CHAPTER 1: THE BILLIONAIRE RETURNS.

The Grand Regent hotel was bustling with life. Ava Sinclair stood in the ballroom with satisfaction written boldly over her forehead. It was one of the happiest moments of her life. Her engagement party was in full swing.

A massive chandelier cast a glow over the many people seated at different tables.

The party was for high-class people of the society. Top business moguls. Influential politicians. Celebrities. The most important thing was that they had all come to cheer for her tonight.

She smiled broadly when she saw the love of her life, Ryan Bennett, walking towards her. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

“You look nervous,” he said in a low whisper into her ears.

She laughed softly and looked up at him. “Of course, I am. The entire city is looking at us right now."

He smirked. “Not just the entire city. The world is watching us."

Ava breathed heavily for a moment and chuckled. "You seem very relaxed. Aren't you nervous at all?”

His gaze softened and his lips parted in a cute smile. Then, he said, “No, I'm not. I'm getting married to the woman I love. Let the world stare all they want.”

Ava's heart melted completely. He smiled at him. Everything in her life was aligning to perfection. Her father's logistics company that he has been grinding over for thirty years was doing solidly well. She had a man who loved her so dearly. Her family was healthy too. Without a doubt, her future was bright.

The master of ceremonies stepped up to the microphone while tapping a spoon on his champagne bottle.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?" He asked.

The chatter in the room died out immediately. The lights dimmed completely and a spotlight appeared over the soon-to-be couple. The crowd erupted with applause.

Flowing with the moment, Ryan lifted Ava's right hand and caressed it gently before planting a warm kiss over her knuckles. Her skin was flushed for a moment. The photographers flashed their lights from every corner of the room, capturing the display of affection.

However, in that instant, the double doors of the ballroom swung open completely.

The heavy doors hit the adjacent walls with a low thud, driving in cold air through the warmth of the romantic atmosphere.

The applause died completely. Heavy slence followed immediately. The atmosphere had changed. Every head in the room turned to the direction of the doors. Ava frowned. Ryan's arm became slightly rigid in the midst of the confusion.

Who was that?

A full man stepped into the room. He was wearing a perfectly tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and intimidating height. His dark was brushed completely backwards, bringing out his symmetrical jawline. It looked like it had been carved straight from the marble.

For a moment, the only sound that could be heard came from his leather shoes hitting the floor. He marched like someone who owned the whole world with everyone in it.

“...oh my goodness."

“Is that him? It can't be."

“Is that really him? After all these tears.”

Murmurs came as people parted ways for him to pass. His expression remained calm but dangerous. He marched to the center of the chandelier and stopped with his gaze scanning the perimeter. It finally landed on someone. Not Ava. Not Ryan. It was Charles Sinclair.

“Damian Blackwood," a businessman near the front, finally uttered the name.

The name hit Ava's heart like a tornado. Backwood? As in, the Blackwoods. She looked at her father, Charles Sinclair. The man was completely flushed where he was sitting.

Something was completely wrong. Why was Damian Blackwood at her engagement party?

Fifteen years ago, Blackwood industries had collapsed overnight. It was tangled up in one of the most vicious financial scandals in the city. The founder, Richard Blackwood, had lost everything— his fortune, his company and his reputation. A few months later, he was found dead in his apartment. The police ruled it as suicide. But there were rumors that claimed otherwise.

His only son had disappeared following the event. No one heard anything from or about him…..until tonight.

Damian's gaze moved to Ava. For a plot second, their eyes locked. Then, he returned it back to her father.

“Damian." Charles Sinclair approached with visibly trembling hands.

“Mr. Sinclair.” Damian's voice was stern and not welcoming.

Charles giggled. It was a frail attempt at hospitality. “It's been quite a long time."

Damian was not moved. His expression remained cold. “Not long enough."

Ava sensed the tension. She quickly scurried to her father's side. Ryan followed immediately.

Damian looked at her, then at Ryan. A wry smile escaped through the corners of his lips.

“Is this the grand engagement party?” He asked.

"Yes,” Ryan responded even Ava could think.

But Damian didn't pay attention to him. He stared down at Ava. It felt like she was being weighed by him.

“Congratulations," he said finally. It sounded like a threat.

"Thank you," Ava replied. She forced herself to maintain eye contact.

Damian grabbed a champagne glass from the waiter passing by. Then, he lifted it slowly between him and Charles.

The crowd watched every detail of the show.

“To new beginnings,” he said smoothly and took a sip from the glass.

The tension in the room disappeared for a moment. Perhaps, there was no problem. Just old acquaintances getting along again.

Then, all of a sudden, Damian's look locked in on Charlie's. He gnashed his teeth and said, “Enjoy your celebration while it lasts, Mr. Sinclair.”

The tension returned. Damian's eyes had a very vengeful look in them. Ava watched the despair all over her father.

Damian continued. “Because by this time next month,” he took another sip, "you will have lost everything you value.”

Ava stared at him in horror. The entire room stared blankly at the ghost who had returned from the dead.

Damian swirled the glass a bit and casually drank the content… .as if he hadn't just declared war.