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Chapter 5: Old Wounds
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2026-03-11 07:59:47The tension inside Kingsley Group headquarters had only grown since Elena Laurent’s visit.
Executives whispered in hallways. Assistants rushed between offices carrying reports. Every department had the same question: Who exactly was Elena Laurent—and why was she targeting Kingsley Group? Inside his private office, Adrian Kingsley stood by the large glass window overlooking the city. His hands were in his pockets, his expression unreadable as he replayed the events of the last twenty-four hours in his mind. Elena’s calm voice. Her confident posture. The way she had looked at him like a stranger. It didn’t make sense. Three years ago, she had left his life shattered. Now she had returned stronger than ever. A knock interrupted his thoughts. “Come in.” Sophia Bennett walked into the office. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she approached him. She wore an elegant cream dress, but the tightness in her smile revealed her unease. “I saw the news,” she said. Adrian didn’t turn from the window. “Everyone did.” Sophia crossed her arms. “That woman is becoming a problem.” Adrian finally faced her. “You knew she was alive.” Sophia blinked. “What do you mean?” “At the summit,” Adrian said slowly, “you didn’t look surprised when you saw her.” Sophia forced a small laugh. “Anyone would be shocked seeing someone they thought disappeared.” Adrian studied her carefully. “She didn’t disappear.” “She left,” Sophia corrected softly. Adrian’s expression darkened slightly. Sophia walked closer. “Adrian, you divorced her three years ago. Why does it matter now?” For a moment, he didn’t answer. Because the truth was something he hadn’t admitted to anyone—not even himself. Elena’s return had unsettled him. More than he wanted to admit. “She’s attacking my company,” he said finally. Sophia nodded. “Then stop her.” Adrian’s gaze shifted toward the desk. “That’s not as simple as you think.” Sophia frowned. “What do you mean?” He picked up a report and tossed it onto the table. “She’s not just buying random companies. She’s targeting specific parts of my supply chain.” Sophia glanced at the documents. “So she’s smart.” Adrian’s voice lowered. “She’s strategic.” That realization bothered him more than anything else. Elena had never been involved in business before. At least… not when they were married. Sophia stepped closer to him. “Adrian,” she said gently, touching his arm, “you’re overthinking this. She’s probably just trying to get your attention.” He pulled his arm away. “That doesn’t sound like Elena.” Sophia’s smile stiffened. “You think you still know her?” Adrian didn’t answer. Because the truth was… He wasn’t sure he had ever known her at all. --- Across the city, inside the sleek headquarters of Laurent Group, Elena sat at the head of a long conference table. Several executives waited for her instructions. Lucas sat beside her, reviewing a digital tablet. “We completed the media company acquisition this morning,” he said. Elena nodded calmly. “Good.” One of the executives hesitated before speaking. “Miss Laurent… are we sure about the next step?” Elena looked at him. “You mean Kingsley Group?” The man shifted slightly. “Yes.” Lucas glanced at her. “You don’t have to rush this.” Elena leaned back in her chair. Her voice was calm, but firm. “I’m not rushing.” In truth, she had spent three years preparing for this moment. Three years building her company. Three years learning everything she could about the business world Adrian once dominated. Lucas studied his sister carefully. “You saw him yesterday.” Elena’s expression didn’t change. “Yes.” “And?” She closed the file in front of her. “He hasn’t changed.” Lucas sighed quietly. “Does he know?” Elena looked at him. “Know what?” Lucas hesitated. Then his eyes briefly moved toward the photo frame sitting on the edge of her desk. A small boy smiled brightly in the picture. Dark hair. Blue eyes. A face that looked suspiciously familiar. Lucas lowered his voice. “About him.” Elena followed his gaze toward the photo. Her chest tightened slightly. “No,” she said softly. “And he won’t.” Lucas frowned. “He deserves to know he has a son.” Elena’s expression hardened. “He lost that right three years ago.” The room fell silent. The executives exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing. Lucas leaned forward. “Elena… revenge won’t fix the past.” She looked at him calmly. “This isn’t revenge.” Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Then what is it?” Elena stood slowly from her chair. Her heels clicked softly as she walked toward the large window overlooking the city skyline. Far in the distance, the Kingsley Group building stood tall against the horizon. Her eyes rested on it. “For three years,” she said quietly, “I rebuilt my life.” Lucas watched her carefully. “I know.” “I lost my marriage,” Elena continued. Her voice was steady, but there was pain beneath it. “I lost my reputation.” Her hand tightened slightly against the window glass. “But I gained something more important.” Lucas already knew the answer. “Your son.” Elena nodded. “He deserves a future where no one can destroy his mother the way they did.” Lucas leaned back in his chair. “And Adrian?” Elena’s reflection stared back at her in the glass. Her voice was calm again. “Adrian is just part of the past.” But even as she said it, her mind flashed back to the moment their eyes met at the summit. The confusion in his gaze. The disbelief. Elena slowly looked away from the skyline. “Prepare the next acquisition,” she said. Lucas checked his tablet. “The hotel chain?” “Yes.” He nodded. “That company provides luxury accommodations for most of Kingsley Group’s corporate events.” Elena allowed a small smile. “Exactly.” Lucas shook his head slightly. “You really are taking everything.” Elena picked up her briefcase. “No,” she corrected calmly. “I’m just making sure he understands what it feels like…” Her voice softened slightly. “…to lose everything.”
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