The Woman Who Knew Everything
POV: Prestige
The cold night air slapped against Prestige's skin as she stepped away from the yacht, heels clicking with every step like punctuation marks to the silence behind her. Her heart was a storm. Her mind? A battlefield.
She stepped out from the presence of Dan. But the pain followed suit.
The streets of Monaco, usually glittering with wealth and laughter, felt darker tonight. Every luxury car she passed only reminded her of the illusion she had lived in.
He lied. He never chose me.
A message pops on her phone. No name. Just a location.
"If you want the whole truth, come alone. Midnight."
She stared at the message countless times. A trap? Probably. But Prestige had never shrunk to fear like that.
She glanced at the time. 11:48 PM.
Whatever game this was, she was done playing nice.
POV: Kate
Kate watched from the window as Prestige walked and disappeared into the dark streets. She didn't need binoculars. Prestige moved with rage that burned in her heart.
"She read the message," Kate said, holding a glass of red wine. "She'll definitely come."
Behind her, a figure stood still.
"Are you sure she can handle it?"
Kate turned, arching an eyebrow. "She has to. We're already in too deep."
The man said nothing. Just nodded, then disappeared into the shadows.
Kate sipped her wine and whispered to herself, "Welcome to the real game, Belle."
POV: Prestige
Midnight.
The pier.
She arrived in silence, boots clicking over damp wood. The sea's crashing waves echoed her sorrow, each splash louder than her thoughts.
A single figure stood at the edge of the pier, veiled by shadows.
Prestige walked closer. Her breath clouded in the air.
"You came," the woman said. Her voice was soft. Familiar.
Prestige partially closed her eyes to see the figure standing. "Who are you?"
The woman stepped forward.
She wore a black coat. No makeup. But her face was unforgettable.
Kate.
"Of course," Prestige hissed. "Another game."
"No game," Kate said gently. "Only the truth."
"Spare me."
Kate pulled out her phone and played a recording.
Dan's voice.
"If she ever finds out, I'll deny everything. Prestige was just a safe choice. Kate's chaos, but she's real."
Prestige knotted her stomach. Her knees weakened. She wanted to scream, to rewind time. But all she could do was breathe in betrayal."
Her heart cracked again, deeper this time.
"Why are you showing me this?"
"Because I hate him too. And because I need you to help me destroy him."
POV: Unknown
The figure watched from a black car, engine silent. They had been following Prestige for days. Every step. Every tear. Every secret rendezvous.
Inside the car, a dossier sat on the seat beside them. Labeled: Project Belle.
Photos. Transcripts. Maps.
A soft voice crackled in the earpiece:
"Phase Two initiated. The woman knows."
The figure responded: "She doesn't know everything yet. But she will."
They smiled coldly.
"And then she'll burn everything down."
POV: Prestige
Prestige stared at Kate.
"You want me to help you? After everything you've done?"
"You think I wanted to be the villain? I was just the first casualty. You were next."
Prestige's eyes darkened.
"Then who's the real enemy?"
Kate looked up. Her lips parted.
"His father. Noah Ellis."
The name hit Prestige like a slap.
Kate continued, "Dan is just a pawn. The real monster never left the board."
Prestige took a step back. The sea howled louder. And her world shifted again.
Prestige POV
She left the pier numb. But determined.
Noah Ellis.
The name unlocked something dark in her memory, a file, a headline, a whisper.
She didn't remember reading it.
But suddenly she could hear her mother's voice, years ago:
"Never trust Ellis. Not the father. Not the son."
Prestige clutched her coat tighter.
Whatever truth lay buried in this game, she was ready to dig it up.
She pulled out her phone and dialed a number she thought she'd never call.
"Detective Monroe? This is Prestige Belle. I need everything you have on Noah Ellis."
The detective was silent.
Then he answered, grimly:
"Miss Belle... are you sure you want to open that file?"
Prestige stared out at the sea. Her voice didn't waver.
"Open it. And be prepared for hell."