years

he tarmac. Rain drizzled against the massive floor-to-ceiling glass windows, mirroring the memory of a storm from half a decade ago. But t

n, elegant frame. Her long, dark hair fell in flawless, glossy waves over her shoulders, and her face-once soft and easily readable-was now a mask of striking, ar

dicate, an international investment powerhouse she had built from the ashes of her fa

am

through the private lounge. She turned around, a warm, radiant smile transfor

miracles. Her absolute

, clutching a plush bear tightly to her chest. As they reached her, Elena dropped to her knees, opening her arms wide to cat

d softly, kissing the tops of their heads.

ings today!" Ava squeaked, her wide, ex

and her determination, but Leo... Leo was a carbon copy of his father. He possessed the exact same sharp jawline, the same commanding

nstead, the Vance legacy was now entirely in Elena's ha

of hair from Ava's forehead. "We are going to a very big ci

little chest puffing out right on cue. Even at his young

less fire behind her sunglasses. "Yes,

ached, bowing his head respectfully. It was Marcus, E

ew York has already finalized your arrival details. The media is entirely unaware of your landing, just as you requested. However, rumor

nished, replaced instantly by the freezing, calculated demeanor of a global mogul. "Good

. "Vance Enterprises is hosting the event to celebrate their new tech me

eins. Cynthia Ross, the mistress who had moved into her home the very next morning. The woman who had taken her place while s

me for New York to realize that the Montgomery name wasn't

s of the private jet. As the powerful engines roared to life and the aircraft lifte

market, and built an empire that could rival Vance Enterprises. She had suffered through a high-risk pregnan

htening around her champagne glass. *Because the wife you threw

*

stal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceilings, casting a dazzling glow over the elite crowd of billionaires, pol

y a crowd of eager investors and high-p

erfectly. But his face was completely devoid of joy. His emerald-green eyes scanned the room with a sharp, predatory boredom. Over the past five years, Ethan

cameras of the paparazzi. To the public, she was the future Mrs. Vance. But to those inside Ethan's inner circle, they knew the truth-five years late

anding his empire. But deep down, in the darkest,

re in her eyes, promising his ruin. He had expected her to beg, to crawl back, or to use the minimal settlement money. Instead, she had vanished off the face of the earth. She hadn

pulling on his arm to get his attention. "The mayor is asking

ion. He checked his watch, his impatience growing. "Where is the representative from Montgomery Global? T

tling ballroom, starting from the grand entrance doors and moving inward like a

ely putting him on high alert. He turned hi

And stepping into the room was a woman who caused the entire

as E

and bold, the dress exposed her smooth, flawless skin. Around her neck was a multi-million dollar diamond choker that caught the light with every step she took. She didn't look

erupted through the

.. no, it

ntgomery's daughter?

she looks incredibly w

s turning stark white. His emerald eyes widened in absolute, unadulterated shock.

le

innocent, adoring eyes. But this woman... this woman walked with a terrifying, supreme confidence. Her head was held hig

turning pale as a sheet. "Elena?! How... h

who parted for her like the Red Sea. She knew exactly where Ethan was standing. She could feel his burnin

e bar, smoothly accepting a gl

onto a passing waiter's tray, and marched directly across the ballroom, his large frame cutting through the crowd like a knife. His eye

p voice booming softly as he stop

sh. She slowly turned around, her midnight-black dress swirling around her ankles

pan. Not a single trace of love, f

professional. She tilted her head slightly, looking at him as i

absolute coldness in her tone infuriated him, sending a spike of raw ad

to use his massive height to intimidate her just like he used to. "Where h

reach her icy eyes. She leaned back against th

oward him. "I should have recognized you from the corporate magazines. Allow me to pro

at her, his mind struggling to proce

ssional. "Mr. Vance, please mind your distance. You are speaking to the primary shareholder of your ne

out on the back of his neck. The naive girl he had stripped of every asset had retur

e! Ethan, she's a fraud! Her father is a criminal, she has nothing! She probably sle

tely silent, waiting for Elena'

nstead, a slow, mocking smile spread across her lips. She took a step toward Cynthia,

rs, and you are still loud, insecure, and remarkably unrefined. I see Ethan still hasn't p

hed a deep, humilia

llion questions burning in his soul. He wanted to drag her out of this crowded room, lock her in a private space, and force her to tell

," Ethan growled, reaching out h

Marcus and another massive security guard steppe

time is far too expensive for private chats, Mr. Vance. If you wish to discuss our upcoming business merg

s to a group of high-profile international i

ulder, her voice an icy promise of war. "Enjoy the party. Becau

e elite crowd immediately rushed to swarm around her, des

tightly his palms bled. His eyes followed her every move, consumed by a chaotic st

d returned. And this time, she