006

Elara’s POV

Silence crashed over the hall like a wave.

Kane stared at me as if I had just grown a second head. Chloe’s mouth hung open, the color draining from her face so fast it was almost satisfying. Even the soft background music seemed to fade under the weight of what I had just said.

“You’re lying,” Kane finally managed, his voice cracking. “There’s no way. Horizon Group’s CEO has never shown their face in public. Everyone knows that.”

I tilted my head, letting a small, cold smile curve my lips. “Everyone knew what you wanted them to know. I preferred it that way.”

Grandpa’s low chuckle rolled through the quiet. “Still as dramatic as ever, little star.” He placed a heavy hand on my shoulder, the same hand that used to ruffle my hair when I was a child. “The board has been waiting for you to claim your seat properly. Tonight is as good a night as any.”

Adrian grinned beside me, clearly enjoying every second. “Surprise, brother-in-law. Or should I say ex-brother-in-law? The real power behind those contracts you were so proud of was standing right in front of you the whole time. You just never bothered to look.”

Kane’s face twisted. He tried to stand, but one of Grandpa’s men pressed a firm hand on his shoulder, keeping him on his knees. Chloe clutched his arm like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

“This is impossible,” she whispered. “She’s barren. She’s nobody. She—”

“She is Elara Voss,” Rhett cut in, his voice calm but sharp enough to slice through her words. His arm stayed locked around my waist, steady and unyielding. “And you two are currently kneeling in front of her.”

A few people nearby actually laughed. The sound was quiet, but it carried.

Kane’s eyes locked on mine, pure hatred burning in them now. “You planned this. You used me. Everything—those deals, those connections—you were pulling strings the entire time?”

I met his gaze without flinching. “I gave you everything you asked for. I built the foundation you stood on. And you repaid me by calling me barren, by choosing her, by throwing me away like I was disposable. So yes, Kane. I stopped playing the fool.”

The emcee’s voice suddenly crackled over the speakers, bright and professional, completely unaware of the storm in our corner.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we will now hear a special address from the newly revealed CEO of Horizon Group. Please welcome Miss Elara Voss.”

My stomach dropped. Adrian’s earlier warning crashed back into me. I had no speech prepared. None.

Rhett’s hand squeezed my waist once. “You’ve got this,” he murmured against my ear. “I’ll be right here when you come back.”

Grandpa gave me a small nod of approval. That single look was enough.

I stepped away from Rhett’s warmth and walked toward the stage. Every pair of eyes in the room followed me. Camera flashes popped like tiny explosions. I kept my chin high, the sapphire gown trailing behind me like a statement.

When I reached the podium, I looked out over the sea of faces until I found Kane and Chloe still on their knees, forced to watch. Perfect.

I leaned slightly into the microphone.

“Good evening. Many of you know Horizon Group as a quiet giant. We prefer results over noise. Tonight, however, I decided noise was necessary.”

A soft ripple of laughter moved through the audience.

“For the past four years I lived under a different name and a different role. I allowed myself to become small because I believed love required sacrifice. I was wrong. Love that demands you disappear is not love. It is control.”

I paused, letting the words settle.

“Horizon Group will continue to grow. We will continue to partner with those who share our values. And we will no longer do business with anyone who treats people as disposable tools.”

My eyes found Kane’s one last time.

“Some contracts will be reviewed. Some will be cancelled. Effective immediately.”

The hall erupted in murmurs. I saw Kane’s face go white. Chloe looked like she might actually be sick.

I smiled politely at the crowd. “Thank you for your time. Enjoy the rest of the evening.”

I stepped away from the podium to applause that felt louder than it probably was. Rhett was already waiting at the bottom of the stairs. The second I reached him, his hand found the small of my back again, grounding me.

“You were perfect,” he said quietly.

Before I could answer, Kane finally managed to shove the guard’s hand away and stumble to his feet. He strode toward us, Chloe trailing behind like a shadow.

“You think this is over?” he hissed, stopping just short of Rhett. “You think you can ruin me in one night and walk away?”

Rhett moved half a step forward, placing himself slightly in front of me. “Careful.”

Kane ignored him and locked eyes with me. “I still have the divorce papers. I still have every dirty detail of the last four years. I will drag your name through the mud until no one in this industry wants to touch you.”

I laughed softly. The sound surprised even me.

“Kane,” I said, almost gently, “you signed those papers. You threw me out. You chose her while she was carrying your child. The only name that will be dragged is yours. And when the board finishes reviewing every contract you ever touched, there won’t be much left of your precious company to protect.”

Chloe finally found her voice. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Standing there with his brother like some kind of prize. Does he know you’re still in love with Kane? That this is all just revenge?”

Rhett’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t look away from me. He was waiting to see what I would say.

I turned fully to Chloe, letting every ounce of coldness settle into my expression.

“I stopped loving Kane the moment he called me a sore sight and walked out the door with you. What I feel now is far simpler. I want him to understand exactly what he threw away. And I want you to understand that the crown you thought you stole was never yours to begin with.”

Grandpa’s voice rolled over us from behind. “Security. Escort Mr. Kane and his companion out of the building. Permanently. Any further attempts to approach my granddaughter will be treated as harassment.”

Kane’s face turned purple. “You can’t—”

“I just did,” Grandpa said calmly. “And if you value what little remains of your reputation, you will leave quietly.”

The same two men from earlier stepped forward. This time Kane didn’t resist as strongly. Chloe shot me one last venomous look before she was guided away.

The moment they disappeared through the side doors, the tension in my shoulders finally loosened.

Adrian whistled low. “Well. That was entertaining. You’re going to be all over the gossip columns by morning.”

“Let them write,” I said.

Rhett’s hand slid from my back to my hand, fingers lacing with mine in a quiet claim that felt more real than any contract we had signed.

“Ready to leave?” he asked.

I looked up at him—at the man who had once walked away because I chose his brother, the man who had come back and stood beside me without hesitation.

“Yes,” I answered. “Take me home.”

As we walked out together, cameras flashing and whispers following, I realized something important.

For the first time in four years, I wasn’t running away from my life.

I was walking straight into it.