Melissa set her wine glass down slowly.
"What exactly did she say?"
She knew about the meeting happening.
Ben stared at her.
The fact that she asked that question first irritated him was evident on his face
"Don't play games with me."
His voice was sharp.
"I don't understand". She said.
" You clearly gave her hints and now she knows"
Melissa's expression didn't change.
She leaned back against the couch, crossing one leg over the other.
"Ben, you're making assumptions."
His jaw tightened.
"Am I?"
"Yes."
He laughed bitterly.
" You didn't know what happened after the meeting."
For the first time, Melissa's fingers paused against the stem of her glass.
A small movement.
But Ben noticed.
His eyes narrowed.
"She's nothing."
"Really?"
Melissa sighed.
"Yea. You are imagining things."
Melissa sighed.
Ben took a step closer.
"You met her before."
Silence.
The room suddenly felt smaller.
Melissa stared at him for several seconds before picking up her wine again.
"Even if I did, what difference would it make?"
Ben froze.
"You did what?"
Melissa immediately regretted the words.
The realization flashed across her face.
Ben saw it.
And that was enough.
A cold smile spread across his lips.
"So it's true."
Melissa set the glass down.
Carefully.
"Fine."
She stood.
"I met her."
"When?"
"A year ago."
Ben's eyes darkened.
"Why?"
Melissa walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city lights.
For a moment she seemed lost in thought.
Then the memory returned.
One year earlier.
A private charity gala.
The ballroom glittered with wealth and influence.
Politicians.
Executives.
Investors.
Old-money families.
Melissa had attended as one of the most recognizable women in high society.
That night, she noticed a woman standing alone near the balcony.
Elegant.
Confident.
Watching everyone.
Not trying to impress anyone.
That alone made her stand out.
Valerie Sterling.
The name meant something to Melissa.
Her husband's first love
And everything about the woman bothered her.
So she approached.
"Enjoying the party?"
Valerie turned.
A calm smile appeared.
"I'm observing."
"Observing what?"
"The people who think they're untouchable."
Melissa laughed.
The answer annoyed her.
For the next twenty minutes they talked.
Business.
Power.
Influence.
And under the conversation was full of threats.
And by the end of the conversation, Melissa realized something unsettling.
She wasn't intimidated by status.
And she definitely wasn't someone who could be manipulated.
Before leaving, Melissa had smiled and said,
"A little advice."
Valerie raised an eyebrow.
Melissa stepped closer.
"Watch your steps. You don't know what's coming for you."
Valerie's expression remained calm.
"Is that a threat?"
"No."
Melissa's smile widened.
"It's a warning."
Valerie studied her for a moment.
Then smiled back.
"I appreciate warnings."
And with that, she walked away.
Leaving Melissa with the feeling of hatred.
Present day.
Ben listened carefully.
"That's it?"
Melissa nodded.
"That's it."
"I don't believe you."
"You don't have to."
Ben stared at her.
"If that's all that happened, then how does she knows we are planning?"
Melissa looked away.
Just for a second.
Ben noticed.
His voice dropped.
"She's like a devil".
Melissa remained silent.
Because it's true and she doesn't want to admit it.
Valerie Sterling wasn't someone you chose as an enemy.
She was the kind of woman who survived enemies.
And destroyed them.