The sleek private jet touched down on the runway. Inside, a woman with dark copper hair and sharp green eyes closed her laptop. Unlike the frightened girl who'd fled three years ago, this woman radiated confidence and power.
"Welcome to New York, Ms. Santos," the flight attendant said.
"Thank you." Her voice was different too—slightly deeper, with a hint of an accent that hadn't existed before.
Elena Santos—once Selena Carter—stepped off the plane into the bright spring sunshine. She slipped on designer sunglasses, hiding eyes that had seen too much.
Three years had transformed her. Not just the subtle facial surgery that had sharpened her cheekbones and softened her nose, but the hardness inside her. Singapore had been her forge, turning grief into determination, pain into purpose.
Frank's cousin had given her more than just a job. He'd introduced her to people who could help remake her completely. Bankers who knew how to hide money. Security experts who taught her how to protect herself. Business mentors who showed her how to build wealth from nothing.
Now she was back, with a new face, a new name, and $50 million of her own money.
Her driver opened the car door. "Where to, Ms. Santos?"
"The Archer Hotel," Elena replied, gazing out at the city skyline. Her city. The one they'd stolen from her.
The Archer Hotel's penthouse suite offered a perfect view of the Carter Tower—her family's headquarters, now run by Vivian. Elena stood at the window, watching it like a hawk eyeing prey.
Her phone buzzed. A text from Mia: Dinner at 8. So excited to see you!
Mia Clarke was the only person from her old life who knew the truth. Elena had contacted her six months ago, after making sure she could be trusted. The reunion had been tearful but necessary. Mia was her eyes and ears, gathering information Elena couldn't access.
At exactly 8 PM, Elena entered a private dining room at an exclusive restaurant. Mia jumped up from her chair, rushing to hug her.
"I still can't believe it's you," Mia whispered, pulling back to study Elena's face. "The surgery was amazing."
"No one would recognize me now," Elena said with satisfaction. "How are the wolves?"
Mia's expression darkened as she pulled out a tablet. "Thriving, unfortunately. Vivian runs the company like a tyrant. Jade's engaged to some European count, flaunting her money all over Instagram."
"And Noah?" Even saying his name made Elena's stomach clench.
"Chief Financial Officer now," Mia said, sliding over the tablet. "He and Jade broke up a year after your 'death.' He's dating some model now."
Elena scrolled through the photos Mia had collected—Vivian at charity galas, Jade shopping on vacation, Noah in business meetings. Once, these images would have crushed her. Now they only fueled her resolve.
"They look so... normal," Elena murmured. "Like they didn't murder someone."
"That's what money and power buy you," Mia replied bitterly. "What's your plan?"
Elena smiled thinly. "First, I need more information. Then, I make my move."
She pulled out her own tablet, showing Mia a photo of a tall, dark-haired man with sharp features.
"Rafael Sinclair?" Mia's eyebrows shot up. "He's dangerous, Elena. He's been buying up Carter assets left and right. Rumor is he hates your family."
"Exactly," Elena said. "The enemy of my enemy..."
"...Could still be your enemy," Mia warned.
"Or my perfect weapon," Elena countered. "I've arranged a meeting with him tomorrow. He doesn't know who I really am, of course."
Mia looked worried. "Be careful. Sinclair destroys people for breakfast."
Elena's smile turned cold. "So do I, now."
The Sinclair Group headquarters loomed over the financial district—a tower of black glass and steel. Elena adjusted her tailored suit as the elevator climbed to the top floor.
Her research on Rafael Sinclair had been extensive. Thirty-eight years old. Self-made billionaire. Cold, calculating, and rumored to have a personal vendetta against several old-money families, including the Carters. No one knew why.
The elevator doors opened to reveal a minimalist reception area. A sleek-looking assistant looked up.
"Ms. Santos? Mr. Sinclair is expecting you."
Elena was led through double doors into a vast office. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city below. Behind a glass desk sat the man whose face she'd studied for three years.
In person, Rafael Sinclair was even more intimidating. Tall, with shoulders that filled out his custom suit perfectly. Black hair with hints of silver at the temples. Cold, assessing eyes that seemed to strip away pretense.
"Ms. Santos." His voice was deep, with a faint accent she couldn't place. He didn't stand or offer his hand. "You have twenty minutes to convince me why I should be interested in your proposal."
Elena didn't flinch. She'd faced worse than arrogant men. "I'll need only fifteen, Mr. Sinclair."
She opened her briefcase and placed a folder before him. "I represent a group of investors interested in acquiring the Carter Group's renewable energy division."
Rafael's eyebrow arched slightly. "That division isn't for sale."
"Everything is for sale," Elena replied smoothly. "You've been systematically acquiring Carter assets for three years. This would be the next logical step."
"And why would I need your help?"
Elena leaned forward. "Because my investors have access to something you don't—proof that Vivian Carter has been falsifying financial reports to shareholders. Enough to trigger an SEC investigation that would tank their stock price."
Rafael's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes. Interest? Surprise?
"And how did you come by this information, Ms. Santos?"
"That's not relevant," she replied. "What matters is that together, we could acquire the division at a fraction of its value."
Rafael opened the folder, scanning the documents inside. Elena watched his face, looking for any reaction. His poker face was impressive.
"These numbers... they're accurate?"
"Every single one," Elena confirmed.
Rafael closed the folder and studied her face. For a moment, she worried he might see through her disguise. See the ghost of Selena Carter looking back at him.
"Why the Carters?" he asked suddenly. "There are dozens of companies ripe for acquisition. Why them specifically?"
Elena had prepared for this question. "Let's just say I have personal reasons."
"Personal reasons rarely lead to good business decisions," Rafael said coldly.
"Unless the personal becomes profitable," Elena countered.
Rafael's lips curved slightly—not quite a smile. "Twenty percent."
"Excuse me?"
"My company gets eighty percent of the acquisition, your investors get twenty. That's my offer."
"Sixty-forty," Elena shot back.
"Seventy-thirty, and you'll work with my team directly. No middlemen."
Elena pretended to consider this. In truth, the percentages meant nothing to her. What mattered was getting close to Rafael—and through him, to the Carters.
"Deal," she said finally. "When do we start?"
Rafael pressed a button on his desk. "Ms. Lee, clear my schedule for lunch. Ms. Santos and I have business to discuss."
The assistant's voice came through the speaker. "Sir, you have a meeting with Mrs. Carter at one o'clock."
Elena's heart jumped at the name. Rafael's eyes never left her face.
"Perfect timing," he said. "Ms. Santos will join us for that meeting as well."
Elena kept her expression neutral, but inside, panic flared. Meet Vivian? So soon? She wasn't ready.
"Is there a problem?" Rafael asked, noticing her hesitation.
Elena forced a smile. "Not at all. I look forward to meeting Mrs. Carter."
"Good," Rafael said, standing. "Because I want to see her face when we tell her what's coming."
As they walked to the elevator together, Elena tried to calm her racing heart. This was happening too fast. Seeing Vivian now could ruin everything.
In the elevator, Rafael studied her profile. "Have we met before, Ms. Santos? You seem... familiar."
Elena turned to him, her mask firmly in place. "I doubt it. I would remember meeting someone like you, Mr. Sinclair."
The elevator doors closed, taking them down to the restaurant where Vivian—the woman who had tried to kill her—would be waiting.
And Elena realized her carefully laid plans were about to change dramatically.