Veronica's POV
Years had passed, and I was finally back.
The black Casper came to a halt outside the VB Group building. As I stepped out, my Osborne dress moved with practiced elegance, the dark fabric matching my mood. Behind oversized sunglasses, I kept my expression unreadable, cold and distant.
Those years of confusion and anguish were behind me now. I'd found my calm, my control.
My two sons climbed out after me.
Daniel emerged first, his expression as stoic as mine, every inch the young gentleman in his tailored British suit. Brad bounced out next, his sunny smile a stark contrast to his brother's severity, his colorful hoodie making him look like any other carefree kid.
I strode toward the entrance, my heels clicking against the pavement.
"Mommy, Mommy, wait for us!" they called out, hurrying to catch up.
Heads turned as we passed. I caught fragments of whispered conversations.
"Look at that woman—absolutely stunning! And those boys are gorgeous!"
"Must be new child models for VBMC."
Let them think what they wanted. To them, we probably looked like some supermodel with her photogenic children.
The elevator carried us straight to the top floor. When I walked into the CEO's office, Adrian Yannis was already waiting, his face lighting up the moment he saw us.
"Boss, you're finally back!" he said warmly.
"Thanks for keeping everything running, Adrian."
I settled behind the desk and immediately dove into business matters. The outside world had no clue that I was the true power behind VBMC Venture Group. Adrian was simply my front man, managing operations in my name.
"Adrian! I missed you so much!" Brad rushed over, all charm and enthusiasm.
"Brad, it's been too long! I've missed you too, kiddo!"
Adrian scooped Brad up, spinning him around before turning to Daniel with open arms. "Daniel, come here! Let Uncle Adrian give you a hug!"
"Ridiculous," Daniel muttered, crossing his arms and staying put.
"Ouch, rejected," Adrian laughed. "Same DNA, completely different personalities."
While Adrian arranged for someone to entertain the boys, he briefed me on Aurelia City's current landscape.
"Brennan Global Ventures is now under The Bogart Family's control. Your father Caspian chairs the board, with Alonzo Yohan as executive CEO. BGV's shares are spread among various stakeholders."
"Monitor them closely. Buy any shares the moment they hit the market."
My grandfather's company had been stolen from me through my own naive trust. Now I was back to reclaim what was rightfully mine.
"What about Javion? Was he buried properly?"
"Yes, Javion received a proper burial. He's resting in the Aurelia City cemetery now."
I nodded, then asked the question that had been weighing on me. "What's the situation with The Bogart Family?"
"Interesting timing, actually. Liana just got selected by The Nelson Family to marry Leonardo. Some legendary astrologer named Gareth recommended her to Cecile Nelson. The ceremony's today."
"And what did you discover?"
"About your investigation—I found him!"
My pulse quickened. "Tell me everything."
"Your eldest son. I know where he is!"
My heart hammered against my ribs. The child I'd carried, delivered, and been forced to give away—I'd searched for him every single day for years.
"Show me."
Adrian handed over a thick folder.
I read through every page, my emotions threatening to overwhelm the composure I'd built. Finally, I closed the file and stood. "Get the car ready. I'm going to The Bogart Family."
This wasn't just about settling old scores. I was going to find my son.
Years ago, I'd been pregnant with that man's children—quadruplets. The youngest, a daughter, died shortly after birth. I'd kept my word, giving him the eldest son and taking the other two boys with me.
But what had happened to my firstborn in these years? The ache in my chest had never lessened, not for a single day.
The Bogart Family estate loomed before me, more impressive than ever. Caspian's theft of Brennan Global Ventures had elevated him to the top of Aurelia City's emerging power families, transforming him into a genuine business mogul.
Money changed everything. Even their estate had been completely rebuilt, radiating wealth and authority.
Two security guards blocked my path at the gate. "Who are you?"
"Someone you can't afford to cross."
My all-black ensemble and intimidating presence should have been warning enough.
The guards found my response amusing. "This is The Bogart Family property. No unauthorized entry! Move along..."
The sharp crack of bone breaking cut off his words, followed by his scream. "Ahhh... my hand... you broke my hand..."
He dropped to his knees, clutching his shattered wrist. His partner, who'd been laughing seconds before, now stood frozen in shock, unable to process how quickly I'd moved.
Lightning-fast strikes left no room for defense.
"Want to test your luck too?" I lifted my gaze to the second guard, letting him see the lethal intent in my eyes.
"S-someone... help... ah..."
Another swift crack. His leg buckled, sending him crashing to the ground beside his partner.
I looked down at both writhing guards with disgust. "Keep quiet if you want to live."
Terror silenced their cries immediately. The woman before them was death incarnate.
I walked through The Bogart Family gardens toward the main house, my footsteps echoing with purpose.
Liana's sobbing voice drifted from inside. "Mom, I can't marry Leonardo! I won't do it! He's practically a corpse—I'd rather die than marry a living dead man!"
I recognized that whining tone instantly. My replacement daughter, now called Liana Bogart.
The Leonardo she referenced was Leonardo Nelson, the famous CEO of Nelson Enterprises Group. Under his leadership, the company had expanded into finance, real estate, and hospitality, becoming the nation's largest conglomerate.
Unfortunately, this business prodigy had been in a devastating car accident recently, leaving him paralyzed and bedridden with a grim prognosis.
The Nelson Family had combed through every eligible woman in the city before their astrologer selected Liana based on her birth chart.
"I don't want you marrying him either," Whitney's voice carried frustration. "We submitted Veronica's chart, but they chose you instead! The Nelson Family is coming to collect you, and we can't refuse them. We can't afford to make enemies of The Nelson Family!"
"Dad, please find another way! I don't want this! I love Alonzo! I want to be with Alonzo! Can't we send someone else instead?"
"Who else could we possibly send? The Nelson Family will be here any moment!"
"Dad, Mom... please, I'm begging you..."
As Liana's desperate wails filled the air, I spoke up clearly.
"If she won't marry him, I will."
Every head in the room snapped toward me as I stepped into view.
As I moved closer, they could see my face—beautiful but cold, radiating an icy detachment that made the air itself feel frozen.
"Who... who are you?" Caspian asked, studying me with growing unease. Something about me seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Mr. Bogart, how quickly memories fade. Years pass, and you don't recognize your own daughter?"
I walked deeper into the room, my heels striking the floor like a countdown to judgment.
"You... you can't be..." Caspian rose slowly, staring at me in disbelief. I looked different now, but that voice was unmistakable.
It was me. His eldest daughter, Veronica.
He stared at me as if he were seeing a ghost, clearly thinking that I had died in that fire years ago.
Whitney's face went white with terror as recognition dawned. "Caspian, is that really Veronica?"
"Veronica?" Liana whispered in shock.
Veronica had burned to death. How could she suddenly be standing here alive?