CHAPTER THREE (ELARA'S POV)

The next few days flew by in a blur. Elara's team helped her get a luxurious estate and an office building back in Los Angeles. She was going to make her return a spectacle.

 As her private jet touched down in Los Angeles old memories began flooding back. She was here to take what was hers and she wouldn't leave without it.

 Her PR team has done a fantastic job in letting the world know: Elara Beckett, Billionaire CEO of Elaris Designs, Returns to Los Angeles to Expand Her Empire.

 She adjusted her sunglasses and blazer then put on her heels getting ready to alight from the jet. “Time to give them a taste of their own medicine.”

 ****

 “Elara?!” Ivy's voice cut through the crowd, sharp and filled with disbelief. It was just as high pitched and annoying as Elara remembered.

 The glass of wine in her hand trembled as her eyes widened watching Elara walk in. Elear held her head up high as she walked in like a queen reclaiming her throne, her crimson gown was a statement in contrast to the black and white theme of the event.

 The fabric clung to her curves making sure to show every detail. She has specially designed the dress for this occasion and it was drawing in attention like she wanted.

 A hush fell over the crowd as heads turned and whispers erupted amongst them but Elara didn't flatter.

 Her gaze locked with Ivy's and a slow, vicious smirk grew in her face. She didn't need to say a word as her presence was enough to throw her stepsister off balance like she wanted.

 “Ivy.” Elara said once she was close enough. Tone laced with feigned surprise. “You look... startled. What? Didn’t expect to ever see me again?”

 Ivy's composed mask cracked as her lips twitched in annoyance. “What are you doing here?” she hissed, her voice low and filled with venom.

 “Oh, you know,” Elara said casually, taking a glass of champagne offered by a passing waiter. “Just catching up with old friends, making money and enjoying the city's elite parties.” She took a slow sip, her eyes never leaving Ivy’s. “It’s been far too long, hasn’t it? Didn't you miss me?”

 Aiden, the ever loyal pawn at Ivy's side, stepped forward. He was dressed in his usual luxurious suit, polished shoes and an equally polished demeanor but Elara caught the flicker of unease in his eyes that he couldn't hide.

 Her smirk widened at this.

 She scanned him once more and couldn't help but wonder how she fell for him back then. He wasn't overly handsome, he was just a plain man dressed in expensive clothes with a dirty ambition which she had failed to see.

 “You’ve been gone for a long time, Elara,” he said, his tone a mixture of barely concealed condensation and unease. “I didn’t think you’d have the courage to come back.”

 Elara smiled sweetly at him and saw something else pass through his eyes as he took in her smile but Elara couldn't decipher it as it was gone quickly.

 “Courage?” She repeated. “It’s not courage, Aiden. It’s strategy— I'm sure you're familiar with this being a cunning man yourself. Trust me, I’ve had plenty of time to perfect mine.”

 Ivy tightened her grip on her glass, Elara was certain that the glass would break if more force was applied. “You’ve certainly... changed,” she said, her eyes narrowing as she scanned Elara from head to toe.

 “Success has a way of doing that, you know.” Elara replied smoothly, she made sure to add enough snarky tone in it to make Ivy's jaw clench.

 The tension between them grew thicker as the air sparked dangerously between them. Elara could feel eyes on them from the crowd as they sensed that this wasn't a casual reunion but something deeper.

 “You may have a new look, Elara,” Ivy said, her tone turning icy, “but don’t forget where you came from. Some things never change.”

 Elara took a threatening step closer to Ivy, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You’re right, Ivy. Some things don’t change. Like the fact that you’ve always underestimated me and hugged the crumbs that I leave behind.” Elara threw a quick glance at Aiden.

 Ivy’s eyes flared with anger, she opened her mouth to respond but before she could Elara turned on her heel, dismissing her with a flick of her hair. 

 She walked through the crowd with grace, as walked away like she owned the room, leaving Ivy and Aiden to their discomfort at her return.

 At the bar, her best friend Lila Morgan was waiting in her shimmery midnight blue dress. She raised a brow as Elara approached, she was here for moral support.

 “Well, that was a show,” she said, handing Elara a new glass of champagne as she set down her old one.

 Elara smirked, taking the drink from her. “Ivy needed to know that I’m not the same girl she chased out of the city.”

 “She looked like she’d seen a ghost,” Lila said with a grin. “And Aiden? He couldn’t even look you in the eye.”

 “Good,” Elara said, her voice firm. “They need to know I’m not here to play nice. This is war.”

 “Elara Beckett.”

 A deep, velvety voice said from behind her. She saw Lila's eyes widened so she turned to see who was behind her. Her breath hit her as her eyes landed on the man, his black tailored suit clung to his tall, lean muscular body nicely. His jet black hair was slightly tousled, his jaw sharp enough to cut glass and his stormy grey eyes burned into her with such high intensity that butterflies erupted in her stomach.

 She has only heard his name whispered in hushed tones at social gatherings as his reputation precedes him. He was a ruthless billionaire tycoon who was widely known for his cold and calculated demeanour and relentless pursuit for success. He was a man who always got what he wanted.

 The man was…

 Killian Hayes.