My reaction clearly threw Grayson for a loop.

He watched me ignore Caleb and walk away, and decided to try his usual domineering tactics.

He gunned the engine and swerved the car, blocking my path.

“Get in!” he barked, anger simmering in his eyes. “Don’t make me say it twice, Ava.”

I stood right in front of the hood, tilting my head as I looked at him with utter contempt. “Go on, Grayson. I dare you to hit me.”

He froze, shock flaring in his eyes.

Seeing his hesitation, I walked over to the driver’s side window.

I slapped him hard across the face. “Hit me, you pathetic coward!”

Grayson was completely stunned.

Grayson was in total shock.

He couldn't believe that prison had turned me into someone so… unhinged.

Even Caleb was floored.

Of course, I didn’t leave him out.

As I walked past Caleb, I swung my hand.

Slap.

I believe in treating everyone equally.

Now all I needed was Isla, and the three of them would be a complete set.

Perhaps it was my wild behavior, but neither Grayson nor Caleb dared to approach me again, though they had people follow me from a distance.

I went to a bank.

I wasn’t even trying to hide.

Ava’s grandfather had left her a lifeline.

She had an account in a Swiss bank holding several hundred million dollars, a final safety net the old man had prepared for her.

A pity, what happened to that wise old man who had done everything to protect his granddaughter.

With the money secured, I checked into the presidential suite at the most luxurious hotel in New York.

I’m a demon; I don’t believe in roughing it.

I soaked my new body in the bathtub, enjoying the comforts of the human world while scrolling through my phone.

The trailer for Isla’s new movie was trending at number one.

OMG ISLA IS GORGEOUS, LITERALLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN ALIVE!!

Seriously, she’s incredible. An award-winning actress at 29, engaged to the prince of New York City. What kind of fairy tale life is this?

So happy for them! I heard they’re getting married next year on her 30th birthday. It’s so romantic! Childhood sweethearts, straight out of a novel!

...Ugh, you guys worship a gold-digging snake. Does anyone remember her fiancé built his empire by screwing over the woman he sent to prison?

The person who wrote that comment better watch out, you might get your account deleted. You have a BIG death wish, questioning the king himself!

A spark of interest lit my eyes.

Even with Grayson practically owning the internet, someone still dared to post something like that.

I refreshed the page.

Sure enough, the comment was gone, but the account was still active.

From the sound of it, it was probably someone who knew the truth from back then.

I tucked that little piece of curiosity away and scrolled through the endless fawning praise for Isla.

An idea began to form.