One Night With A Mysterious Billionaire (The Heiress's Revenge)-Chapter 30: The Fundraiser

Evans watched the scene silently. A faint glint flashed through his eyes, something like doubt, but he quickly buried it deep within his heart.

When Ashley finally seemed calm, Mr. Smith spoke again, his tone measured and cold.

"Lena still hasn’t cut me off," he said. "That means she still sees me as her father. All I need to do is pretend, go to her, and apologize. The moment I gain her sympathy and forgiveness, she’ll lower her guard, and that’s when we strike."

Everyone nodded in agreement. It was seamless. Clean. The easiest way to deal with Lena without raising suspicion.

"We’ll carry out the plan at the fundraiser," Mr. Smith continued. "Mr. Black’s attention will be elsewhere. It’s the perfect setting, no traces leading back to us. I’ll get us in. That’s where we spike her drink."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the room.

"All we need now is to prepare the documents and find a thug, pay him properly this time. Make sure the room has a camera already. There will be no room for mistakes."

His voice turned icy.

"Everyone will be assigned a role," Mr. Smith concluded. "And you will play it perfectly."

"I won’t be able to go with you, but I’ll meet you at the fundraiser later," Raymond told Lena as he fastened the last cufflink on his left wrist.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black Armani suit paired with a tie in the campaign’s signature color. His hair was styled neatly backward, giving him a sharp, commanding look.

A gold wristwatch rested on his wrist, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses sat on his face. Raymond only wore glasses when he needed to read, though Lena always argued it was merely for aesthetics, considering he read just fine without them. No one could truly tell which was the truth.

Picking up his cane, Raymond walked out of the room, his polished Italian leather shoes clicking softly against the floor as he made his way outside.

Lena simply nodded, watching his retreating figure until he disappeared from sight. For the past few days, they had lived in rare harmony, no quarrels, no sharp words, no silent standoffs. Raymond, however, had been scarcely around, constantly busy with one engagement or another. Lena chose not to complain, deciding to give him the privacy he clearly needed. Still, she couldn’t help but think about how he had agreed to attend the fundraiser only because she asked. It was her first time attending such an elaborate event, and she hadn’t wanted to go alone.

Lena turned her attention to her reflection as the stylist put the finishing touches on her hair. Earlier, the makeup artist had worked her magic, and now the hairstylist was done as well. Raymond had insisted she dress properly for the occasion, going as far as ordering a gown and hiring professionals to assist her. Several dresses had been brought, but Lena eventually chose a champagne-colored tulle A-line gown.

The bodice and skirt were delicately adorned with ivory 3D floral appliqués that gave the dress a soft, ethereal elegance.

She paired the gown with rose-gold drop earrings, a thin minimalist rose-gold tennis bracelet, and a satin clutch purse in soft cream. Nude strappy stiletto heels completed the look, elongating her legs while keeping attention on the gown’s intricate details.

When everything was done, Lena stared at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back. She looked like someone else entirely, poised, refined, and breathtaking. Her hair was styled in an elegant updo, with soft curls cascading down to frame her face.

Her makeup was light and refreshing, enhancing her natural beauty rather than overwhelming it.

She thanked the stylist and makeup artist warmly. Both women smiled, showered her with compliments, and then packed their belongings before leaving.

Lena descended the staircase gracefully, already having called Sylvia to let her know she was ready. Sylvia had told her she was waiting. Lena’s company had received an invitation that included a plus one, which was why she had decided to attend with Sylvia. Raymond, on the other hand, had his own invitation. Initially, the plan was for both invitations to cover the two of them, but since Raymond wouldn’t be arriving with her, Lena decided to take Sylvia instead. Raymond could use his own invitation when he arrived, though she suspected he wouldn’t even need it.

She sighed quietly at the thought. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Sullivan honked as they arrived at Sylvia’s apartment. Sylvia didn’t waste a second before coming downstairs. She wore a ruby-colored off-shoulder satin gown, her hair styled in an updo strikingly similar to Lena’s. Minimal jewelry adorned her neck and ears, and a pair of red stilettos completed the look. In her hand was a small red clutch purse.

Lena nodded in approval the moment she saw her. Sylvia truly knew how to dress. Relieved that neither of them was underdressed, Lena smiled as Sylvia got into the car. They exchanged pleasantries and soon began chatting animatedly about everything, from office gossip to recent events, while the sleek black car sped toward the Starlight Hotel.

Upon arrival, Sullivan stepped out, fully dressed in his suit, and opened the door for the two women. As they stepped out, flashes immediately followed. Reporters swarmed closer, cameras clicking relentlessly. The women were striking, and the Rolls-Royce Phantom they arrived in only heightened the attention. To the reporters, they looked like figures of immense importance.

The clicking of cameras followed them until they disappeared into the venue.

Unaware of the attention and the eyes trailing her every move, Lena remained engrossed in conversation with Sylvia. She failed to notice the gaze filled with pure hatred fixed firmly on her from a distance.

Ashley stood frozen, her eyes burning with rage as she watched Lena step out of the luxury car. The sight of her emerging from the latest edition Rolls-Royce Phantom made her blood boil. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms until blood seeped out, yet she felt no pain.

Hatred consumed her completely. She wanted nothing more than to rush forward and push Lena to the ground. But she restrained herself. Tonight was too important. She couldn’t afford to ruin her carefully laid plans.

Lena had to meet her end tonight, no matter what.

An evil glint flashed in Ashley’s eyes as she imagined a future without Lena. A future where Evans belonged to her, where the company Lena had worked so hard for was in her grasp. She even pictured Mr. Black begging for her attention.

The thought sent her into a fit of laughter.

"Just you wait, Lena," she muttered coldly. "Soon, your reputation will be destroyed, and I will triumph.