.
Her bodyguards stepped forward, blocking Aria's path.
Amanda panicked and said:"Aria! Call your brother! He'll come—"
Aria shook her head.
"No. Don't trouble him for something this small."
She stepped forward, eyes burning with quiet fury.
The bodyguards moved at her.
Amanda covered her mouth in fear.
And then—
THWACK!
Aria's foot struck one guard's knee, making him collapse.
CRACK!
She twisted the other guard's wrist, flipping him onto the floor effortlessly.
In seconds, both of them were groaning.
Ryana stumbled back, shocked beyond belief.
"You—you—how dare you?!" she shrieked.
Aria walked toward her slowly, like a predator approaching prey.
Then—
SNAP.
Aria grabbed Ryana's arm and twisted it sharply—not enough to permanently injure her, but enough to send pain shooting through her entire body.
Ryana screamed, falling to her knees.
"AAAH! LET GO! LET GO!"
Aria leaned down, her voice low and ice-cold.
"Don't mess with someone you don't understand."
Ryana's breath shook."You—you monster—"
Aria released her, brushing imaginary dust off her own hands.
She looked down at Ryana with a calm, deadly gaze.
"You think you can threaten me? Kidnap me with bodyguards? Block my path? You don't even know who you're dealing with."
Ryana trembled, clutching her hurt arm.
Aria turned to Amanda."We're leaving."
Amanda nodded quickly, still shaking.
Employees, customers, and even security guards stared in horror as Aria walked out—calm, confident, untouchable.
Behind her, Ryana glared with pure hatred.
"This isn't over!" she screamed."I'll destroy you! Elias will never believe you! I'm his—"
Aria didn't even look back.
She whispered softly,"We'll see."
The mall doors opened, sunlight washing over her.
The battle had only begun.
And Aria was ready for all of it.