Chapter 5

Vance Global’s headquarters—now officially under the iron-clad oversight of Blackwood Enterprises—felt like a frozen battlefield. The click of my stiletto heels echoed sharply against the granite floors of the main lobby.

 The staff who once knew me as Elaine Vance, the "missing" heiress, watched me with hushed, fearful whispers. They saw a "ghost" walking with her chin held high, clad in a steel-grey couture power suit that hugged my curves perfectly.

 Alistair had intentionally chosen not to arrive with me this morning.

 "Let the little wolves think you are alone," he had whispered at the breakfast table while fastening his cufflinks. "Show them that even without me by your side, you are the storm."

 I strode into the main boardroom without knocking. Inside, Adrian stood by the massive window, while Sienna sat in the chair that once belonged to my father, nonchalantly polishing her nails. She acted as if she didn't have a single care in the world.

 "Get out of that chair, Miss Montgomery," my voice sliced through the room, calm yet heavy with authority.

 Sienna flinched, nearly dropping her expensive nail polish. Adrian spun around instantly. The dark circles beneath his eyes were proof that he hadn't slept a wink.

 "You... Elara Vane," Adrian spat. He stepped toward me, eyes narrowing as he searched for a crack in the mask of composure I wore. "Or whoever you’re calling yourself today. How dare you walk into my office and bark orders at my fiancée!" His voice was thick with indignation and offense.

 "Technically," I said, placing my handbag on the mahogany table with an elegant flourish, "this office belongs to Blackwood Enterprises for the duration of the audit. And by the mandate of Mr. Alistair Blackwood, I am the highest authority here. So, Miss Montgomery, move now, before I call security to drag you out."

 Sienna stood up, her face flushed with rage. "Adrian! Do you see how this slut is disrespecting me? She thinks just because she’s sleeping with your Daddy, she can play queen in here!"

 I knew Sienna was nothing more than a spoiled brat who couldn't be relied upon; it was only natural that her only defense was to whine.

 Adrian let out a dark, mocking laugh, closing the distance until he stood directly in front of me. He was much shorter than Alistair, and his aura felt pathetically small in comparison.

 "How much is he paying you?" Adrian asked, his tone dripping with contempt. "My Dad might be getting old, but his taste isn't usually this low. How many whimpers did you have to give him in bed before he agreed to bring you to London and pretend you’re some Zurich consultant?"

 I didn't blink. Instead, I took a step forward, staring straight into his hateful eyes. "Mr. Alistair Blackwood values competence—something you clearly lack, Mr. Adrian. If you want to discuss what happens in bed, perhaps we should start with why you were so desperate to dump your fiancée in a forest just to gain access to this company."

 Adrian’s face drained of color for a split second before twisting into a vile smirk. He leaned in, whispering harshly against my ear, "You do look like her. But Elaine wasn't as cheap as you. She was naive and stupid. While you... you're just a temptress using a lonely old man. My Daddy might be blinded by lust right now, but once he’s bored with your body, you’ll end up in the same trash heap as Elaine."

 'The same trash heap.'

 A sharp pang of pain stabbed my chest, but I forged it into ammunition.

 "Is that what you tell yourself so you can sleep at night, Adrian?" I challenged, my voice rising so Sienna could hear. "That I’m just a toy? Suit yourself. But while you’re busy insulting me, I’ve just frozen every personal account linked to Vance Global’s operational funds. That includes the credit card you used to buy Miss Montgomery’s new apartment."

 "What?!" Sienna shrieked, her face a mask of horror. "Adrian, tell her she can't do that!"

 "You cheap bitch!" Adrian exploded. He raised his hand, looking as if he were about to seize my shoulder or perhaps strike me.

 But before his hand could touch me, the boardroom door swung open with a thunderous bang.

 Alistair Blackwood stood there. His overwhelming aura filled the room instantly, making Adrian and Sienna wither in an instant. Alistair wasn't wearing his jacket, just a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, yet he looked more menacing than anyone I had ever seen.

 "Finish that sentence, Adrian," Alistair’s voice sounded like muffled thunder. "Finish that hand movement, and I’ll make sure you never hold a glass again for the rest of your life."

 Alistair walked in, ignoring his son and stepping directly to my side. He slid his hand around my waist in a fiercely protective gesture, drawing me into his embrace.

 "Daddy... she... she froze my accounts!" Adrian complained, his voice now sounding like a child’s whimper.

 Alistair looked at his son with pure loathing. "Miss Vane is doing exactly what I commanded. And I heard you address her with a title that was entirely inappropriate."

 Alistair turned to me, his cold eyes suddenly softening with a flash of dark hunger as they landed on my lips. Right in front of his own flesh and blood and his son's mistress, he kissed my forehead slowly—a mark of absolute ownership.

 "Was he bothering you, sweetheart?" Alistair asked, his voice loud enough to make Adrian clench his fists in shame and jealousy.

 "Just a little yapping from a small dog, Alistair," I replied, offering Adrian a sweet, mocking smile. "Nothing to worry about."

 Alistair gave a low grunt, then fixed his gaze back on Adrian. "Get out of this room. Now. Take your woman with you. If I hear you’ve approached Elara again without my permission, I’ll ship you to the logistics division in Siberia. And that isn't a threat—it’s a promise."

 Adrian and Sienna scrambled out of the room, their faces crimson with humiliation. Once the door clicked shut, I let out the breath I had been holding.

 "You’re very bold," Alistair whispered, turning me to face him fully. His hand gripped my jaw, gentle yet firm. "But I didn't like him standing that close to you."

 "I had to provoke him, Alistair. An angry man is a careless man," I said, though my heart was racing under his gaze.

 "I know," Alistair leaned in, our noses brushing. "But hearing him insult you makes me want to burn this whole city down. You are mine, Elaine. Never forget that, even when we are playing our parts."

 He then kissed me—not a gentle kiss, but one filled with demand and protection, making me realize that even as I was exacting my revenge, I was falling deeper into the arms of the most forbidden man in my life.