The Tip Nathalie had given them about this charity event had seemed like Ladybug and Chat Noirs big break in the case until they realised they couldn't actually go.

Chat Noir couldn't show up since Adrien had to be there in person, and Ladybug couldn't go either since Adrien had asked Marinette to go with him. Really, she should have said no, but she couldn't come up with a plausible reason to say no.

So they'd had to pick substitutes, Marinette would have liked to go with Alya, but she couldn't be Rena Rouge anymore, Kagami could have been a good choice but she had to go to the event as well. Eventually, she settled on Luka, and she'd made sure to tell him to check for secret rooms since Gabriel had one.

Adrien had a similar thought process. He loved Nino. The guy was his brother, but he couldn't be stealthy if his life depended on It. So instead, he'd gone with the quietest person he knew, Juleka.

Now that that was settled, Marinette was focused on making sure Adrien had a good time or as good a time as he could have at that event. She'd been neglecting her social life, and she knew Adrien was going through a tough time. He'd need his girlfriend's support.

Unfortunately, she knew it would get worse for him before it got better because Chat Noir was right, no more unnecessary secrets, which meant she'd have to tell Adrien he wasn't exactly human. Not that she even had the slightest clue how to break news like that.

Still, she had to do that as Ladybug, which meant it'd have to be tomorrow. That'd hopefully give her time to think of how best to break the news, maybe get some input from Chat Noir?

She couldn't think about any of that right now. Adrien was here to pick her up.

"Marinette, sorry to drag you along. It's just.. I don't wanna be alone right now."

"You don't need to apologize, I'd hardly be a very good girlfriend if I didn't try to cheer you up now, would I?"

"I appreciate the support, but I shouldn't drag you down with my problems."

"Well, I know if the situation were reversed" She gently took hold of his hand. "You'd do it for me"

"Somehow I can't see either of your parents going full Supervillain" He joked weakly as they sat in the car.

–

When the pair arrived at the Charity Gala being held at Tomoe's own home, they were immediately greeted by Felix and Kagami.

His ex dating his cousin was still a situation Adrien would never get used to, but even so, the four of them had one goal, to discreetly look around without drawing attention to themselves.

Juleka and Luka would handle sneaking around behind the scenes, of course, but they could still do their bit.

Though It was a little harder for Adrien and Marinette since neither knew the other was here for the same thing.

Plagg and Tikki sighed in unison about this ridiculous scenario.

Once the guests had arrived, Tomoe walked out on state before clearing her throat. "as you are all no doubt aware, it has recently come to light that our late founder, Gabriel Agreste, was in reality the Villain known as Hawkmoth, among many other titles-"

–

Up above, Purple Tigress and Viperion had successfully made their way inside thanks to Nathalie arranging one of the Windows to be open for them. They weren't exactly sure what they were looking for something that linked her to the Chrysalis, of course, but what that might be, they had no clue

Still, they figured if It was anywhere, it'd be in her office. All though probably not in plain sight, Kagami had told them the basic layout of the house so it wouldn't be much trouble finding the place.

All though when they're reached Tomoe's office, they encountered an issue they perhaps should have anticipated, and the door was locked.

"Can you force it?" Viperion asked in a hushed tone.

"Well sure I could, but I can't do that quietly." It wasn't like either sibling knew the first thing about picking locks.

"Well keep an eye out, and I'll try and get it open" Purple Tigress nodded as Viperion approached the door.

He took out his credit card and slid it into the crack between the door and the frame. A little manoeuvring and the door popped open. "Got it."

The pair entered the office, but nothing looked suspicious at a glance.

–

"Henceforth we shall no longer be using the name "Gabriel. Instead, we will use the name "Agreste" in honour of the family who had nothing to do with his crimes." They'd considered other names but settled on that. "In addition, we pledge a sum of half a million euros to provide therapy for those who have suffered at Gabriel's hand"

The crowd cheered, and Tomoe smiled subtly. It wasn't a relieved smile. It seemed smug as if she'd anticipated that reaction.

Maybe Adrien was paranoid, but it seemed manipulative, at least to him, but he couldn't say anything. It'd only make him look bad.

"People are really buying that? she's clearly just trying to placate them" Felix spoke up more or less, covering Adrien's thoughts.

"It does seem a little extravagant," Kagami half agreed. She didn't believe her mother did this because she actually cares.

"If she was just doing it to be kind, she wouldn't announce it like that. She just wants good publicity." Marinette couldn't help but agree with them, but she still knew the press would accept it.

–

Juleka had gone to check Tomeos computer but found that perhaps unexpectedly it was password protected, that and Juleka didn't know Braille so she couldn't make sense of the keyboard anyway.

"Just take the computer" Viperion advised as he continued looking for a secret switch of some sort. "We don't need the screen or the keyboard, and I'm sure Max can crack a password."

Purple Tigress would duck under the desk to try and find where the computer unplugged all though she paused for a moment, furrowing her brow as she noticed something. "One of these switches isn't connected to anything" She looked back on top of the desk to make sure. And sure enough, one of the switches didn't seem to serve a function.

"Like hiding a tree in the forest" Viperion mused "See what it does."

She would flick the switch, and one of the bookshelves in Tomeos Office would move back and slide out of the way, revealing a secret passage. All though as the pair entered, they couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched.

It was a plain white corridor, not much to see. Eventually, it would lead out into a room with a number of photos scattered on a table. A photo of Ladybug stood next to former Mayor Bourgeois. Using his height to make an estimate of hers 4ft 9.

Purple Tigress looked over a file concerning Lila or Cerise, whatever her name was. "Abandoned as a baby, she's had several Foster mothers, but none of them looked after her for more than a few months."

"Well not to state the obvious, but Tomoe can't see, so she's clearly not alone working on this" Viperion looked at the photo before turning her attention to a list of known miraculous users.

Alya Césaire Aka Rena Rouge, 14 years old, attends Collège Françoise Dupont.

Chloe Bourgeois Aka Queen Bee, 14 years old, attends Collège Françoise Dupont.

Using that as a base, Tomoe and whoever she was working with had figured out Ladybug probably also attended Collège Françoise Dupont.

Luka felt a pit in his stomach as he looked over the document. They were way too close.

From there, they'd found a record of girls who attended the school and narrowed it down to those who knew both Alya and Chloe. Before narrowing it down further by eliminating any girls who didn't match Ladybugs Height.

His worst fears were confirmed as he read the end of the document.

"Ladybug is Marinette Dupain-Cheng chance of error negligible"

"Are they right?" Juleka's voice was quiet as if she didn't want an answer. Of course, she wasn't aware Viperion knew.

"We need to get out of here and warn Marinette!" Viperion turned to leave, coming face to face with an individual who looked to be Akumatized.

Before he had a chance to react, the man trapped the pair of them within a barrier made up of some sort of blue energy.

"Second Chance" Nothing… he remained in place.

"That's not going to work, see I'm the Warden, and I've created the perfect prison to hold you, your powers are useless in there"

–

Marinette, Adrien, Kagami, and Felix continued to look around the Charity even for a short bit. It wasn't really the most exciting thing in the world, but Adrien had found it tremendously helpful to spend some time with Marinette, Kagami, and even Felix in his own way.

They'd helped take his mind off things at the very least. "Sorry I didn't realise how boring this event would be" Adrien sighed as Marinette stared out of the window aimlessly.

"Oh because the Tsurugi family is known for being exciting?" She replied with tongue in cheek. "Kagami is fun, but Tomoe Is as buttoned up as they come"

He laughed softly; he couldn't argue that point. She was always so serious.

"I'm happy to spend time with you, of course, and you need my support." She placed a hand on his shoulder "that said, I came close to falling asleep once or twice, and I'm glad it's over."

Kagami walked them to the door waving off Adrien and Marinette, and then Felix, They pulled up not far from the bakery, and Marinette kissed Adrien on the cheek before waving goodbye. "Guess I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Of course, goodnight Marinette" The limo drove away, and Marinette headed inside, kicking off her shoes before going to head upstairs when she heard a knock at the door.

She would audibly groan, she was tired and wanted to go to bed couldn't this wait till morning?

"Who could that be this late?" She heard her fathers voice ask

"Maybe Marinette forgot her key?" Sabine replied.

"No I'm here, don't worry" Marinette, albeit reluctantly, walked back down and answered the door, her blood running cold when she saw who had knocked.

"Hey there Ladybug" Chrysalis greeted in a venomous tone, placing a hand on the door to prevent her from trying to close it.

"Marinette? Who is it?"

"Dad! Don't come down here right now!" She shouted in a panicked tone.

"Aw, your parents are here? How unfortunate" There was a look in Chrysalis's eyes that terrified her. Almost freezing her to the spot out of fear.

I've had this half written for a long time and just wasn't sure how to continue it. Sorry about that, but it's here now. Maybe it was worth the wait? I don't know that's up to your preference,

I've had the idea of someone figuring out Ladybugs' identity like that and Chrysalis going to Marinettes' house from chapter one, so I hope those moments were... effective? is that the right word?