Chapter 5

Rihanna POV

The private jet landed at JFK just before midnight.

New York looked exactly the same from above.

There were bright lights,the buildings tall, and endless traffic.

Yet I barely recognized the city anymore.

Two years ago, I had left New York as a broken wife with nothing.

Tonight, I returned as Victoria Taylor.

The woman who owned eighty percent of the Sterling Group's debt.

I stepped off the jet wearing a black suit and leather gloves. Sarah followed behind me, carrying the final documents for tomorrow's meeting.

A black SUV waited near the runway. I climbed inside and looked through the tinted window.

Then I saw the Sterling Group headquarters.

My old workplace, and old nightmare. I stared at the enormous building as we passed.

“I used to spend nights in there,” I said quietly.

Sarah looked at me and asked me “Do you regret it?”

I shook my head, “No.” Then I smiled.

“I regret who I did it for.” Sarah stayed quiet.

She knew better than to interrupt me when I talked about Edrian.

I leaned back.

“Tomorrow, they will learn exactly what my silence cost them.

By seven the next morning, every major financial channel was discussing Taylor Global.

The mysterious company had demanded an emergency meeting with Sterling Group.

Nobody knew who represented Taylor Global.

Everyone wanted answers. I watched the news from my penthouse while drinking coffee.

“Sources say Taylor Global currently controls eighty percent of Sterling Group's debt,” the reporter announced.

I smiled slightly. “Good.” Sarah walked into the room with a tablet. “They're panicking.”

“They should be.”

“The board is already blaming Edrian and Arthur.”

“Of course they are.” I placed my coffee down.

“People always look for someone to blame when money starts disappearing.”

Sarah handed me the tablet. “There is something else.”

“What?” “Edrian asked about you.” My expression didn't change. “What exactly did he ask?”

“He wants to know who the representative is.” I laughed softly.

“He doesn't know.”

“He also asked whether Taylor Global has any connection to Rihanna Taylor.” My fingers stopped moving. For one second, the room became completely silent. Then I smiled. “Tell him Rihanna Taylor is dead.” Sarah nodded. “And if he asks again?”

“Tell him the dead don't attend business meetings.”

Sarah smiled. “Oh, that's cold.” “I learned from the best.”

She looked at me. “Are you nervous?” I looked toward the window, the city stretched beneath me.

“No.” I paused. “I'm angry.”

That was the truth. I had spent two years building myself again. Two years away from my son.

Two years watching Valerie pretend to be his mother.

Two years watching Edrian live comfortably with everything I built. Tomorrow, that ended.

I picked up my black folder.

“Let's go.” At 9:45 a.m., Sterling Group headquarters was surrounded by reporters. Cameras covered the entrance.

Executives rushed inside.

Security guards struggled to control the crowd.

Everyone wanted to see the mysterious representative from Taylor Global. Inside the conference room, Edrian stood beside the windows. His suit looked perfect. His face didn't. He looked exhausted. Arthur sat at the head of the table, gripping his silver-tipped cane.

Valerie sat beside Edrian, wearing a bright red dress.

“This is humiliating,” she complained. Edrian ignored her on purpose. “What if they demand everything?”

Arthur's expression hardened.

“Then we negotiate.” “And if they refuse?” then we find another way.”

The doors suddenly opened, silence filled the room. Then two security officers entered first. Sarah walked inside after.

She stopped beside the door. “Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Victoria Taylor.” I stepped inside. Every head turned. i walked toward the table without rushing.

My heels clicked against the marble floor.

Then I saw him.

Edrian.

My husband. My ex-husband.

The man who had once watched me leave his house in the rain.

His face suddenly lost all color. His eyes widened. He stared at me. “Rihanna?” I stopped. The room became painfully quiet. I raised one eyebrow. “Excuse me?” Edrian took one step forward. “You're Rihanna.”

I smiled faintly and said, “I think you've mistaken me for someone else.”

“No.” His voice shook. “You look exactly like her.” Valerie stood abruptly.

“Edrian, stop this.”

He ignored her. “She died two years ago.” I placed my folder on the table.

“That is unfortunate.” Arthur stared at me suspiciously.

“Who are you?” I looked at him. “Victoria Taylor.” “Taylor?”

“Yes.” His eyes narrowed. “Are you related to the Taylor family?”

I smiled. “Why does that matter?” Arthur didn't answer. I opened my folder. “Let's discuss business.”

I pushed several documents across the table.

“These documents confirm Taylor Global's ownership of eighty percent of Sterling Group's outstanding debt.”

Edrian stared at the papers. “You bought our debt.” “Yes, ” I replied.

“Why?” I looked directly at him.

“Because I wanted to.” Valerie scoffed.

“You think you can just walk in here and take over?”

I turned toward her. “No.”

I smiled softly. “I know I can.” Her face reddened. Edrian looked at me again.

“Why are you doing this?” I leaned back.

“You should ask your father.”

Arthur's expression changed. I noticed.

Good. I continued. “You have forty-eight hours to surrender control of Sterling Group.”

Arthur slammed his cane against the floor.

“You cannot do this!”

“I already did.” “You're threatening us.” “No.”

I calmly closed the folder.

“I'm giving you a choice.” Arthur glared at me. “And if we refuse?”

I stood up. “Then Taylor Global calls in the debt.”

Edrian's eyes widened.

“You would destroy us.” I looked at him and said “You destroyed yourself.”

He froze, Something flickered across his face.

Pain, confusion, maybe even regret.

I turned toward the door. “Wait.” I stopped. Edrian stepped closer. “Have we met before? I slowly turned around. His eyes searched mine.

I could almost see the memories fighting inside his head.

I smiled.

“Maybe you remember someone who looked like me.”

“Who? I held his gaze.

“Someone you threw away.” His breathing stopped.

I walked out before he could say another word.

Sarah followed me into the hallway.

She waited until the doors closed.

“That was brutal.” I chuckled.

“I haven't even started.” We walked toward the elevator, then my phone vibrated.

I looked down at my phone and an unknown number had sent one message.

I know you're alive, Rihanna. My smile disappeared instantly.

Someone knew. Someone had seen through the lie.

But the question is, who?

And how the hell did they find me?