Without a second of warning, Sebastian lunged forward and tore my phone straight from my hands. His thumb flew violently across the screen, movements sharp, frantic, and fueled by rage as he scrolled with a single-minded purpose—hunting for proof of a betrayal he had already sentenced me for in his mind.
Then his movements stopped.
His entire body stiffened, shoulders locking as his eyes fixed on a single image. A close-up photograph filled the screen—me standing shoulder to shoulder with a man, our faces unmistakably clear beneath the cold glow of a streetlight outside a private club.
My brother.
For a heartbeat, the room went eerily still.
Then whatever restraint Sebastian had left shattered completely.
“Oh, Arwen,” he sneered, lifting the phone high as though it were a prized trophy. “Isn’t this beautiful? Look at that—caught red-handed. The proof is staring us all in the face. So tell me… what excuse are you planning to crawl out with now?”
“I already told you the truth—that man is my brother!” I shouted, twisting violently as the guards tightened their grip on my arms. “Give me back my phone! This is theft. You’re slandering me—and violating my privacy!”
I didn’t even finish the sentence.
Sebastian’s hand lashed out.
The crack echoed sharply through the hall as pain exploded across my cheek. My vision flashed white, the sting blinding and immediate. Before I could even process the impact, he lifted my phone and hurled it down with brutal force.
The device smashed against the marble floor.
The screen shattered instantly, fragments scattering across the tiles like splintered glass, skidding toward my feet in sharp, useless pieces.
My face burned as I clutched my cheek, fury roaring through my veins. I surged forward on instinct, ready to strike back, ready to tear into him—but the family’s enforcers seized me again, locking my arms behind my back with crushing force.
That reaction only fed him.
Sebastian’s lips curved into a cold, vicious smile, the kind that came from absolute contempt.
“Don’t play innocent with me,” he said, every word dripping with disdain. “Do you really think you climbed that high in this family without spreading your legs? And don’t insult me by pretending you did it for my sake—that’s disgusting.”
I lifted my head slowly, forcing myself to meet his eyes. The disappointment hit harder than the slap, crashing over me like a tidal wave.
“Sebastian,” I said hoarsely, my voice shaking despite myself, “do you really need to degrade me like this?”
He let out a slow, mocking laugh. “Degrade you? You should be grateful I’m even acknowledging you. Do you honestly believe someone like you deserves dignity?”
The weight in my chest became unbearable—anger, humiliation, betrayal, all twisted together until it felt like I couldn’t breathe.
“Fine,” I said through clenched teeth. “If you refuse to hear the truth, then let internal affairs handle it. We’ll see who’s actually filthy here—you, with your lies, or me, with the crimes you invented.”
“Internal affairs?” He stepped closer, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. “You still think you have leverage?”
His sneer deepened. “You might not care about your name, but I care very much about mine.”
Then his voice dropped, sharp and final.
“Thank God we were never married. If you’d become my wife, you would’ve been the biggest stain on my life.”
My gaze drifted downward to the shattered remains of my phone.
And something inside me finally snapped.
“After everything you’ve done,” I said coldly, my voice eerily calm, “you can forget about your ascension tomorrow, Sebastian.”
The hall exploded with laughter.
“Have you completely lost your mind?” Celeste clutched her stomach, laughing so hard she nearly bent in half.
Sebastian shook his head, smirking. “Listen to yourself. Who do you think you are? You actually believe you have the power to stop this family from rising?”
His eyes glittered with mockery. “What—do you think you’re some kind of Queen of the Elite Circles? That one word from you could bring my coronation crashing down?”
I lifted my head and met his gaze without flinching.
“That’s exactly who I am,” I said evenly. “And the man in those photos? That’s my brother—Dorian Frost.”
The laughter didn’t stop.
It grew louder.
Mr. Webb slammed his hand against the table, wheezing with amusement. “She’s completely lost it!”
“If you’re the head of the Elite Circles,” he cackled, “then I must be Arthur Frost himself!”
“Yes! Exactly!” others shouted.
“If she’s the Queen of the Elite Circles, I’ll eat dirt right here!”
I slowly swept my gaze across them, lips curling into a cold, disdainful smile.
“Arthur Frost is my father,” I said calmly. “Not a title for ignorant men who bark the loudest without knowing who they’re biting.”
Their laughter faltered—but I didn’t stop.
“You don’t believe me? Of course you don’t. Men like you—who follow whoever shouts the loudest and spew filth without thinking—are used to swallowing garbage every single day.”
My words landed like bullets.
The room erupted into chaos.
“Believe you?” someone shouted. “You’re nothing but a woman who slept her way to power!”
Mockery echoed from every corner, laughter bouncing cruelly off the walls.
Sebastian shook his head, his expression a blend of disgust and feigned pity. “Enough. Get out, Arwen. You’re polluting my territory. Never associate yourself with me again.”
My fists clenched so tightly my nails cut into my palms. Rage surged—but I forced it down.
“Fine,” I said quietly. “I’ll go.”
I looked at them one last time, my voice steady, sharp as steel.
“But remember this—every humiliation you poured on me tonight will be returned a hundredfold.”
More laughter followed.
“Payback? Seriously?” someone scoffed.
Celeste clung to Sebastian’s arm, laughing breathlessly. “Arwen, have you been watching too many crime dramas? Talking about revenge like you’re some tragic heroine.”
Sebastian waved his hand dismissively. “Enough theatrics. Get lost. We have a celebration to enjoy.”
I didn’t answer.
I turned and walked away.
Behind me, insults and laughter chased my steps—but they no longer mattered.
Outside the grand hall, beneath the cold city night, I bought a new phone and dialed a familiar number.
“Before the markets open tomorrow,” I said calmly, “I want Sebastian destroyed.”
There was a brief pause.
Then a deep voice replied, steady and absolute.
“Understood, Miss Frost.”
I cut the call and looked up into the darkened sky, a calm, icy smile slowly curving my lips.
Sebastian—you believed you had claimed victory.
Unfortunate for you.
The real battle was only starting.
And since you chose cruelty—
You’ll receive none in return.
