Morning arrived with golden light pouring through the windows of the Blake estate. Elena stood before the mirror, fastening the last pearl button on her dress. Her reflection gazed back at her—not meek, not fragile, but steady, sharpened, unyielding.
Today would be different.
Her enemies thought she was the same weak girl from before, easy to ridicule, easy to manipulate. They had no idea who they were facing now.
By the time she stepped out of the mansion, Adrian was already waiting in the car. His expression, as always, was unreadable, but his eyes lingered on her for a second longer than usual before he looked away.
The drive to the Blake Corporation was silent, filled with the low hum of the engine and the unspoken tension between them. Elena folded her hands in her lap, her thoughts racing ahead.
When they arrived, the grand glass towers of the company loomed above them, gleaming beneath the morning sun. Employees bustled in and out of the building, their heads lowering instinctively when they caught sight of Adrian.
Inside, whispers followed Elena's every step.
"Is that Mrs. Blake?"
"She never comes here."
"She looks different… sharper."
Elena ignored them, walking with steady poise beside her husband.
The first confrontation came sooner than she expected.
Naomi White stood near the reception desk, her lips curving into a mock-sweet smile as Elena approached. "Sister," she greeted, her voice laced with honeyed venom. "What a surprise. I didn't think you'd dare show your face here."
In her past life, Elena would have lowered her head, endured the humiliation.
Not this time.
"I wouldn't want to deprive you of the chance to see me," Elena replied smoothly, her tone cutting without raising her voice. "You seem to enjoy staring."
Naomi's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing. Around them, employees paused, shocked at Elena's boldness.
"You've grown a sharp tongue," Naomi said coldly.
Elena tilted her head, her lips curving in a faint smile. "Maybe you've just been too used to hearing your own lies."
The words struck like a blade. Naomi's face stiffened, and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Adrian said nothing, merely observing from the sidelines, his sharp gaze fixed on his wife.
But Naomi wasn't the only viper waiting.
Clara Green, her so-called friend, stepped forward with a laugh that rang too brightly. "Elena, don't be cruel. Naomi is only teasing. You shouldn't take it so seriously."
In her past life, Elena would have clung to Clara's side, believing in her false kindness.
Now, she turned her gaze on her ex-friend and let her smile sharpen. "Don't worry, Clara. I know exactly how seriously to take you."
Clara's expression froze, her composure cracking for just a moment before she laughed again, thinner this time.
The shift didn't go unnoticed. Whispers grew louder among the staff. Something about Elena had changed, and everyone felt it.
For the first time, Elena saw unease flicker in her enemies' eyes.
And in that moment, victory tasted sweet.
Adrian stepped forward then, his presence like a blade slicing through the tension. "That's enough," he said, his tone calm but final. "We're here for business, not gossip."
The crowd dispersed quickly, but Elena caught the faintest curl of amusement at the corner of his lips.
He had seen everything.
And for reasons she couldn't understand, the cold husband she had once feared now seemed faintly intrigued.
Elena lifted her chin, her eyes glinting with silent defiance. This is only the beginning.