BRUSHSTROKES OF REVENGE

The moment Mindy stepped out of the backstage corridor, she didn’t stop to look back. The noise, the tension, the chaos she had left behind—all of it faded into a dull hum as she walked straight toward the balcony overlooking Greendale’s glittering skyline.

The night air was cool and sharp, carrying the faint scent of rain and city lights.

When she reached the railing, she placed both hands on the cold metal and leaned forward slightly, letting the breeze brush across her face. It was the first breath of peace she had taken in hours.

The storm inside her—the fury that had erupted when Missy insulted Matthias, the disgust that had burned through her when Emily had dared to call Wade a stray—finally began to settle.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, the air filling her lungs until her chest ached. For the first time since twisting Missy’s wrist, her heartbeat began to steady.

The adrenaline that had carried her through the confrontation drained away, leaving behind a strange calm.

The city stretched before her like a sea of diamonds, each light a reminder that life went on, indifferent to the chaos of human pride and pain.

Footsteps approached behind her, soft but unmistakable.

”Mindy?”

Ana’s cheerful voice broke the silence.

Mindy turned to see Ana, Wade, Layla, and Matthias walking toward her. Ana’s expression was a mix of curiosity and concern, while Layla looked as though she had sprinted the entire way.

Wade’s hands were tucked into his pockets, his usual calm masking the faint amusement in his eyes. Matthias followed a few steps behind, his tall frame outlined by the soft glow of the corridor lights, his silver mask catching the faintest reflection of the city beyond.

Ana frowned as she reached her. ”What happened?”

Before Mindy could answer, Wade spoke casually, as if commenting on the weather.

”She twisted Missy’s wrist.”

Layla froze mid-step. ”She What?”

Ana blinked. ”What?”

Wade nodded, his tone maddeningly calm. ”She actually did.”

Matthias stood quietly beside them, saying nothing, his eyes never leaving Mindy.

Ana’s mouth fell open. Then, suddenly, she burst into laughter.

”I missed it?” She threw her hands dramatically over her head.

”No! No, no, no! I can’t believe I missed it!”

Layla immediately pointed an accusing finger at her.

”This is your fault! You wanted pastries! You dragged me to the dessert counter! We missed the entire thing because of you!”

Ana gasped in mock offense. ”How was I supposed to know Missy would get herself beaten while I was gone?”

Layla folded her arms, her expression deadly serious. ”Mindy,” she said, turning to her, ”you’ll have to do it again.”

Wade couldn’t stop himself. He laughed, the sound low and genuine. Mindy looked at them, their ridiculous argument dissolving the last of her tension, and she laughed too.

”What?” she asked, shaking her head.

Ana marched right up to her and grabbed her shoulders lightly.

”You really twisted her wrist?”

Mindy nodded without hesitation. ”Yes.”

Ana stared at her, stunned. ”Why?”

Mindy’s answer came without pause. ”She insulted Matthias.”

The laughter died instantly. Silence fell over the group. Matthias looked at her quietly, his usually unreadable eyes softening. For a moment, he forgot the noise of the Pavilion, the people, the lights—everything.

All he saw was her.

The woman who had stood in front of him without hesitation, who had faced down a room full of people and defended him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. A warmth spread through his chest, unfamiliar and disarming.

He had never imagined anyone would stand up for him so fiercely.

Ana broke the silence first, slapping her thigh with a loud laugh.

”Oh my God! This is hilarious!”

Layla immediately joined in. ”You definitely have to do it again!”

The two women burst into uncontrollable laughter, their voices echoing across the balcony. Their laughter was so infectious that even Mindy couldn’t help but join them.

Ana tried to speak between breaths. ”Did—did she cry?”

Mindy nodded, still laughing. ”Yes. I may have... pushed her too.”

Ana doubled over, clutching her stomach. ”Oh my God! I wish I had seen her face!”

Layla leaned against the railing, laughing so hard she nearly lost her balance. ”I can’t breathe! Monster Mindy has officially awakened!”

Mindy pointed at her, still smiling. ”Don’t start that again.”

That only made them laugh harder.

Only Wade and Matthias remained relatively composed. Wade leaned against the wall, watching the three women with quiet amusement.

Matthias stood a few steps away, his hands in his pockets, his gaze soft.

The sound of their laughter filled the night air, light and unrestrained.

Wade’s smile, however, slowly faded. He watched Mindy carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly. Her laughter was genuine, but he had seen something earlier—something that haunted him.

The hatred in her eyes when she had looked at Raymond. The disgust when Layton had tried to touch her. That wasn’t ordinary resentment. That was hatred born from pain so deep it left scars no one could see.

Aunt Maria, he thought silently, his chest tightening. Whatever happened to her, I don’t know yet. But I promise you I’ll protect her.

Matthias’s phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen.

”Dante,” he said quietly. ”I’ll be back.” He stepped away to answer the call, his voice fading into the distance.

The laughter gradually subsided. Mindy’s expression shifted, the playfulness fading as quickly as it had come. She turned toward Layla, her tone suddenly all business. ”We need to start buying Rona Design shares.”

Layla blinked, then her eyes widened in understanding. ”You think...”

Mindy nodded. ”They’ll take a massive hit tomorrow. Buy as many shares as possible. Also, start approaching the board members. Hawthorne Group will be far too busy dealing with tomorrow’s disaster.”

Layla’s lips curved into a knowing smile. ”I’ll handle it.”

Just then, Mindy’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen—Adam Gray. She answered immediately.

”Everything’s ready,” Adam’s calm voice came through the line.

Mindy smiled faintly. ”Good. We’ll be there.” She ended the call and turned to Ana and Layla. ”Come,” she said. ”We’re about to watch a very interesting show.”

Ana and Layla exchanged confused looks. ”What show?” Ana asked.

Mindy only smiled, her eyes glinting with quiet satisfaction. ”You’ll see.”

Meanwhile, inside the destroyed backstage room, Missy stood in complete silence. The air was thick with the scent of spilled perfume and broken glass.

Her wrist throbbed painfully, the skin already swollen and bruised. The expensive coffee table lay overturned, a crystal vase shattered across the marble floor.

Several chairs had been kicked aside, their legs splintered. The luxurious dressing room now resembled a battlefield.

Everyone had already left. Even Emily had gone after Raymond.

Missy stood alone amid the wreckage, her reflection fractured in the shards of glass scattered across the floor.

She clenched her injured wrist, her breath coming in shallow bursts. ”Why,” she whispered, her voice trembling, ”why is everything going wrong?”

A knock interrupted her thoughts. The door creaked open slowly.

Jodey Hale stepped inside.

Gone was the elegant socialite everyone once admired. Her expensive clothes were wrinkled, her hair disheveled, dark circles shadowing her eyes.

Her makeup, once flawless, now barely concealed the exhaustion etched into her face. She looked broken.

Missy frowned. ”You?”

Jodey walked closer, her movements hesitant. ”Missy,” she said softly, ”I need your help.”

Missy stared at her, disbelief flickering across her face. She already knew what had happened after Adam exposed Jodey and Ethan—the scandal, the attempted murder charges, the broken engagement.

The story had spread like wildfire through every social circle. Still, she hadn’t expected Jodey to appear here, of all places.

Jodey’s eyes filled with tears. ”Missy, please,” she begged.

”Ethan abandoned me. He blamed everything on me. Adam canceled our engagement. The police charged me with attempted murder. I have nothing left. You have to help me.”

Missy’s patience was already thin.

”What does your scandal have to do with me?” she snapped.

Jodey wiped her tears, her voice trembling.

”It has everything to do with you,” she said.

”I helped you. Last year, I spilled wine on Adam’s final masterpiece. He lost first place because of me. This year, you asked me to do the same thing. I also shared Adam’s designs with you before both competitions.”

Missy’s face changed instantly. ”Shut up!” she hissed, glancing toward the door. She quickly looked around the empty room, making sure no one was nearby. Only when she was certain they were alone did she relax slightly.

”You did all that yourself,” she said coldly. ”I never forced you. You didn’t want Adam to win either.”

Jodey shook her head. ”No. You told me to. And you promised you’d always help me.”

Missy folded her arms. ”What do you want?”

”I need money,” Jodey said. ”And a lawyer. I can’t fight this case alone.”

Missy sighed impatiently. ”How much?”

”10 million.”

Missy’s eyes widened. ”Are you insane? You think I’m an ATM?”

Jodey’s voice steadied. ”I’ll disappear. You’ll never hear from me again.”

Missy scoffed. ”I’ll give you two hundred thousand. Not one dollar more.”

Jodey’s expression hardened. ”Really? You won twenty million from Bright. You received luxury contracts, international fame. I never asked for anything. But now you treat me like a beggar?”

She reached into her bag and slowly pulled out her phone. Missy’s eyes narrowed.

Jodey pressed play.

The recording echoed through the room.

”You just need to ruin Adam’s final fabric,” Missy’s voice said clearly. ”That’ll give me enough points.”

Jodey’s recorded voice followed. ”I’ve already shared all his designs. Why destroy the gown too?”

Missy’s voice again, calm and cold. ”I don’t take chances. Just do it.”

Silence filled the room.

Missy’s face turned pale. ”You... you recorded me?”

Jodey smiled bitterly.

”Of course. When someone asks me to cheat, I keep insurance. Thank God I did.” She slipped the phone back into her bag.

”Five million,” she said quietly. ”And we’re done forever.”

Missy glared at her, her mind racing. Several seconds passed before she finally spoke. ”Fine. You’ll get your money tomorrow. Now leave. And make sure no one sees you.”

Jodey nodded once and walked out without another word.

The moment the door closed, Missy’s composure shattered. She kicked the overturned table violently, sending shards of glass skittering across the floor.

”Why!” she screamed.

”Why is everything against me!”

Her voice echoed through the empty room.

She took several deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down.

Slowly, she adjusted her makeup, fixed her hair, and forced another innocent smile onto her face. Then she turned and walked toward the ballroom.