Author's note: this is from Magda's point of view

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​​

I spaced out only for a second, but John was already next to Seraphina, kissing the back of her palm and looking at her with a charming smile that told me how dangerous she is.

Damn it!

I schooled my features and decided to introduce myself.

As I approached John and Seraphina, I heard her ask, "Your father is not here?"

"Don't worry. I told you, he will not come.", John assured her.

I thought that I just heard something important. It seems that my father doesn't approve of Seraphina.

Seraphina's gaze moved to me. "And this must be the birthday girl. Miss Thompson, I apologize for coming late."

Does she think that the phony smile can fool me?

I'm surrounded by those kinds of people, full of themselves, who wish to be me.

I will show John how fake this heiress is.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Why am I out of breath? What is going on?

Panic swelled inside me. Am I going to die?

"Oh, dear. Are you OK?", Seraphina asked.

I inhaled forcibly and it took me a few breaths to regain my ability to speak.

"I'm fine.", I responded. Did I just make a fool of myself? I wanted to say something, but I forgot what it was. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Magda!", John hissed, and Seraphina touched his elbow.

"It's OK, John."

I couldn't believe that he relaxed immediately. This woman is more dangerous than I thought.

"Miss Thompson's reaction is understandable.", Seraphina said and turned to me. "My schedule opened unexpectedly, and I decided to accept John's invitation. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to prepare an appropriate present. I will make sure to send you something as an apology."

"It's fine.", John said immediately. "Magda doesn't need more presents."

"Oh, I insist.", Seraphina responded while observing my face intently. "I was thinking of sending the latest products of Notte Pharmaceuticals. Our night cream does wonders for those fine lines around eyes."

Subconsciously I reached to touch my face. Did she say I have wrinkles?

Seraphina glanced next to me. "And you are?"

"Kimberly Dixon."

Just as Kim said her name, a male voice was heard from the side, "Serina!"

A man slid over the marble floor, sideways, like a child pretending to ice skate, and he stopped right in front of Seraphina.

Henry Blackwater. If his father is not a big-shot director at Notte Pharmaceuticals, Henry would not qualify to be here. After all, all my guests need to satisfy certain social standing.

"Henry…", Serina called. "I didn't know you will be here."

Henry narrowed his eyes at Seraphina. "If you responded to any of my calls, you would know what I'm up to."

Is there some animosity between them?

Henry broke into a grin. "It's good to see you, Serina."

Henry took Serina's hand in his and kissed the back of her palm.

First my brother, and now Henry. Why are they kissing her hand like she is some kind of a princess? What happened with handshakes?

I thought that Henry will wish me a happy birthday, but I was completely ignored.

Seraphina smiled amicably and I craved to wipe that smile off her face.

"It's good to see you too, Henry. I didn't know you grew a beard."

"Does it make me handsomer?", Henry asked Serina and struck a pose, resembling a peacock.

"I would say, older."

"Ouch!", Henry exclaimed in an exaggerated way while clutching his chest.

Serina covered her mouth with her annoyingly elegant fingers while stifling a laugh. "That's not a bad thing. You used to look like a teenager. Now you give off a more mature look."

Henry beamed at Serina's words.

"Are you going to introduce us?"

My head snapped toward the voice, and I saw David and Kyle standing next to Henry and eagerly looking at Seraphina.

Henry, David, and Kyle are good friends and it seems that the newcomers want to meet Seraphina.

"Only if you behave. This beautiful young woman is a lady, so you need to treat her as such.", Henry said and stepped to the side to make space, pushing me further away.

Hey, I'm standing here!

He didn't even apologize!

And even David and Kyle kissed her hand!

I watched Seraphina engaging in meaningless small talk while my brother stood next to her with a silly smile on his face like some kind of a servant who is waiting for an order from his master.

I hate her. I hate everything about her!

"Let's not stand here.", John said and gestured toward the door on the right. "The party is ongoing; we can take a seat and grab some drinks."

Yes! The party! My party!

Seraphina walked into the lounge area with John by her side, and Henry, David, and Kyle were behind them, like lackeys.

Seraphina's steps halted and her eyes swept over the crowd. She paused and a bright smile bloomed on her face, dazzling everyone, me included.

"If you excuse me… I need to greet someone.", Seraphina said and made her way toward the bar.

Her steps were even and steady and I wondered if she was walking or gliding.

It was like a scene from a movie when a heroine shows up after a big makeover.

The chatter stopped as Seraphina passed next to people, all eyes were fixed on her like she is some kind of a celebrity. My brother and three lackeys followed a few steps behind her, bewitched by her charms.

This was supposed to be me!

This is my party and I look like a million bucks and… she is in my role.

Seraphina Mezzanotte stole my party!

My heart stopped beating when I realized where she is going.

There were many people at the bar, but I definitely saw Sebastian and Drago, both of them looking at Seraphina and smiling. Are the two of them the ones Seraphina said that she needs to greet?

I remembered that Sebastian knows Seraphina. I even heard that he danced with her at the latest event hosted by the Giantshade Industries.

But more concerning thing was that Drago and Seraphina have some kind of a relationship. They donated together to some crappy charity, she visited him at work, and they had lunch together!

I was seeing everything in slow motion as the sounds around me faded… Sebastian stood up and kissed Seraphina's hand… Seraphina was next to Drago and his arm slithered around her waist… Drago stood up and Seraphina sat on his barstool with Drago standing so that he shields her from the crowd with his broad back that I oh-so-wished to touch.

John, Henry, David, and Kyle joined them, and they all made a circle around Seraphina like she is the main character of this party.

I glanced around and saw that most of the people were looking toward the bar while talking in whispers. I caught a few gazes full of pity directed at me.

My blood boiled. How dares she!?

Seraphina took the spotlight, my brother, and now she wants to take Drago as well!?

"Happy birthday, Magda!", one ignorant woman said when she approached me.

"Thanks.", I squeezed through my teeth and went out in the lobby before I need to face more people.

I bit my lower lip while thinking about how to deal with this. "Kim!"

"Yes?", a timid response came from behind me.

"I want her out of here."

"Don't do anything stupid." It was Anna.

Anna and I did many things together, good and bad, and I'm confident that she will not betray me. I know too much.

"What do you mean?", I asked Anna.

Anna rolled her eyes at me. "Seraphina is at the center of attention. What can you do and not have people call you mean? Will you wait for her in the bathroom? Or spill wine on her dress? I'm not saying that you need to endure this, but you need to be smart and not turn her into a victim. Drago is finally here, do you want to chase him away? Or would you prefer that John punishes you?"

She was right, but what can I do?

An invisible lightbulb went on above my head and I got my phone. "Hi, daddy… Yes, the party is amazing. I'm calling to let you know that someone is here…"

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