LYONIC

"Well, well, look who decided to show up. If it isn't Aaron and his criminal son-in-law."

The mocking voice belonged to Harry as he strutted in, flanked by his family, each carrying expensive gifts. Wine, ginseng, tea-the usual offerings, wrapped in shallow intentions. They were here to play their games, to butter up the "God of War."

I stood, my gaze fixed on the entrance as I clenched my fists to my sides. The last thing I needed was another round of insults from these people.

"I didn't expect you to be here, Zoey," Melanie's voice was like venom as she moved with slow, deliberate steps to close the gap. "Where's your invitation? Should I check for a counterfeit? They're so easy to come by these days."

Her words cut deeper than I wanted them to. What did they think-that we didn't belong here, that Levi's presence didn't give us the privilege of walking through those gates?

The rest of the Lopez family sneered down their noses at Levi and me. It didn't matter that Levi had managed to get us here. To them, we were outsiders, undeserving of anything this night could offer.

I looked at Levi, and my heart quivered with doubt. The pressure was rising in my chest, but I wouldn't back down. Not this time.

"Show us the invitation, Aaron," Harry thundered.

Aaron looked caught off guard, his eyes darting toward me, his anxiety evident.

"What? You won't even follow your father's orders?" Harry's voice cracked with anger. "Show it to me, now!"

Time stood still as Aaron hesitated. The struggle was in his eyes until he finally spoke, almost in a whisper, "Dad. we don't have an invitation. It was Levi who brought us here."

Then came the laughter, merciless, just echoing in the air while the Lopez family enjoyed the humiliation.

"You've got to be kidding me," Harry muttered, staring Aaron straight in the eyes. "What a travesty."

I could feel their stinging ridicule. My face flushed hot with humiliation, my fists clenched at my sides. Impossible!

"How shameless to think you can go there without being invited!" Samuel added, as if he was shaking off the two insignificant pests that were standing before him.

"Let's go inside, Grandpa," Melanie said, linking her arm with Harry's. "Don't let these people ruin the night."

The words felt like a stab in my heart, and I bit back the bitterness. They truly thought they were better than us. So wrong.

Just as they would have reached the gates, Levi leaned in, that urchin grin spreading across his face. "Dad, look-they can't get in."

My gaze followed his to the security checkpoint. The area was teeming with guards, each one sharp and alert. Forward came Samuel, so confident, holding up twelve invitation cards with a smug look on his face.

"For twelve, please," he said, puffing out his chest, expecting admiration for his connections.

But the security guard, emotionless, barely glanced at the cards. "You're restricted from entering. You're banned from attending this banquet."

The shock in Samuel's face was priceless, and it only grew as he tried to argue, "This is impossible! Riley, the secretary from the office building, gave these to us in person!"

The security guard didn't flinch, his expression hardening as he raised his truncheon, resting it lightly on Samuel's head.

"You do not speak human, I presume? You're out of bounds. You leave immediately, or I'll paint the picture a little clearer."

The air thickened as tension wrapped around them. Samuel's eyes went wide with terror as the guard's hand hovered above his head and in the next second came down with a thick crack.

All Samuel could do was retreat, mortified as his trousers darkened with the silent amusement of those watching in a dead silence. His startled and fearful surprise got quickness to his feet; mumbling apologies, hastened footsteps retreated.

Levi remained next to me, smug. "I told you they wouldn't make it past."

Aaron still seemed in semi-shock at what he just now saw. He shook his head. "How did you.uh do that, Levi?

I turned to him, my skepticism returning. "Didn't you say you had connections?"

Levi met my gaze, the amusement flickering in his eyes. "You're right. I have friends."

As we approached the security checkpoint, the four of us stopped, my breath catching in my throat. Could we really get through? How could Levi possibly make this happen when people like Samuel couldn't?

"Stop!" Melanie's voice cut through, dripping with poison. "They are Lopezes, but my grandfather threw them off the property years ago. They no longer deserve a place here."

These words hit me like a slap on my face, and I sat erect, my heart galloping inside my chest.

"Gentlemen, please," Harry chimed in, imploringly. "They're nothing to do with us. You mustn't listen to them!"

I closed my eyes, preparing for the worst; how would we ever get through them? Would I really let my family sink that low?

But then something totally out of the blue happened as we reached the gates.

"Welcome, Mr. Garrison, and family!" A security guard greeted us in his warm tone and saluted. "You are our most distinguished guests. Invitations are not required."

I blinked, and my senses were overwhelmed by shock and confusion. What? How could this be?

I opened my eyes, my gaze darting toward Levi. Smiling genuinely, his warm hand wrapped around mine as we stepped into Paradise Villa, the surreal sense of triumph washing over me like a wave. My family was in a daze, even as they passed through the now-gracious gates.

The López family, fresh from their defeat in public, stood dumbfounded at the entrance, faces so full of unbelief and envy.

"They. they really did get in?" Samuel stuttered, his gaze following as we strode past them, with every step an act of triumph.

Levi leaned into me, his voice almost at a whisper. "Easy, wasn't it?"

I let a proper smile arc on my face for the first time in quite some time.

"Yeah, I'm starting to see what you mean."

As we entered the villa, that earlier tension seemed to fall behind us. My parents still looked shell-shocked, casting each other confused glances.

"How'd you pull that off?" Aaron asked in barely a whisper.

"I've got connections," Levi replied with a wink.

I looked at him again, my suspicion still hanging in the air. Was he telling the truth, or was this more than he was revealing?

But for now, I was just grateful. A momentary triumph it was, but mine it was.

The voice from behind my back made my skin crawl before I could utter anything.

"Zoey? Is that really you?" A familiar voice cut through the air.

I froze. Turning around, I saw four figures approaching, their polished tuxedos gleaming in the light.

The man leading the group was Derrick Johns-the one who'd nearly destroyed everything I worked for. The one who had wanted more than I was willing to give, and to punish me when I refused. He was now standing in front of me, eyes gleaming with arrogance.

"Why can't I be here?" I replied icily, though my heart was racing in my chest.

Derrick's eyes darted from me to Levi, resting a moment too long. "Is this your criminal husband? Did he bring you in?" There was a mocking tone in Derrick's voice, but I could tell the hunger in his gaze as he bent down, closer and closer, a predatory grin spreading across his face.

I stepped back, my voice low, an unmistakable warning. "What do you want, Derrick?"

He laughed, the sound dry and pleased with himself. "As long as you keep me company, I'll forget about your little husband. If not. well, I can always arrange a little reunion with your husband in prison."

At his words, my blood ran cold. He could do it. He knew it, I knew it.

"What do you want?" I repeated, my voice steel.

"Promise to keep me entertained, Zoey, and I won't bother him," he said, the malice in his voice clear.