The Villains Must Win-Chapter 214: No Second Chances 14

Lina didn’t leave after the auction. Not right away. She strolled through the ballroom as if she belonged there—heels clicking softly against the marble floor, the echo a quiet announcement of her presence.

People turned to look. Some smiled politely. Some whispered. A few men gave her lingering glances. She returned none of them.

She sipped her champagne, letting the sweet bitterness wash over her tongue. She didn’t even like champagne. But it looked elegant in her hand and gave her a reason not to speak to anyone unless she wanted to.

She passed the auction table, where her necklace was being carefully secured for delivery. The staff bowed their heads slightly as she approached, recognizing her now not just as a guest—but as the top bidder, the one who had shaken the entire room.

Outside on the balcony, she caught sight of Christian and Stacey. Stacey was clearly upset, waving her arms as she hissed something at Christian. He looked like he was trying to explain, calm her down, but she kept shaking her head and pushing him away.

Lina paused, hidden slightly behind one of the grand pillars. She wasn’t there to eavesdrop—but watching them made something in her chest settle.

That was the real Christian. Not the sweet, charming man who once whispered promises under the covers, but this confused, guilt-ridden man who couldn’t make a choice without hurting someone.

She turned away and reentered the ballroom, no longer interested in watching their drama.

If he really wanted her, he would have made that clear a long time ago. Instead, he tried to keep both women like delicate ornaments on a shelf.

But Lina was done being delicate.

From tonight on, she would write her own story. And this Chapter? This was only the beginning.

As the music swelled in the background and guests mingled around her, Lina stood tall, her chin slightly raised, the glint of triumph still in her eyes.

Let them whisper. Let them wonder. She wasn’t here to fit in anymore—she was here to take back everything she had lost. And more.

====

Lina didn’t return to the apartment. Instead, she booked a quiet room in a boutique hotel tucked in the city’s arts district.

She knew Christian too well. The moment he realized what she had done at the gala, he’d storm back to the apartment in a fury—and she had no intention of being there when he did.

And just as she predicted, her phone lit up with call after call. Christian. Again and again.

She ignored him at first, calmly sipping tea in the hotel lounge, flipping through a magazine as if the world outside wasn’t spiraling into chaos.

But by the sixth call, she answered.

"What the hell was that all about?!" Christian’s voice was sharp, the tension crackling through the line.

Lina kept her tone light, feigning innocence. "What are you talking about, Christian? It was just an auction. Anyone can attend as long as they have the money."

"You don’t have that kind of money, Lina," he snapped. "I do."

"Exactly," she replied coolly. "Which I used. After all, aren’t I your girlfriend? Your love? Or maybe just your mistress?"

There was silence on the other end.

She leaned back on the plush hotel chair, letting the silence stretch before she continued, voice dipping lower. "I think it’s only fair I get something out of this while you parade Stacey around town. Don’t you think?"

Christian exhaled deeply. "I don’t care about the money. You know that. I gave you that card so you could spend it however you want. But showing up at public events—where I’m seen with her—without warning? That’s dangerous. You could expose us."

"And what exactly would be so wrong with that?" Lina asked, her tone now edged with quiet fury.

"I told you," he replied, his voice strained, "I just need time. This business deal with Stacey’s family—it’s complicated. I need you to wait for me. Just a little longer."

Lina’s heart squeezed, not from longing, but from exhaustion. "Christian . . . I’ve been waiting. More than five years, I’ve waited for you to choose me. That’s long enough."

"What are you saying?" he asked, panic starting to creep into his voice.

She didn’t answer right away.

Then, before she could say more, she heard a familiar voice faintly in the background.

Stacey.

Her voice floated through the speaker, casual and sweet. Lina felt her jaw tighten.

"I assume you’re not alone, then," she said flatly.

Christian went silent. Then, fumbling for words, he replied, "She’s just here because she spilled wine on her dress. She came over to change."

Probably not by accident, Lina thought bitterly.

"Anyway," Christian continued, "I’m driving her home now. I’ll call you again later so we can talk properly, okay? Just message me where you are."

He ended the call before she could reply.

Lina stared at her phone, expression unreadable. She didn’t message him. She didn’t return the next call either.

Instead, she got up, took a warm shower, changed into fresh clothes, and went to sleep.

And just as she expected—he didn’t call again that night. No messages either.

She imagined him at Stacey’s side, taking care of her, maybe even laughing with her. Lina was nothing more than an afterthought now.

But not for long.

She was simply waiting for the last of her documents—her passport and papers—to be finalized. Once they were ready, she’d be gone. England would be her escape, and a new life awaited her there.

Late the next afternoon, her phone buzzed again. She glanced at it. Christian.

She let it ring. It went to voicemail.

He left a message.

"Lina, answer your goddamn phone. Look, I know I said I’d come to get you, but something happened. Stacey . . . she wasn’t feeling well. I had to take her to the hospital. The doctor said she had too much to drink. Thank God nothing happened to the baby."

Lina’s breath caught in her chest.

Baby?

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢