YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND

Rory sank into the plush comfort of her king-sized bed feeling the weight of exhaustion seeping into her body the moment she collapsed onto the sheets. The gala had drained her more than she expected, and she needed a moment to breathe. She closed her eyes, trying to silence the noise of the evening, the laughter, the chatter, the clinking of glasses. But even in the stillness of her room, she couldn’t escape the thoughts that haunted her.

Julian Blackwood.

She hated that his face kept appearing in her mind. The way he had stared at her with those piercing eyes, as though he were already calculating every move. The way he had tried to mask his interest with that confident smirk. His presence had unsettled her in a way she hadn’t anticipated. He hadn’t aged a day in all these years. He still looked the same, young, powerful, and disturbingly attractive.

But no, she couldn’t allow herself to entertain thoughts of him. Not after everything he had taken from her family. Not after the devastation he had caused. The man was a monster, and she wouldn’t allow herself to be distracted by anything other than her mission.

She clenched her fists in anger. No matter how attractive he appeared, she couldn’t let herself be swept away by emotions. Her hatred for him burned too hot. It was the only thing that kept her focused, the only thing that had driven her for years.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

“Miss Rory, breakfast is ready,” Miss Lee’s voice called from outside.

Rory let out a slow breath before getting up from the bed. She wasn’t going to let herself be consumed by thoughts of Julian. She had a plan, and she was going to follow through with it.

The next morning, Rory sat down at the grand dining table, her eyes scanning through the latest stock market updates Miss Lee had brought to her.

“How are things on the market today?” Rory asked, her voice calm but sharp.

Miss Lee, ever attentive, handed over a set of papers detailing the fluctuations in her investments and the patterns emerging in the global stock market. Rory quickly reviewed them, her mind working at full speed. She was already thinking three steps ahead. She had made a fortune in the stock market, but now, she needed to crush her enemies.

"Everything is under control," Miss Lee said, her tone respectful. "The new company acquisitions are looking promising, and the market’s fluctuations are working in your favour. The plan is progressing smoothly."

Rory nodded, but her focus remained unwavering. She needed to break Julian. She needed to slowly bring down everything he had built, brick by brick until his empire crumbled beneath him. She didn’t care how long it took. It was time for him to face the consequences of his treachery.

Later that day, Rory attended a secret meeting with an exclusive organization she had belonged to for years. It was a powerful circle that controlled the ebb and flow of the stock market in New York and, ultimately, in many parts of the world. She was a member of the inner circle, and her influence was undeniable.

In the sleek conference room, the others watched her enter, a mixture of respect and curiosity in their eyes. She took her seat at the head of the table, her presence commanding attention without a single word. The discussions began, but Rory’s mind was elsewhere. She wasn’t here for the usual power games, her purpose was clear. She had a goal. And today, she would make a move that would shift the balance of the market in her favour and against Julian Blackwood.

After the meeting, Rory and Miss Lee headed abroad to oversee other aspects of her vast empire. Her businesses spanned several countries and industries, from tech companies to luxury real estate. Rory made it her mission to oversee every detail. It was clear that no one could stand in her way.

A few days later, Rory returned to New York and walked into the headquarters of Roy’s Palace Group of Companies, a symbol of her success. She was greeted with applause as she entered, her employees lining the hall to welcome her. They looked at her with a mixture of admiration and awe.

Some whispered about her unblemished beauty, others gossiped about her life specifically, the fact that she was still unmarried and without children. They didn’t understand her focus, her single-minded determination. But it didn’t matter. They respected her, and that was all that mattered.

“Miss Rory, welcome!” The CEO of one of her branches greeted her with a formal bow. “It’s an honour to have you here today. The staff and I have been eagerly awaiting your visit.”

Rory nodded curtly. She wasn’t interested in pleasantries. She was here to make her presence felt.

The atmosphere in the office was electric, the hum of productivity filling the air as she made her way to her private office. Everyone parted to make way for her, their eyes lingering on her as she passed. The whispers of admiration grew louder.

“She’s incredible,” one staff member murmured to another.

“I heard she speaks nine languages fluently. And did you see how she handled the investors at the gala?”

“She’s unstoppable. I’ve never seen anyone like her.”

As Rory entered her office, the staff gathered outside, their gazes fixed on her. Some wondered what it was like to be her. Others wondered if they would ever be in her inner circle. But no one dared to question her. Rory had earned every bit of their respect.

“Good morning, Miss Rory,” her assistant greeted her as she entered, handing her the latest updates on the company’s performance.

Rory smiled briefly, then proceeded to go through the reports. She had built an empire, and today, she was going to solidify her position as the undisputed queen of New York.

As she met with investors that afternoon, the respect they showed her was palpable. They listened intently as she spoke, hanging on to every word. Her flawless British accent resonated through the room, each syllable crafted with precision.

“Your company has been a beacon of innovation,” one investor said, admiring her. “We would be honoured to work with you, Miss Rory.”

Another spoke up, his voice filled with admiration. “You’re the queen of England, in more ways than one.”

Rory tilted her head slightly, accepting the compliment with the grace and composure she had perfected over the years. She wasn’t just a woman of beauty, she was a woman of power. She had fought for everything she had, and now, everyone around her knew she was not to be underestimated.

She had already started to make her mark in New York. The whispers and rumours were all part of the plan. Soon, everyone would know her name. She was unstoppable. And not even Julian Blackwood could stand in her way.

As the day came to an end, Rory stood by the window of her office, gazing out over the sprawling city. She could see everything all of New York beneath her. The city that had once been her playground is now the heart of her empire. And she would make sure it stayed that way.

Her gaze hardened as the image of Julian Blackwood flashed in her mind once again. This time, there was no hesitation, no regret. Just a cold steely resolve.

He would pay for what he did to her family. And she would be the one to bring him down.