Glittering chandeliers bathed the Lin estate's grand ballroom in soft gold, casting refracted light across floors polished to a mirror's shine. Crystal vases burst with white orchids flown in from the Swiss Alps. Every table was a curated masterpiece, and every guest was an A-list name.
But at the top of the marble staircase, time stood still.
Veronica Lin—once the most feared Mafia Queen on the continent—stood wrapped in pale blue chiffon, her new body draped in a vision of innocence.
Seventeen.
Delicate.
Adored.
At least, that's what they all believed.
In truth, the real Amara Lin—the youngest heiress of the Lin family—had died quietly in a hospital bed, tears on her cheeks and betrayal in her blood.
Now Veronica stood in her place. The second soul to occupy this fragile frame. The stronger soul.
The soul that would not fall again.
Applause erupted from below.
Dozens of eyes turned upward. Some calculating, some awestruck, many just pretending.
Cameras flashed. Murmurs rippled through the crowd like perfume trails.
"She looks like an angel."
"Didn't she just wake up from a coma?"
"I heard she almost died. Again."
"She's prettier than I remembered..."
Veronica ignored them all.
Her eyes locked onto five figures standing near the stage.
Her mother, elegant in emerald silk, hands clasped tightly, eyes rimmed with unshed tears.
Her father, tall and composed, with a protective edge in his stance that spoke louder than words.
Her sister—Liliana Lin—famed actress, glowing in crimson couture, arms already outstretched.
And her three brothers.
Lance, the eldest, dramatic and temperamental, looked five seconds away from tackling anyone who breathed wrong.
Leo, the second, all calm composure and strategic silence, watched her like he already suspected something had changed.
And Lucas.
No—wait.
She blinked once.
No, the third brother was Louis. Baby of the boys. Spoiled, brilliant, fashion-obsessed, and practically vibrating with emotion.
Lucas wasn't her brother.
Lucas was the bodyguard.
The shadow.
The one who hadn't taken his eyes off her since she stepped onto the landing.
His face was expressionless.
But his gaze?
Razor-sharp.
Veronica descended the stairs with practiced grace. Each step perfectly measured, her hands loose at her sides, head high.
She looked every inch the heiress the world remembered.
But inside?
Her mind was already dissecting the room.
Thirty-two percent of the guests were politically affiliated. Fourteen percent were old-money investors. Three faces she recognized from Amy's fragmented memories—former friends, perhaps—but most were strangers.
And one of them would betray the Lin family again.
The thought tightened her jaw.
She reached the bottom of the staircase just as her family surged forward.
"Baby!" Her mother wrapped her in a tearful hug.
"We thought we lost you," her father said, voice thick despite his stoic tone.
Liliana smoothed Veronica's hair. "You scared us."
"I was ready to storm the hospital and sue the entire board," Lance huffed.
Leo merely took her hand. "Welcome back."
Louis threw his arms around her neck and sniffled. "If you ever do that again, I'm buying you a heart monitor. Diamond-encrusted."
Veronica smiled.
It was strange. In her past life, family was a myth. An illusion. Something you buried or burned.
But this?
This was warmth.
Real. Unflinching. Undeniable.
It caught her off guard.
"I'm fine," she said softly, careful to mimic Amy's timbre. "Just... grateful."
More flashes. Another round of applause. The emcee took the mic and introduced her with rehearsed praise.
And still, Veronica felt Lucas's gaze follow her.
She turned, just slightly.
He stood off to the side, back straight, hands folded, dressed in black with no tie. Not once did his posture break. Not once did his eyes drift.
He wasn't watching her like the others did.
He was studying her.
Testing her.
And she knew—without a shadow of doubt—he had seen something that day in the hospital. Something no one else had.
She raised her glass as the toast began.
Smiled when expected.
Nodded on cue.
But her mind wasn't on cake or gifts or polite society chatter.
It was on the list.
The names Amy had muttered in her final breaths. The people responsible for the downfall. The ones who laughed while she died.
They were still out there.
Smiling. Breathing.
Walking free.
Not for long.
Not now that she was breathing again.
Suddenly, a new voice chimed in—sweet, false, and all too familiar.
"Ammmyyy~!"
Veronica turned.
Chloe Yuan.
Red curls. Rhinestone dress. Fake-nice smile stretched tight.
The same snake that handed Amy over to her in-laws like an offering.
"My god, you look amazing!" Chloe said, arms outstretched for a hug Veronica had no intention of returning. "You've lost weight. Comas look great on you."
Veronica tilted her head.
The smile on her lips could have sliced diamonds.
"Chloe," she said smoothly. "How thoughtful of you to come. And wearing last season's Valentino. So brave."
Chloe's eye twitched.
Before she could respond, someone cleared their throat.
Lucas.
He had stepped closer. Too close for coincidence. His hand rested on the inner seam of his blazer. Subtle. Protective.
Veronica's smile didn't waver.
"Excuse me," she said lightly, brushing past Chloe. "It's my birthday. I should at least enjoy it before the snakes start hissing."
Chloe paled.
And Lucas?
He followed.
Always a step behind.
But never out of reach.
Later that night…
The ballroom quieted as guests began to trickle out. Staff bustled. Gifts were stacked by the dozen.
Veronica stood on the balcony outside her room, moonlight casting shadows across her silk dress. The cool wind tangled through her hair.
Behind her, the door creaked open.
"I didn't call for you," she said without turning.
"No," Lucas replied, stepping into the light. "But I was asked to watch over you tonight."
"Asked? Or ordered?"
Lucas didn't respond.
Veronica turned, studying him openly now.
"What exactly do you see when you look at me?" she asked, voice low.
Lucas met her gaze. "Something no one else does."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then Veronica smiled.
"Good."
Because if anyone was going to recognize the rebirth of a queen…
It should be the one sworn to guard her.