Chapter 5: The CEO of Phoenix Group.

Elena's POV

Five years later, I stepped off my private jet at JFK, smirking. The freezing New York air hit me like a slap—bringing back all the memories I'd been trying to forget for five years.

"Welcome back, Ms. Huntington." Michael stood by the car, ever the perfect assistant. His eyes scanned me with professional concern. "After such a long flight—"

"I'm fine," I cut him off and slid into the backseat. "Report."

He got in and pulled out his tablet. "Everyone's talking about Phoenix Group's CEO finally making a public appearance."

"And Reginald?"

"Still thinks you're hiding in France." Michael couldn't hide his amusement. "Their investigators were checking every luxury hotel in Paris last week."

Actually, I had originally left the country with a broken heart, planning to pursue Finance. I'd even bought my plane ticket. However, on my way to the airport, I'd encountered members of the Huntington family. They were in New York looking for someone and were convinced that I was the person they sought.

Instead of boarding that flight to France, I had ended up being taken to their family estate in England, where they had helped me conceal my whereabouts.

During my five - year stay with the Huntingtons, I had delved deep into the truth about that fateful Stewart family dinner party. To my shock, I had discovered that I wasn't the Stewarts' biological daughter. This revelation completely transformed me.

So if Reginald thought he could manipulate me or even find me... well, things weren't as simple as they used to be.

I let out a harsh laugh. "Idiots. How's our plan coming along?"

"Richard Vanderbilt's birthday gala is tomorrow night. Every big name in tech and finance will be there." Michael's fingers moved across his tablet. "The invitation arrived this morning."

"Who's it addressed to?"

"'The CEO of Phoenix Group.'" He paused. "No one outside our inner circle knows you're the one behind Phoenix's success. The media's still debating if the mysterious CEO is even male or female."

"Perfect. Let them keep guessing." My fingers traced the fancy invitation. "The Vanderbilts always loved their mysteries. How ironic that they're about to face their biggest one yet."

"Should I confirm we're coming?"

"Of course." My smile grew colder. "What's a party without a surprise guest?"

I closed my eyes, remembering how kind the old man had been during those three hellish years. Richard, Reginald's grandfather, was the only one who saw through my act, the only one who treated me like a real Vanderbilt.

"Ms. Huntington?" Michael's voice snapped me back. "Straight to Phoenix Group?"

"Yes." I checked my watch. "Time to make my grand entrance."

The whispers started the moment I walked into Phoenix Group's gleaming lobby. The front desk staff tried to act normal, but I caught every whispered word.

"Is that her? The actual CEO?"

"I thought no one knew what the boss looked like..."

"She looks so young..."

I smiled to myself as Michael led me to the CEO's private elevator. Let them gossip—the mystery around Phoenix Group's CEO had worked exactly as planned.

From my top floor office, I stared down at Manhattan's skyline through the massive windows. This city had once crushed me. Now it was at my feet.

"Video call for you," Michael handed me the phone and left.

I took it, and the moment the screen lit up, my heart melted.

"Mommy!" Two perfect little faces filled the screen.

"Hi, my loves." My voice instantly softened. "Have you been good for Matilda today?"

"Yes!" Ethan could barely contain his excitement. "I finished coding class early! Teacher says I can join the advanced program!"

"That's my brilliant boy." Pride swelled in my chest.

"And look what I made!" Zoe held up a watercolor painting. "It's the horse great-grandfather let me ride!"

"It's beautiful, sweetheart." My throat tightened. They were growing up so fast, and I was missing everything.

"When are you coming home?" They asked together.

"Soon, my darlings. Mommy just has some important meetings." I pushed down the bitterness. "Are you being good for Matilda?"

"Always!" They chorused, their sweet faces beaming through the screen. The twins, my unexpected miracle, had become my entire world.

Little did anyone know, their father was Reginald. That night of forced intimacy, full of anger and hurt, had not only shattered my heart but also set in motion the most precious part of my life.

Five years ago, I was in a daze when the Huntingtons brought me to England, where everything felt alien to me.

I barely ate, lost in a fog of depression, until the morning sickness started. By the time I confirmed the pregnancy, it was too late for other options.

After saying goodbye, I hit the office intercom to reach Michael. Rage was building in my chest. "Get me an evening gown," I demanded.

"Already on it," he replied.

"Make sure it arrives before the gala." After hanging up, the huge office felt eerily quiet.

I closed my eyes, feeling fury build up inside me. All those years of swallowing my pride, enduring their humiliation—the memories felt like a knife twisting in my gut.

The naive, innocent Elena Stewart was dead and buried. That pathetic woman who bent over backwards to please everyone had been crushed by reality.

A cold smile spread across my face as I gripped the invitation. This gala would be the perfect stage for my comeback. Let them wonder, let them be shocked—none of them would recognize me as the Elena Stewart they used to walk all over.

The need for revenge made my blood boil. This time, everyone who had been cold and cruel to me would pay. Every single one of them.

It was nine when I left the office. Michael parked at the entrence of the Phoenix Group Building, and I sat in the back seat, watching the endless stream of traffic, remembering that night five years ago.

Back then, I was just a despised wife in the Vanderbilt family, a puppet in Reginald's hands. If I hadn't met the Huntington family...

"We're here, Ms. Huntington." Michael's voice pulled me back to reality.

I walked into the Central Park West apartment, took off my heels, and poured myself a glass of wine.

Michael had already delivered tomorrow's gown - a deep blue evening dress hanging quietly in the closet.

I walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, my gaze growing icier.

Five years... all those people who whispered behind my back, who trampled on my dignity... At Richard's birthday gala tomorrow night, I wonder what they'll think when they see what's become of their little 'gold digger'.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated with a text message: [I'll join you at the party tomorrow.]