Chapter 5
The Trap Turned Inside Out
The ballroom drowned in whispers.
Guests exchanged shocked glances while the scattered financial documents lay across the presentation table like evidence at a trial.
Fraud.
Embezzlement.
Forgery.
Every accusation pointed directly toward Seraphina Vale.
Exactly as planned.
The employee holding the papers looked pale. “These documents were approved under Lady Seraphina’s personal seal…”
Murmurs spread faster through the crowd.
“How disgraceful…”
“I never expected this from her.”
“The Vale family will be ruined.”
Evelyn lowered her gaze, pretending horror while secretly enjoying every second.
This was how it began in the previous life.
The first crack.
The first public humiliation.
Soon society would destroy Seraphina piece by piece.
Adrian stepped forward immediately, expression tense with concern.
“Seraphina,” he said quietly, “there must be some misunderstanding.”
Such perfect acting.
Even now, he wanted to appear like the supportive fiancé.
Seraphina almost admired the effort.
Almost.
The ballroom waited for her reaction.
Panic.
Fear.
Tears.
That was what everyone expected from the gentle Lady Seraphina.
Instead—
she laughed softly.
The sound instantly silenced the room.
Not loud.
Not hysterical.
Just amused.
Evelyn’s smile nearly cracked.
Seraphina slowly stepped toward the table, black silk brushing elegantly against the marble floor. Every movement remained calm despite the tension surrounding her.
Then she picked up one of the documents.
Her expression didn’t change.
Interesting.
The forged signatures were identical to the previous timeline.
Even the numbers matched perfectly.
Evelyn truly lacked creativity.
“How strange,” Seraphina murmured softly.
Adrian frowned. “Seraphina—”
She lifted one hand gently, silencing him instantly.
And somehow—
he obeyed.
Seraphina turned another page slowly before looking toward the trembling employee.
“Who delivered these documents?”
The employee swallowed nervously. “T-They were delivered anonymously this evening.”
Anonymous.
Of course.
Seraphina smiled faintly.
“In that case,” she said calmly, “perhaps we should verify whether these papers are authentic before publicly embarrassing ourselves.”
The room shifted uneasily.
Because she wasn’t reacting like someone cornered.
She sounded confident.
Evelyn’s heartbeat quickened slightly.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Seraphina placed the documents back onto the table before speaking again.
“After all,” she continued lightly, “forged seals are surprisingly common these days.”
Silence.
Then—
Evelyn felt her stomach drop.
No.
Impossible.
Seraphina couldn’t know that.
Could she?
Adrian’s eyes narrowed carefully. “Are you suggesting someone framed you?”
Seraphina tilted her head slightly.
“Aren’t you intelligent enough to reach that conclusion yourself?”
A few nearby guests visibly stiffened.
Did she just insult Adrian Cross publicly?
Lucien, watching from the balcony above, nearly smiled into his wine glass.
Interesting.
She wasn’t merely defending herself.
She was controlling the room.
Below, Seraphina continued calmly.
“In fact…” Her fingers brushed lightly against the documents. “There’s actually a very simple way to prove whether these are fake.”
Evelyn’s pulse spiked violently.
No.
No, this wasn’t how things happened before.
The crowd leaned closer instinctively.
Seraphina looked toward the head accountant standing near the stage.
“Tell me,” she said gently, “when were these reports supposedly submitted?”
The accountant adjusted his glasses nervously. “Three days ago, Lady Seraphina.”
“Three days ago,” she repeated softly.
Then she smiled.
And suddenly Evelyn understood.
Too late.
“Interesting,” Seraphina said calmly. “Because three days ago, I was in the northern estate with twenty staff members and security personnel.”
The ballroom froze.
“I never visited the company offices,” she continued smoothly. “Meaning these documents could not have been submitted personally by me.”
Whispers erupted immediately.
“She has witnesses?”
“Then the papers really are fake—”
“Who would dare forge the Vale seal?”
Evelyn’s nails dug sharply into her palms beneath the tablecloth.
Panic slowly crept up her spine.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
In the previous life, Seraphina had been too emotional to defend herself properly.
But tonight—
she looked terrifyingly prepared.
Adrian stared at Seraphina carefully.
For the first time, genuine uncertainty appeared in his eyes.
Because something about her felt completely unfamiliar now.
Cold.
Sharp.
Untouchable.
As the whispers intensified around the ballroom, Seraphina slowly lifted her champagne glass.
Elegant.
Composed.
Dangerous.
Then her gaze shifted briefly toward Evelyn.
And smiled.
Not warmly.
Not kindly.
But knowingly.
The color drained from Evelyn’s face instantly.
Because for one horrifying moment—
it felt like Seraphina already knew everything.
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