Lara descends off her private plane and walks through the airport carrying her bag. An impeccably dressed Arab man approaches her and greets her.
"Welcome to Cairo, Lady Croft" and offers his hand.
"Thank you very much, it has been years since I came to Egypt."
"I am sure he enjoyed your stay," he says. He takes her bag and leads her to a luxurious car that is waiting for her. By a side exit they leave the airport and head to the city center.
"Mr. Zaid sends a message and says he will receive you tonight."
"Tonight?" Lara replies a little surprised.
"He has an important meeting to attend, it is an unexpected matter, so he excuses himself and also tonight he will offer a formal reception in his mansion, in the shopping center Lady Croft you can find everything you need."
"Very well, no problem."
The driver takes Lara to a lavish five-star hotel where she will stay. Lara has the most luxurious room with all expenses paid for her.
"Please feel free to enjoy your stay, tonight at 10, I'll come and get you."
"Understood, see you then," says Lara and with a small bow the man leaves.
A few days ago, Lara received a letter at her mansion which was sent to her by a man named Mohammad Zaid. In the letter he invited her to come to Cairo to discuss an important job he has for her. At first Lara had no intention of accepting, but along with the letter came a photo of an object in the shape of a scorpion that immediately caught her attention, so Lara called a phone number that came in the letter and confirmed her trip to Egypt. Lara also made a little investigation of this man and find out that Mr. Zaid is a well-known and well-respected businessman, philanthropist and patron of arts and culture. He is also an avid collector of art and archaeological objects, but his contacts also tell her that he is also a very powerful man, "he is not someone you want as an enemy," they warn her.
Tonight's reception is a formal event, so Lara immediately starts looking for a suitable outfit for the occasion. In the same hotel there are several exclusive shops where she finds everything for the occasion.
"Don't worry, Mr. Zaid said that he will cover all your expenses" they tell Lara when she was buying a dress. So, she decides on an elegant one, but sensual that allows her to bring out her great beauty and her curvaceous body, she wants to make a good impression on her host.
Back in her room, as she gets ready and asks for some files to be sent from the Croft mansion to her laptop related to the photo of the item she received. Lara is very curious about what else this man would tell her. She looks at the time and gets ready by putting on the outfit she chose. At ten o'clock Lara leaves her room and descends to the hotel lounge where the driver is waiting for her.
"Lady Croft," he says to her with a small bow and leads her to the vehicle. The chauffeur can't help but glance at Lara's legs as she gets into the car and then they drive trough the city until they reach an imposing mansion, even bigger than the Croft mansion.
In the front garden she can see armed guards and a spectacular collection of luxury vehicles that belong to her host and guests. With elegance, Lara gets out of the vehicle and is led to the entrance where she leaves the cape she is wearing and her handbag. Lara wears a red dress with a deep revealing cleavage, fitted to her figure and open on both sides showing her magnificent legs, her hair is worn in a single long braid. "Lady Lara Croft, Countess of Abbingdon," is formally announced.
In the place she notices the presence of people of great political and economic power. Businessmen, politicians not only from Egypt but also from other countries and several billionaires. Lara is the only woman invited, the rest of the women present there are companions, waitresses in charge of serving the guests. All very beautiful, undoubtedly handpicked. Lara immediately attracts attention from several of those present. Although she hates formal events, she knows how to handle herself in the high society.
"An interesting proposal," Lara replies with a smile when an Asian millionaire invites her to his yacht after the reception. She chats with several guests and realizes the important connections that Mr. Zaid has. Cleary he is a man of the world and with great influence and power.
With curiosity she moves around the enormous room admiring the works of art that are exhibited there. Without a doubt, Mr. Zaid has a huge collection of art and archaeological pieces from all over the world. There are pieces ranging from Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, pre-Columbian cultures and Asia, as well as paintings and sculptures by the most outstanding artists of the Renaissance.
"Your collection is very impressive," Lara says aloud, noticing that someone was following her.
"Thank you very much," replies a man in his late sixties or older. Dressed in an Arabian tunic made of the finest silk with gold thread and wearing some jewels.
"Mohammad Zaid," introduces himself.
"Lara Croft," she replies and offers him the hand that he kisses politely and looking her in the eye.
"I'm honored that you responded to my invitation," he says as he walks alongside Lara.
"I must admit that the photo of that artifact caught my attention, enough to come."
"I imagined that it would be the case, do you have any idea what it could be?"
"Yes, but anyway I wish I could review it personally."
"Of course, Lady Croft, over here," and he leads Lara to a nearby room and shows her not only the article in the photo, but there are also others.
"Please," Mr. Zaid gestures to Lara to see everything. She takes several artifacts and reviews them in detail. There are vases, amphoras and various pieces of gold, silver and precious stones, all with the symbol of a scorpion.
"It's incredible, this predates the first pharaonic dynasty, its style is unique, it has no relation to any artifact of Ancient Egypt, this predates the pyramids, by a long time," she says amazed by the magnitude of the discovery.
Mr. Zaid smiles, "very impressive, it took the archaeologists at the museum in Cairo and my own archaeologists' days to come to the conclusion that you arrived in minutes, you certainly know about the subject, they were right about you."
"About what?" Lara asks with curiosity.
"Other archeologist said that you have a knack for lost civilization and ancient mysteries," he answers.
"I have researched the Scorpion King, but this is the first time I have seen artifacts directly related to him."