The contents of the diary were more explosive than I had expected. Victoria not only recorded in detail how she manipulated my father and drugged my mother, but also documented her secret deals with the Stanford family, as well as her plans for me.

"Ella has become too clever," she wrote in a recent diary entry. "She's starting to ask questions. We need to accelerate our plan. K has agreed to help. If Ella 'falls ill' like her mother, Richard's inheritance will go entirely to Sophia."


K obviously refers to Katherine Stanford. They were planning to do the same thing to me—make me appear mentally unstable, then send me to a psychiatric hospital, just like they did to my mother.

Turning to later pages, I discovered more disturbing details. Victoria documented in detail how she systematically transferred funds from my father's accounts, laundered them through the Stanford family companies, and then reinvested them in high-risk projects. She even recorded specific amounts and dates—these would be crucial evidence in court.

Most shocking of all, she had written down her true thoughts about my mother: "Elizabeth was never insane. She was too intelligent and began to suspect my relationship with Richard. She had to be eliminated. Medication was the simplest method—no one would question the mental breakdown of a woman with a 'family history of mental illness.'"


My hands trembled with rage. This woman not only destroyed my mother's life but was planning to do the same to me. And my father, blinded by her lies and manipulation, never saw the truth.

The final pages contained her latest plans with Katherine: "K suggests we use Ella's interest in Blake. If we can make her embarrass herself in front of him, or better yet, make it appear as if she's stalking or harassing him, no one will question her mental state. The Blake family's influence can ensure she's quickly and quietly institutionalized."


So this was their plan. To use my interactions with Alexander to frame me. In my previous life, this plan succeeded—I was portrayed as an obsessed stalker, an unstable woman, and was eventually sent to a mental institution for "treatment" by my own husband.

But this time, I've seen through their game.

I photocopied the key pages of the diary, then carefully returned the original to Victoria's jewelry box. If she discovered the diary missing, she would immediately suspect me. But if it remained in place, she might never know I had uncovered her secret.

When I returned to my room, my phone rang. It was an unknown number.

"Hello?" I answered cautiously.

"Miss Haston," Alexander Blake's deep voice came through the phone. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

My heart raced. "Mr. Blake, this is a surprise."

"I'd like to invite you to dinner," he said straightforwardly. "Tonight, if you're available."

In my previous life, this invitation would have made me ecstatic. Now, I know it could be a trap. Katherine might have already told him about me, trying to use him to gather information.

But this could also be an opportunity for me to learn more about Blake Enterprises' dealings with Victoria.

"Tonight works," I replied. "Do you have a place in mind?"

"I'll send a car to pick you up at seven." He didn't specify the location, typical Alexander style—controlling everything.

"Looking forward to seeing you," I said, then hung up the phone.

I need to proceed with caution. Alexander Blake is a dangerous ally, but an even more dangerous enemy. In my previous life, he ultimately chose Katherine over me, participating in the plot that led to my death. This time, I won't let history repeat itself.

I walked to the window and looked out at the garden. Victoria was talking to the gardener on the lawn, looking completely relaxed, without a worry. She didn't know I had discovered her secret, didn't know I was plotting her downfall.

This ignorance gave me an advantage. But I also knew that once she realized what I knew, she would become even more dangerous. I needed to accelerate the progress of my plan.

I took out my phone and sent an encrypted message to Oliver: "Found key evidence. Victoria and Plan K are moving against me. Need to meet as soon as possible."

A few seconds later, the reply came: "Tomorrow at 10 AM, my office. Bring the evidence. Be careful."

I took a deep breath, preparing for tonight's meeting with Alexander. This would be a dangerous dance, but I was no longer that naive girl. This time, I would control the rhythm.

At exactly seven o'clock, a black sedan stopped in front of the Hayston house. Victoria happened to be in the hall and saw me dressed in a simple but elegant dark blue dress ready to go out.

"Where are you going?" she asked, with suspicion in her voice.

"Dinner," I answered simply.

"With whom?"

Just then, the doorbell rang. The butler opened the door, and Alexander Blake stood there, wearing a perfectly tailored suit, looking breathtakingly handsome.

Victoria's eyes widened. "Mr. Blake!"

"Mrs. Haston," Alexander nodded politely. "I'm here to take Ella to dinner."

Victoria's expression quickly transformed from shock to calculation. I could almost see her brain working rapidly, considering how to use this situation to her advantage.

"What a pleasant surprise," she said sweetly. "Ella didn't mention she had a date tonight."

"It was a last-minute arrangement," Alexander said, turning his gaze to me. "Are you ready?"

I nodded, walking toward the door. "Don't wait up, Victoria. It might be late."

As we walked toward his car, I could feel Victoria's gaze following us. No doubt, she would be calling Katherine immediately.

Alexander opened the car door for me. "Your stepmother seemed surprised."

"Victoria doesn't like surprises," I replied. "She likes to control everything."

Alexander's lips curved slightly upward. "We have that in common."

The car started moving, and we fell into a brief silence. Alexander observed me, and I observed him as well. In my past life, I had never truly understood this man. I was attracted to his appearance and power, but never saw through to his heart.

"Why did you invite me to dinner, Mr. Blake?" I finally asked.

"Alexander, please call me Alexander," he said. "As for why... because you make me curious."

"Curious?"

"You're not like others," he said. "The way you see things... it's different."

I smiled. "Is that a compliment or a criticism?"

"It's an observation," he answered. "I like observing interesting things."

The car stopped in front of a restaurant I didn't recognize. There was no sign, just an understated door and a waiter standing outside.

"Where is this?" I asked.

"A private club," Alexander said. "I think you'll appreciate the privacy here."

The waiter recognized Alexander and immediately guided us in. The interior decoration was minimalist yet luxurious, with only a few tables, each placed far apart to ensure conversational privacy.

We were led to a corner table overlooking the nighttime view of Central Park. The waiter poured champagne for us, then quietly withdrew.

"To curiosity," Alexander raised his glass.

I gently clinked my glass against his. "To observation."

We ordered food, and the conversation flowed naturally. Alexander asked about my art, and I inquired about his business. On the surface, it was a pleasant dinner date. But we both knew there was more going on beneath the surface.

"Your mother's disappearance must be very concerning for you," Alexander said after the main course, with genuine concern in his voice.

I carefully put down my fork. "Yes, very concerning."

"Do the police have any leads?"

"No," I said. "But I believe she's safe."

Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly. "You sound very certain."

I looked directly into his eyes. "Some things, you just know."

He was silent for a moment, then changed the subject. "There seems to be some... tension between you and Katherine Stanford."

"We have different values," I answered cautiously.

"She mentioned you had some unpleasant exchanges at the dinner."

So Katherine had indeed talked to him about me. "Miss Stanford made some... inappropriate comments about my mother's condition."

Alexander nodded. "Kate lacks sensitivity sometimes."

"Or empathy," I added.

The corner of his mouth turned up slightly. "Are you always this direct?"

"Only when necessary."

After dinner, Alexander suggested we take a walk. The night was pleasantly cool, and Central Park looked peaceful and mysterious in the moonlight.

"Your father has been talking with our company about a project recently," Alexander suddenly said. "A major art investment."

My heart rate accelerated. This was the secret transaction project between Victoria and the Stanford family.

"Really?" I feigned surprise. "He didn't mention it."

"It's a... rather unconventional arrangement," Alexander continued. "Conducted through Stanford Group."

"Sounds complicated."

"Indeed it is," he said, with a hint of suspicion in his voice. "Especially considering the source of the funds."

He knew. Or at least suspected something was wrong.

"Alexander," I paused, turning toward him. "Why are you telling me all this?"

His eyes appeared deep and mysterious in the moonlight. "Perhaps I have my suspicions too. Perhaps I want to see if you know something."

"About what?"

"About the relationship between your stepmother and the Stanford family."

I carefully chose my words. "If I did know something, what would that change?"

Alexander stepped closer, his breath brushing against my cheek. "That depends on what you know, and how you intend to use that information."

Our eyes met, a silent understanding passing between us. Alexander Blake might be a potential ally, but he was a businessman first. He would protect his own interests.

"If I have any... relevant information," I said slowly, "I would consider sharing it. But only if it's mutually beneficial."

He smiled, a genuine smile with appreciation. "You're more... shrewd than I imagined."

"Most people underestimate me," I said. "That's usually their mistake."

When Alexander drove me home, we both knew this dinner had changed the rules of the game. We were no longer strangers, or even just potential lovers. We were now possible allies in a dangerous game, each with our own agenda.

When I walked through the door, Victoria was waiting for me, pretending to casually sit on the sofa in the hall.

"How was dinner?" she asked, her voice sweet but her eyes sharp.

"Pleasant," I answered simply.

"Alexander Blake is a very influential person," she said, observing my reaction. "Establishing a relationship with him could be beneficial for our family."

I almost laughed out loud. Victoria was already planning how to use my relationship with Alexander.

"I'll keep that in mind," I said, then went upstairs to my room.

Once alone, I immediately took out my phone and sent an encrypted message to Oliver:

"B knows something. Potential ally. Need to proceed with caution."

The game had become more complicated, but I was still one step ahead. Victoria's diary had given me enough ammunition, and Alexander's suspicions might work to my advantage. Now, I needed to put these pieces together, formulate a perfect plan that would not only expose Victoria's crimes but also ensure she could never harm me or my loved ones again.

Tomorrow's meeting with Oliver would be crucial. I needed to make sure all evidence was secure and accurate, ready to face the coming storm. Because once I started to act, there would be no turning back.