The distant cousin

"It’s no use looking at me with that serious face, you will smile at that dinner. Or I’ll turn you in to the police for everything you’ve done and who you really are," Gina’s voice was as sharp as glass, breaking the silence of the luxurious walk-in closet.

In the mirror's reflection, the former business tycoon — now trapped in the statuesque, perfectly waved-haired, and curvy silhouette of a stunning young woman — adjusted the white cuffs of the structured black romper. The contrast of the white collar and cuffs against the dark fabric brought an almost executive elegance, if not for the daring cutout neckline that defied gravity. Forced to wear high heels and hold a designer handbag, he took a deep breath. The sensation of breathing in that body was still suffocating, but the fury in his mind remained unchanged.

"I’m not to blame if my husband simply thought his accounts wouldn't get frozen and that he could just run away in that body..." Gina continued, pacing back and forth, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "You thought you were pulling off the perfect heist, using that bizarre magic or tech to create this brand-new image without a concrete identity, take the money, and vanish while leaving the debts behind? Genius. You just forgot to account for the federal banks."

She stopped right behind him, staring at the reflection of this gorgeous new woman.

"Now neither I nor you have access to your company. And even if we did, the bank, the creditors, and the police themselves will keep those assets frozen! You bankrupt our dynasty, you ruined our family!"

The transformed man tried to open his mouth to protest with his old authority, but the voice that came out was a velvety, high-pitched tone, completely stripped of the weight that once terrified boardrooms.

"Gina, listen to me... We can reverse this if I talk to my contacts..."

"Forget your contacts! You are wanted by Interpol, darling," Gina laughed, a dry, humorless sound. She gently patted his shoulder, adjusting the fit of the outfit. "But I am a woman of vision. Since you created this beautiful face from scratch, we are going to use it. As of today, you are my distant 'little cousin' who came to stay with us for a while. No one will suspect a thing. We are going to work as a team, because now we are going to help each other."

She leaned in close to his ear, a highly ambitious smile on her face and her eyes gleaming.

"Remember what's at stake. I’ll lead the way to charm the father, the old tycoon. And you, with all your experience as a businessman and that ruthless look, will use your cards to hook his son. I guarantee that with this outfit, it’s going to be easy for you to keep the boy wrapped around your little finger. Let's go, 'little cousin', business dinner is served."