Chapter 1 – The Perfect Betrayal

The grand ballroom of the Hart Grand Hotel sparkled beneath crystal chandeliers. Soft violin music drifted through the air as politicians, business tycoons, celebrities, and wealthy investors mingled together.

Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of Amelia Hart's life.

Dressed in an elegant silver gown, Amelia stood beside her fiancé, Daniel Cross, with a gentle smile on her face. In just one month, they would become husband and wife.

At least, that was what she believed.

Across the ballroom stood her identical twin sister, Aurora Hart.

The two sisters shared the same face, but that was where the similarities ended.

Amelia was kind, honest, and always put others before herself.

Aurora hid a heart full of jealousy behind a sweet smile.

As Aurora watched Amelia laughing with the guests, her fingers tightened around a champagne glass.

"Everything should have been mine..." she thought.

Their father, Richard Hart, stepped onto the stage with a microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending tonight's celebration. As many of you know, Hart Corporation has reached another historic milestone."

The crowd applauded.

Richard smiled proudly.

"I also have another announcement."

He looked lovingly at Amelia.

"My eldest daughter, Amelia Hart, will inherit Hart Corporation after my retirement."

Thunderous applause filled the ballroom.

Amelia's eyes widened.

"Dad..."

She hadn't expected this announcement tonight.

Richard continued, "I believe Amelia has the wisdom, kindness, and determination to lead our company into the future."

Aurora's smile disappeared.

Her nails dug into her palm until they nearly drew blood.

"Again..."

"It's always Amelia."

"The company... the inheritance... Father's praise... Daniel..."

"She has everything."

Aurora lowered her head, hiding the hatred burning inside her eyes.

---

Later that evening...

The engagement celebration continued.

Daniel excused himself.

"I'll be back in a minute."

Amelia smiled.

"Don't take too long."

"I won't."

As Daniel disappeared into a hallway, Aurora quietly followed him.

Several minutes later...

Daniel frowned when he heard footsteps.

"Aurora?"

She leaned against the wall with a playful smile.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

She slowly stepped closer.

"So..."

"You're really going to marry Amelia?"

Daniel laughed awkwardly.

"Of course."

Aurora reached out and straightened his tie.

"But..."

"What if you chose the wrong sister?"

Daniel froze.

"What?"

Aurora smiled sweetly.

"You've always looked at Amelia."

"But have you ever looked at me?"

Daniel took a step backward.

"Aurora, don't joke like that."

She leaned close enough for him to smell her expensive perfume.

"I'm not joking."

Before Daniel could react...

Aurora wrapped her arms around his neck.

At that exact moment—

Click!

A camera flashed.

Hidden photographers captured everything.

Aurora immediately stepped back and covered her face.

"No..."

She forced tears into her eyes.

"Daniel..."

"What are you doing?"

Daniel stared at her in confusion.

"What?"

"I didn't—"

Before he could explain—

Slap!

Aurora slapped herself hard across the face.

Her cheek instantly turned red.

She collapsed onto the floor, sobbing.

"Please stop..."

"I don't want to betray my sister..."

Daniel's face turned pale.

"What are you talking about?"

Footsteps echoed through the hallway.

Amelia.

Richard.

Victoria.

Several relatives.

Business partners.

Everyone arrived after receiving an anonymous message telling them to come immediately.

The moment Amelia turned the corner...

She froze.

Aurora was crying on the floor.

Daniel stood in front of her.

Photographers were taking endless pictures.

Richard's expression darkened.

"What is happening here?"

Aurora looked up through fake tears.

"I'm sorry..."

"I tried to push him away..."

"I told him Amelia loves him..."

"But..."

She burst into louder sobs.

"He kissed me..."

Silence.

Daniel's eyes widened.

"What?!"

"That's a lie!"

Aurora continued crying.

"I didn't want Amelia to know..."

"I wanted to protect everyone's happiness..."

Victoria hurried to Aurora.

"My poor daughter..."

Richard glared at Daniel.

"You dare touch my daughter?"

Daniel looked horrified.

"Mr. Hart, she's lying!"

"I never kissed her!"

Amelia stood completely still.

Her mind refused to process what she was seeing.

She looked at Daniel.

Then Aurora.

Then the cameras.

Her heart pounded painfully inside her chest.

Daniel hurried toward her.

"Amelia, listen to me."

"I swear I didn't do anything."

Before Amelia could answer...

Aurora whispered softly—

Only loud enough for Amelia to hear.

"This is only the beginning."

Amelia slowly turned toward her sister.

Aurora smiled.

It lasted less than a second.

Then the innocent expression returned.

Amelia suddenly felt a chill run through her entire body.

For the first time in her life...

She realized...

The person standing before her wasn't her loving twin sister anymore.

She was her greatest enemy.

Far away, inside a black luxury limousine parked across the street, a pair of cold gray eyes watched the Hart Hotel through the tinted window.

A man dressed in an immaculate black suit calmly closed a file containing Hart Corporation's financial records.

His voice was deep and emotionless.

"So..."

"The Hart family has finally begun tearing itself apart."

The driver lowered his head respectfully.

"Yes, Boss."

The man looked once more toward the brightly lit hotel before speaking one final sentence.

"Keep watching."

"We may soon have a reason to pay the Hart family a visit."

No one inside the ballroom knew it yet.

But the most feared man in the criminal underworld had just set his eyes on the family whose world was about to collapse.