Determined to avenge his unfaithful wife, the millionaire attended a beauty contest and observed models mocking a young cleaner: «Got mops for poles, huh?» Approaching her, the wealthy man murmured: «Dry your tears, come with me…»

Paul realized time was running out. He looked around; the small window was too narrow to climb through. All that was left was to wait and pray that security arrived faster.

The blows grew stronger. The door began to crack. Finally, after 15 minutes that seemed like eternity, voices of security guards and the stomp of many feet echoed in the house.

— Police! — Drop your weapon. The pounding on the door stopped. Paul heard commotion, shouts, slamming doors.

When he finally dared to leave the bathroom, the house was full of uniformed people. But Sophia and Brandon were nowhere to be found. They escaped through the back door, reported the team commander.

— But we’ll find them. — We have their descriptions, and all city exits are already blocked. Paul showed the police the broken items, bullet holes in the walls and paintings.

In the bedroom, they found a vial of poison that the criminals had forgotten in their haste. — This is attempted murder with aggravating circumstances, said the policeman. — We’ll definitely catch them.

But when the police and security left, Paul remained alone in the empty house amid scattered roses and shards of his shattered past. Five years of life given to a woman who was slowly killing him. Betrayal by his best friend, who was ready to shoot him like a dog.

That same night, sitting in his office and staring at the bullet hole in the wall, Paul made a decision. He wouldn’t just seek their punishment through the courts. He would make them regret the day they decided to betray him.

The revenge would be sophisticated and merciless. But most importantly—it would be just. The next morning, Paul looked like a man who had survived a catastrophe.

Having not slept all night, he sat in his office, surrounded by documents and photographs that he once kept as precious memories but now saw as evidence of his own naivety. On the table lay the marriage certificate, joint vacation photos, gifts that Sophia had given him on birthdays. All of it now seemed fake, contrived.

How could he have been so blind? His thoughts were interrupted by a doorbell. His lawyer, Michael Turner, an experienced attorney who had handled Paul’s company affairs for many years, arrived. He was a man in his 50s, with a piercing gaze and a reputation for never losing complex cases.

«Paul, I came as soon as I heard,» Turner said, entering the office. «This is terrible. I never thought Sophia was capable of this.

I didn’t think so either,» Paul replied bitterly. «Apparently, I don’t understand people well. Don’t blame yourself.»

They played their roles skillfully. Turner sat in the chair opposite. «I’ve already reviewed the case materials.

We have solid evidence. The poison, security testimonies, surveillance camera recordings that captured their escape.» Sophia and Brandon won’t escape responsibility.

How much will they get? Paul asked, not looking away from the window, for attempted murder with mercenary motives, 10 to 20 years. Considering the victim is the accused’s husband, and the crime was planned in advance, we can expect the maximum term. 20 years, Paul repeated.

And what? They’ll serve, get out, and continue living. Paul, I understand your feelings, but the law is the law. The main thing is they’ll be punished for their crimes.

Paul turned to the lawyer. In his eyes was a cold determination that made Turner involuntarily tense. «Michael, I want you to do everything possible for their search and arrest.

Hire the best private detectives, use all connections. But in parallel, I have other plans.» What plans? «Carefully,» asked the lawyer.

«Paul, don’t tell me you’re planning to take revenge yourself. That could backfire on you.» «Nothing illegal,» Paul assured.

«Just I’ll show them what real pain from betrayal is. They wanted my money and my status.» «Perfect.

I’ll deprive them of exactly that.» Turner frowned but didn’t press for details. He knew his client well enough to understand.

When Paul decided something, convincing him otherwise was impossible. «Alright,» he said, standing up. «But be careful.

Revenge is a double-edged sword.» That same day, as if by fate, he received an unexpected phone call. «Mr. Harrison?» «This is Victoria Larson, organizer of the international beauty contest ‘Queen of Elegance’.»

«We’d like to invite you as an honorary jury member.» Paul wasn’t surprised, as he had been one of the sponsors of the event for the third year. It was a prestigious show held annually in one of the major American cities.

«This year the contest is set to take place in Las Vegas. Sorry, but why me specifically?» he asked. «Your company ‘Harrison Group’ is one of the main sponsors of the event,» Victoria explained.

«Besides, you’re known as a connoisseur of art and beauty. Your opinion will be very authoritative for the participants.» «When does the contest take place?» «In 10 days.»

«Monday – arrival of participants and rehearsals, Tuesday – opening ceremony, Wednesday and Thursday – main challenges, Friday – final and awarding.» Paul pondered. A beauty contest.

Sophia always painfully envied girls who participated in such events. She considered herself worthy of the grand prize but never got it. And what if? The idea was bold, almost insane.

But the more he thought about it, the more appealing it seemed. «I agree,» he said. «Send me all the necessary documents and the event program.»

«Excellent.» Victoria was delighted. «We’ll book a room for you at the ‘Grand Las Vegas’ hotel.

See you at the opening ceremony.» After the conversation, Paul felt a strange premonition stirring in his chest. As if fate itself was hinting at the path to revenge.

He spent the rest of the day pondering the plan. The idea was bold but ingenious in its simplicity. Sophia had always dreamed of recognition in the world of beauty and never received it.

And what if someone else got what she so desired? What if a simple girl without connections and money became what Sophia dreamed of becoming? But to implement this plan, he needed to find a suitable candidate. A girl who was beautiful but unaware of it. Talented but deprived of opportunities.

Someone who could become a living reproach to Sophia’s ambitions. That evening, Paul packed a suitcase and booked a plane ticket to Las Vegas. In a week, he was to be at the center of the world of fashion and beauty.

But the main purpose of the trip was not at all to choose the most beautiful girl. Paul was going there to begin his revenge. Revenge that was to become not destruction, but creation.

He would show Sophia that one can rise to the stars without trampling others. The plane landed at Las Vegas airport on Sunday morning. A driver with a sign «Mr.

Harrison» waited for him in the arrivals hall. The drive to the hotel took about an hour; Paul silently looked out the window at the passing Nevada landscapes. But his thoughts were focused on the upcoming events.

He still didn’t know exactly how he would act. The plan was general: find a girl who could become his instrument of revenge. But how exactly it would happen, time would tell.

The ‘Grand Las Vegas’ hotel greeted him with a luxurious neoclassical interior and impeccable service. Marble columns, crystal chandeliers, antique furniture—all exuded wealth and taste. In the spacious lobby, participants of the upcoming contest were already gathering: elegantly dressed girls with model looks, their trainers and stylists, press representatives, organizers.

Paul observed this colorful crowd and thought that somewhere among these people might be the key to his revenge. The participants were truly beautiful: tall, slender, with flawless faces and confident manners. But in their beauty, there was something uniform, templated.

As if they were created from a single mold. «Welcome to Las Vegas, Mr. Harrison.» A middle-aged woman with impeccable hair and a strict business suit approached him.

«I’m Victoria Larson; we spoke on the phone.» «Very pleased to meet you in person,» Paul replied, shaking her extended hand. Victoria was a professional of the highest level.

She had been organizing such events for over 15 years and knew how to create an atmosphere of a real celebration. In her eyes were experience, energy, and sincere love for her work. «Allow me to escort you to your room, and then introduce you to the other jury members,» she offered.

«Tomorrow morning we have a technical rehearsal and acquaintance with the participants; in the evening, the grand opening ceremony.» They went up the elevator to the top floor. The room turned out to be a presidential suite with a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip.

From the windows opened a view of the famous Bellagio fountains and the Caesars Palace. «The contest program is on the table,» Victoria informed. «We expect you in the conference hall at 8 a.m. for the jury briefing.

In the meantime, settle in, rest from the trip. If you need anything, call the reception.» Left alone, Paul took a shower and tried to sleep a bit after the early flight, but sleep wouldn’t come.

His mind swirled with thoughts of the upcoming revenge, of Sophia and Brandon hiding somewhere from justice, of the plan that was just beginning to form in his consciousness. In the evening, he decided to stroll through the hotel, study the surroundings, observe the participants and organizers. In the main restaurant, an informal dinner was taking place; girls were getting to know each other, journalists were taking interviews, organizing committee members were resolving last questions.

Paul ordered dinner at a separate table and watched what was happening. The participants were from different countries; he heard French, German, Spanish speech. Most girls looked confident, accustomed to attention.

This was the typical crowd of golden youth, Paul thought bitterly. Exactly the environment Sophia always wanted to be in…