Chapter 4 A past in the shadows

Silicone City never slept. Its skyline shimmered like a thousand scattered diamonds against a bruised violet sky, neon signs and digital billboards painting the air in sharp, electric hues.

Inside Aether Entertainment's grand auditorium, the morning air was thick with nerves. The final audition day had arrived.

Ixora Laurent adjusted the slim number tag pinned to her black leotard - 024. Her wine-red hair was tied back into a precise, loose knot, her deep blue eyes reflecting the cold brilliance of the mirrored walls. The same mirrored walls that had once witnessed every rising star and tragic downfall in this cutthroat city.

Today would decide whether she would step into the light... or be discarded like so many before her.

The New Test

After Celeste Ran's accident the previous morning, rumors spiraled like wildfire. Some whispered sabotage. Others muttered about debts owed to dangerous people. In this city, both could be true.

Madam Lin stood by the judges' table - silver hair swept back, her expression unreadable. Beside her, Elliot Zhao lounged in his seat, sharp-featured, eyes cool as a predator's.

"Ixora Laurent," Madam Lin called. "Stage."

Ixora rose, her limbs steady despite the tension coiling in her stomach. She stepped onto the stage's gleaming black surface.

"You'll perform the ballet variation from 'Black Swan,'" Madam Lin instructed crisply. "After that, a short scene from the play's confrontation monologue."

Ixora nodded.

Elliot Zhao's voice cut in smoothly. "Dance is one thing. But do you have any actual acting skill, or are you just a pretty face with stage legs?"

A few girls in the waiting area tittered.

Ixora's gaze didn't flinch. "I'll let you decide."

Zhao smirked. "Let's see it."

The Performance

The music cued - eerie, delicate strings filling the hall. Ixora moved. Every line of her body was controlled violence and grace. The duality of the Black Swan alive in her expression, her eyes flashing like cold sapphires.

By the time the final note fell, the room was silent.

"Now," Madam Lin said, sliding a sheet of paper across the table. "Read."

Ixora crossed to take it. The monologue was sharp - the Black Swan's defiant confrontation with the Prince before her final, fatal transformation.

She inhaled once and spoke.

"You think I'm yours to tame? To own?" Her voice carried, low and electric. "I was born in shadows you'll never reach. And when you sleep... it's my name you'll beg forgiveness from."

The judges exchanged unreadable looks.

Elliot Zhao leaned back, his smile genuine for the first time. "We'll see you at the final deliberation."

Ixora bowed, turned, and walked off stage, pulse roaring in her ears.

Elsewhere - Silicone City

Atop the gleaming glass tower of Marchese Holdings, the private office of Domenico Vincenzo Augustus Marchese overlooked the sprawl of Silicone City like a king over his court.

He sat at his desk, a cigarette balanced between his fingers, exhaling a thin curl of smoke. Dark tailored suit, cold steel watch. His gaze sharp as broken glass.

At his side stood his personal bodyguard, Kael Renner - thirty, ex-commando, as lethal as he was loyal. Kael's presence was silent, a shadow in human form.

Across from them, Viola Santini , his efficient, elegant PA, held a tablet in one manicured hand.

"There's something you'll want to see, sir," Viola said, tapping the screen.

A profile photo blinked up.

Ixora Laurent.

Vincenzo's brow furrowed. "Who is she?" knowing well it's the girl that save him last night but who she really his.

"Enrolled under a false identity , Background listed as from the Laurent Orphanage in the outer districts. But last night, we traced discrepancies in the biometric files."

Viola flicked to a genetic profile.

"She's no orphan," Allegra said softly. "She's Ixora Adeline Ravencourt - of the Ravencourt family. Wealthiest old money dynasty from Valenhall City. Thought dead after a house fire seventeen years ago."

The director said she use this necklace that her name was imprinted on , that's how she knew her name was Ixora, Viola said placing the necklace of the table.

Vincenzo's eyes narrowed, smoke curling from his lips. The Ravencourt name carried weight. They were one of the oldest, most powerful bloodlines in the country. Fabled for their unique wine-red hair and ice-blue eyes - traits passed down like a curse.

But I remember there's a girl name Alessia Adeline Ravencourt,the heiress of the Ravencourt,who was been taken care of by her Uncle Stanley Besseti.

She's a fake,she's Stanley Besseti illegimate daughter he had with his mistress Vanessa Mornell outside.

Interesting, he said smirking.

"Why now?" Vincenzo murmured.

Viola didn't answer. She didn't need to.

Vincenzo tapped the ashtray. "I want the full exposure. In twenty-four hours, I want every media outlet screaming about a stolen identity and a missing heir."

"Understood."

"Leave Aether alone for now," Vincenzo added. "No moves on Zhao until I say. He's still useful."

Kael tilted his head. "She doesn't know who she is?"

"No," Viola confirmed. "Records show suppressed background. The takeover was orchestrated by someone inside the old estate. according to the director she saw her Infront of her orphanage tattered with head injury, Later the news show due to the burn she undergo surgery, looks like it's not even a accident but a deliberate plan to wipe out an entire family,Looks like a planted orphanage record to cover the disappearance."

"Do it clean," Vincenzo ordered. "And prep the Valenhall press leaks."

Later That Night - Midsummer Club

The air inside the club was thick with bass-heavy beats and smoke. Ixora had come for one drink, but her nerves had her watching every shadow.

Her phone buzzed.

A message from an unknown number.

"Happy birthday, little troublemaker. Drinks? Like old times." I hear from Diana you are using Rita old phone.

Jayden.

Her stomach churned.

Rita, at her side, leaned over. "That bastard's got nerve."

"Ignore it," Ixora muttered.

But she didn't.

An hour later, she spotted him.

Jayden - sleek suit, arrogance clinging to him like cologne. He approached as if he still owned the world. As if he still owned her.

"Ix," he said with a grin. "Been too long."

She didn't smile. "What do you want?"

"To see you. Can't a guy wish his girl a happy birthday?"

"I'm not your girl," she snapped.

Rita wanted to say something but Ixora stop her.

Jayden's grin faltered. "You're still pissed about it? Babe, it was nothing. I told you I was busy-"

"Save it."

He reached for her wrist.

Another hand clamped around his shoulder like a vice.

Jayden's eyes darted up.

A tall, dark-haired man in a black jacket with a striking golden eyeball - cold, unreadable - stared down at him. Domenico Vincenzo Augustus Marchese, though no one here knew it.

"Problem?" Vincenzo's voice was soft, but dangerous.

Jayden's lips tightened. "This is none of your business." But seeing Karl behind with three other guys he paused.

"I think it is." Vincenzo's gaze slid to Ixora. "He bothering you, miss?"

"I can handle him," Ixora said coolly.

Vincenzo's eyes lingered on her - something sharp, familiar brushing the edges of his memory. A teenage girl, five years ago, bloodied and stubborn, pulling him from the wreckage of a Vehicle , it's a car accident before vanishing into smoke after calling ambulance for her , making sure he was talking safely to the hospital before she left,she even called the nurse to confirm maybe he has been treated

But he said nothing.

Instead, he stepped back, giving Jayden a final, pointed look. "Watch your hands."

As he disappeared into the crowd, Ixora's pulse pounded.

She didn't know who he was.

But something about him felt like a loaded gun.

Final Deliberation

The next morning, Aether's executive floor was a battlefield of power plays. Madam Lin and Elliot Zhao faced down their final candidates.

"Ixora Laurent," Zhao called.

She entered, shoulders squared.

"Congratulations," Madam Lin said crisply. "The role is yours."

Gasps echoed down the hall.

One of the other girls, Valeria Song, stood, fury flashing in her dark eyes. Valeria came from the influential song family - known for their grip on Silicone City's old-money circles.

"This isn't over," Valeria hissed as she passed Ixora.

Ixora didn't flinch. "It never is."

Back at Marchese Holdings

Viola entered Vincenzo's office. "Leak's ready."

"Release it."

"And the girl?"

"Let her dance," Vincenzo murmured, exhaling smoke. "For now."