The next day Emma took off from the city with Kira's meager savings and moved to the capital where the villain currently was. She rented a basement downtown and changed her wardrobe from the sleazy dresses Kira owned. She also took a tour around the city to familiarize herself with the world she was in.

Emma found a local library where she used the public computer browse on the latest fashion trends. She looked for more information on the villain and discovered that she would be present at some upcoming fashion shows. The problem was Emma had no connections to get into such fashion shows and could only look for other ways to attend. She noticed a certain masquerade charity ball that the villain was sure to attend. She made this her goal, the ball would be in a month's time. Emma needed to earn money fast and find a way to attend the ball.

Emma applied to work at several fabric industries but was rejected due to her qualifications, Kira was an high school drop out. Emma then turned to what she was good at and began writing web novels. She quickly ammassed fame as this world's literary works were not up to pat with what she was used to. Soon companies began to approach her to publish her works in hard copy.

Emma chose to work with a small time family owned publishing company. In the span of a month Emma had earned enough from writing to allow her buy one socially acceptable dress. Through the influence of her publisher, Emma was able to get an invite to the ball. It all seemed too easy and Emma suspected that there were some underground workings she wasn't aware about.

Emma had requested the system to help her do surveillance but all she got was a prompt to work hard to increase her level.

The night of the ball arrived and Emma stepped into the ball room at the last minute an obvious attempt to gain attention. She also didn't wear the conventional black but a red dress. It was an A-line off-shoulder dress with a slit that left little to imagination. She had ruby red drop earrings and an elegant red lace mask. What was eye-catching about the dress was the way the waist was cinched showing off Kira's hourglass figure.

As she stepped forward into the ballroom, her red strap heels made clicking sounds and her lips curved up in a seductive smile. What the people saw was a confident woman with an amazing figure and an aura that screamed noble. It left many wondering about the face under that mask. What they didn't know was that this blue eyed woman was freaking out in her head.

Calm down. Emma repeated to herself, it's just people. Yet she had the impulse to turn and run. Years of being a shut in had left her with zero social skills. Emma made her way to the organizers of the ball who weren't wearing masks and said a quick hello. After she left the stunned group who were wondering who invited her a swarm of wolves floccked to her and began speaking praises as lecherous eyes wandered over her figure.

"Excuse me I'd like to speak to her." A frosty voice said and Emma felt a hand at her elbow. She was quickly steered by the man to a dim lit corner of the ball.

"Vicente." Emma said as they stood facing each other. She have the man an appreciative glance. He wore a fitted black tux and slender fingers were tugging at his tie as his jaw clenched.

"What are you doing here?"

"Why? I wasn't aware I was not allowed to go where I wanted." Emma said and her lips raised in a sneer.

"People of your caliber don't just waltz into places like this." Vicente said and his eyes stilled and watched her with a crazed look. Emma gave a low laugh with a tilt of her head.

"People of my caliber you say? Pray tell me what am I?" Emma asked taunting the already pissed man in front of her. He grabbed her hand and tightened his hold which made Emma hiss in pain.

"Look here woman I don't have time for your games. All I need of you is to tell me where Erika is. If you want to play around though I can ask my men to take care of you."

"Really I wonder how happy Erika will he to hear that. Listen good Vicente I'm never going to let you get to Erika you might as well kill me and see. Let's see if Erika will still want you." Emma said and snatched her hand back. She have him a sharp look as she turned to face the villain who had come upon them.

"Vicente darling who is this?" Ashley asked and wound her arm around Vicente's arm. She rested her head on his shoulder and they gave off a vibe of an harmonious couple. But Emma wasn't fooled not after what she had just witnessed.

"Hello Miss Scott I'm Kira. I've been wanting to meet you." Emma said and smiled as she held out a hand to shake Ashley.

"Really? I don't know you." Ashley said sharply and refused to shake hands with Kira.

"It's okay I'm not that popular after all. I am quite interested though in a collaboration." Emma said as she took her hand back not looking a bit embarrassed as though she had expected this outcome.

"What are you trying to do?" Vicente asked and you could feel the anger rolling off him in waves.

"Nothing I am just trying to know more about Miss Scott here. If you don't mind me asking can we set a lunch date? At the Sky Garden if you will. One pm on the dot. I'll be waiting for you Miss Scott, I think you will get very interested in what I have to say." Emma said with an ever present smile. Ashley looked confused and noticed the chilling glares Vicente was giving Emma.

"Then have a good day. I look forward to our lunch date." Emma said and waltzed out of the ball as she'd come in. But she knew she had successfully sparked the people's interest by speaking with the two most influential people present.

"Don't go to that lunch." Vicente said.

"Why?"

"That woman is toxic. Everything that comes out of her mouth are lies."

"And why should I believe you. It looked like she had quite a lot to say about you."

"Trust me Ashley you don't want to associate with a woman like that."

"Why should I trust you? For all I know you are going behind my back and having an affair." Ashley said harshly tears welling up in her eyes.

"I am not having an affair. I told you I don't want this engagement but it doesn't mean I have another woman."

"Then why don't you want me to speak with people who know more about you?"

"Believe me that prostitute knows nothing about me. If you're not going to trust me then call off the engagement already." Vicente said and stalked off leaving Ashley standing alone with her thoughts. Ashley pondered over the woman in red. She seemed mysterious and she knew what she was doing. She made up her mind to find out more about the woman.