THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.

Cora sighed and didn't say a word. She waited, sensing there was more.

Malisa continued, her tone now more focused, "But something just came up, a formal invitation. It arrived not long after I left the hospital. I was going to decline it immediately, but... the scale of this invitation, the people behind it, the kind of gathering it is... It's something big, ma'am. Really big. And before I respond, I need your approval on whether to accept or decline or accept."

At that moment, as Cora raised her phone back to her ear, her brows were still furrowed. The tone in her voice was sharp yet laced with curiosity when she asked, "Malisa, is it really that important? You just left the hospital. Why would you call me so urgently like this?"

There was a brief pause on the line, but Melissa's voice quickly came through, almost breathless with excitement and urgency. "Yes, Miss Cora. It is extremely important. You have no idea."

Cora exhaled softly, trying to control her irritation. "Melissa, just go straight to the point."

Immediately Malisa did.

"It's Everything Luxury," she began. "They're the ones behind it. They're the ones who sent the invitation."

Hearing what Malisa just said, Cora blinked, confused. "Everything Luxury? As in the biggest luxury brand in the country?"

"Yes, that one exactly," Melissa confirmed without missing a beat. "They're launching something huge. A new line, an entirely new luxury clothing brand under their name, and they're opening it with a very private, very exclusive grand event. And… they're inviting only the most powerful women. Top ladies. Prominent women. Women that are respected in the society. We're talking about actresses, business moguls, fashion giants, royalty, and political elites."

Cora's eyes narrowed. "And what does that have to do with me?"

Malisa let out a nervous laugh. "Miss Cora… they sent you an invitation."

Cora's eyes widened slightly. "Me?"

"Yes. And not just any invitation. They sent you the Diamond Invitation."

At that moment Cora's lips parted slightly, stunned. She had heard of that type of invitation before, but only in whispers. The Diamond Invitation wasn't for just anyone. It was an honor so rare that people talked about it for months. It meant Everything Luxury had their eyes on her. And in their world, that was power.

Malisa continued, her voice trembling slightly with excitement, "It is the highest invitation. It is the highest invitation they have sent to anyone."

At that moment, Malisa's voice lowered slightly, as if the weight of what she was about to say demanded quiet. "Cora," she began with gentle urgency, "I know it's sudden. I know you're barely out of the hospital, and everything is still a blur. But please understand I was about to decline the invitation too. It felt inconsiderate, even selfish, to entertain the thought of fashion galas and diamond-studded envelopes while you were lying in that hospital bed."

However Cora stayed silent on the other end of the line, her hand gripping the phone tighter. Malisa sighed and continued.

"But then I remembered… 'Everything Luxury' isn't just another fancy brand. They're one of our key partners in the mega estate project you're about to unveil. They've poured in massive resources, and this brand launch they're using it to also mark their stake in that project. Cora, this isn't just fashion, it's business politics at the highest level."

Cora rubbed her forehead slowly, trying to piece things together while still emotionally exhausted. "So... how tied in are they? Like, how many percent are we talking about here?" she asked, her voice slow but direct.

Without skipping a beat, Malithia replied, "It's big, Cora. Very big. When it comes to the interiors, fittings, luxury furnishings everything that gives the estate its name, they're taking over 60% of the project's layout and design supply. That's more than half the look and feel of your mega estate coming directly from them. And this launch? It's not just about them showing off a new fashion line, it's about them sending a message, to the press, to competitors, and even to your investors."

Cora's breath hitched slightly. The pressure behind a diamond-invitation now made perfect sense.

Malisa added, "So you see, it would be wrong of us not to accept this invitation."

At that moment, Cora then say to Melissa with a firm yet composed voice, "Malisa, go ahead and accept the invitation. I'll be there personally. Since it's for tomorrow, I'll clear all my schedules today and make sure I attend." Her tone was resolute, and her eyes narrowed with purpose, clearly showing that she understood the importance of the event. She wasn't just attending as a guest, she was stepping in with full intention, bearing the weight of her name and position.

The moment those words left her mouth, Malisa's face lit up like a child receiving her favorite candy. Relief and joy flooded through her voice as she exclaimed, "Thank you so much!! I'll accept the invitation immediately!" She was visibly thrilled, not just because of the event, but because Cora had agreed to show up herself. It meant everything, because some of the clothes would definitely be her's.

Cora gave a soft nod before ending the call, her mind already racing through the adjustments she would need to make in her schedule. But just as the warmth of that moment began to settle, the story would then take a much darker turn.

**

Inside a warehouse. Water dripping steadily from the ceiling, creating a soft echo with each drop that fell to the cold cement floor. The atmosphere was damp and heavy. Tied to a wooden chair in the center of the room was James. His entire body was soaked as though he had just been pulled from a river, clothes clinging to him like a second skin. His hair was drenched and messy, dripping with each movement. His lips were trembling, not from cold, but from a mixture of fear and confusion.

Right in front of him, standing like a predator who had just cornered his prey, was none other than William. He looked sharp, composed, but there was a terrifying rage burning behind his eyes. His arms were crossed, his suit barely wrinkled, a stark contrast to the disheveled mess in front of him.

At that moment William's lips parted slowly. "You know, James," he began in a low, menacing tone, "you just made a terrible mistake."

James looked up, eyes wide and desperate, but before he could speak, William continued.

"I told you. I warned you. I said you should never even think about double-crossing me. But what did you do?" William stepped closer, the sound of his shoes tapping on the wet floor filled the space like thunder. "You went ahead and did exactly what I warned you not to do."