The Zenith Records studio was finally quiet. The lawyers were gone, the stock market had settled, and the immediate crisis was over. The Aether team, utterly drained from forty-eight hours of corporate battle, had finally gone home to rest.
Jax Ryland, exhausted and emotionally raw from the hack, went straight to his penthouse. He did not check emails or listen to music. He simply collapsed onto his massive, custom-made bed and, after staring at the ceiling, the sheer weight of his adrenaline crash dragged him into a deep, necessary sleep. He needed the rest, but even unconscious, the faint sound of a ten-second piano clip echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of the unseen enemy who had invaded his deepest fears.
Meanwhile, a few blocks away, Nick Aliyev, the youngest and most charming Aether member, was preparing for his own secret mission. He was dressed in a dark baseball cap and a simple, stylish black jacket—an attempt to look invisible, which was difficult when you were six feet tall and recognized by millions. He knew he had to be careful of the paparazzi, who were always looking for any sign of Aether after the recent corporate scandal. A photo of him outside the Vance Global offices would ruin the plan.
Nick thought: I have to be fast. Celebrity life means zero privacy, especially now. I need to be charming, funny, and completely harmless. This is going to be so much fun.
He slipped out of his apartment complex, taking the secure underground parking garage. He drove a modest black car, choosing it specifically because it was less flashy than his usual sports vehicle.
Nick found his target exactly where Elias Vance's corporate driver had suggested: a small, high-end café near the Vance Global headquarters. Lisa Jenkins, Elias Vance's executive secretary, was sitting alone, sipping a latte and scrolling through her phone.
Nick parked down the block and moved quickly. He saw the familiar flash of light from a nearby alley—a paparazzo with a long lens already aiming. He sped up, slipped into the café, and walked straight toward Lisa's table.
Lisa, a smartly dressed woman in her late twenties, looked up, startled by the sudden presence of a tall, dark figure. Then, her eyes widened as she recognized the handsome face beneath the cap.
"Oh my God," Lisa whispered, covering her mouth with her hand. You are—you are Nick Aliyev! From Aether! I cannot believe this!
Nick grinned, giving her his most effective, charming, funny grin. He pulled out a chair without asking and sat down, leaning conspiratorially.
"Hey, Lisa, right?" Nick said, his voice low and warm. Yeah, that's me. I am actually supposed to be sleeping, but the life of a celebrity shareholder is never quiet. You know how it is. Nonstop drama, non-stop demands.
Lisa was completely giddy, her face flushed with excitement. Lisa thought: This is unbelievable! He is sitting right here! He is even cuter in real life.
"I—I am Lisa. I am a massive fan! I have tickets for the postponed Eclipse tour! I mean, I hope it is not permanently postponed. We were all so worried about the press release and the stock drop.
"Just a little corporate drama, Lisa," Nick dismissed with a wave of his hand. All fixed now, thanks to the grown-ups. Look, I am actually on a secret mission. Don't tell anyone, okay? This is just between us, the band and our biggest fan.
Lisa leaned in, her eyes shining with excitement. I promise! What is it?
"I am helping Jax Ryland," Nick confided, making his eyes wide with mock seriousness. He is stressed about all the new people in the company. Specifically, Ms. Aria Thorne. She is the new, mysterious shareholder, right? She is so quiet. Jax is worried she is going to fire all the good people because she doesn't know how the music business works.
Lisa laughed nervously. Oh, Ms. Thorne. Yes. She is Mr. Vance's sister. She is very... formal. We do not see her much. She is never really here. She only shows up for the big meetings, like the Zenith one. She is like a beautiful sculpture in the boardroom.
"Right, the big meetings," Nick prompted gently. Where does she even live? Does she come in from overseas? She just appeared out of nowhere, right? Does she even like music?
Lisa shook her head, glad to share any information she had about her idol's problem. Honestly? We have no idea where she lives. She doesn't have a corporate office here. She just shows up in a black car and is gone again. She is like a ghost. She never talks about her past or her interests. She only talks to Mr. Vance. I think she is really private because of her kidnapping a long time ago. That is what people whisper. It was a big, tragic event.
Nick seized on the information. Kidnapping? Wow, that's rough. So is she really just a private shareholder, avoiding the media? She is not like, a secret CEO of another company or something powerful?
"Oh, definitely not!" Lisa insisted, laughing at the idea. Lisa thought Mr. Vance was already powerful. Why would his sister need another company? She only cares about the Zenith acquisition because it affects her brother's standing on the board. She does not know anything about the day to day. She does not even know the names of half the team. She's just the sister, making sure her brother's deal goes smoothly. That is it. She is really private because of her trauma.
Nick smiled, his mind putting the pieces together. Lisa, who worked closest to Elias, confirmed that Aria was purely a formal, private, and emotionally distant shareholder, protecting her brother's corporate standing. She knew nothing about Aria's real, dangerous life. Aria's cover was flawless.
"You have been a lifesaver, Lisa," Nick said, standing up. He smoothly pulled a small, expensive Aether signed vinyl record from his backpack. This is just for you. Secret mission reward. Do not tell anyone you saw me, okay? Top secret. I am a celebrity, so keeping this quiet is part of the game.
Lisa gasped, hugging the record to her chest. Oh, Nick! Thank you! I promise! I will not tell a soul! You are the best!
Nick winked, his mission successful, and slipped back out, carefully avoiding the paparazzi waiting outside.
Across town, Aria was preparing for the ultimate corporate performance: a major company business dinner hosted by Elias Vance. The event was held at a private, exclusive club, necessary for maintaining their public image of high level corporate stability, which Jax had so successfully disrupted.
Aria's past weighed heavily on her as she dressed. She thought of her mother, who was thrown out of the house because she was pregnant outside of marriage. Her wealthy father, forced to marry another woman to inherit his parents' company, had walked away, believing her mother had taken a bribe. Aria's mother struggled alone, with no inheritance or support, and later died from sickness when Aria was ten. Aria then went to an orphanage, where she met Elias.
Aria's father, realizing his mistake years later, eventually found her when she was sixteen. He took her home, but she entered a new nightmare. Victoria Thorne, the woman her father was forced to marry, and her spoiled daughter Chloe, treated Aria terribly, seeing her as a painful reminder of her father's past mistake. They eventually set up the kidnapping that left Aria stranded in a forest, forcing her into a life of survival that made her the highly trained soldier she was today.
She was returning tonight to face the two people who had destroyed her childhood. Her revenge plan to take over her father's company, of which Victoria and Chloe were now shareholders, was now in motion. Her elegance was a mask for her fury. She was planning to launch her own successful design company later, but the corporate takeover of the Thorne company was first.
Aria thought: They tried to kill the weak girl. They will not touch the woman who survived the war. My corporate cover is the most important weapon tonight. I will make them pay for every tear my mother shed.
Elias arrived at her apartment. He was also an orphan, just like Aria. He looked every bit the powerful CEO, but when he looked at Aria, his eyes were gentle and filled with care. He was her true brother, her family.
"You look like a queen ready for war," Elias said softly. Aria was stunning; her beauty was sharp, defined by her intense focus, with long, dark hair styled in an elegant updo. She wore a designer dress, but underneath, she was all lean muscle and scars. Remember the objective. This is a business dinner with major corporate partners. You are the passive investor, the quiet Thorne daughter who has returned to claim her place.
"I remember, Elias," Aria replied. But they are not just noisy. They are toxic. We must maintain the perfect formality for the sake of our goal.
"Of course," Elias agreed, his face hardening as he mentioned Victoria and Chloe. He had no warmth for them; his polite manners were purely a shield for their corporate strategy. They are necessary shareholders, but nothing more. We will smile and charm the other partners, and we will watch them.
Aria and Elias arrived at the private club. The room was filled with about twenty guests: major shareholders, potential partners, and the necessary, but unwelcome, presence of Victoria Thorne and Chloe Thorne, present because of their large shares in Vance Global ventures and their connection to Aria's father's money.
Elias walked into the room first, his presence commanding silence. He went to the main table and addressed the most senior corporate guests present.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Elias said, his voice powerful and clear. "Thank you for joining us tonight to discuss the future of Vance Global's strategic partnerships."
Then, he turned to Victoria and Chloe, his face cold but perfectly polite.
"Victoria, Chloe," Elias greeted them, his tone professional and distant. Thank you for representing your interests tonight. It is always a pleasure.
His formality toward them was sharp, emphasizing their role as business partners, not family. Aria then walked into the room, silent and elegant in her blood-red gown.
Victoria Thorne was talking with a corporate lawyer. She stopped instantly, her eyes wide. The color drained from her face beneath her heavy makeup. Her eyes were filled, not with shock at her beauty, but with raw, guilty terror. She had spent years believing the dark secret of her role in the kidnapping was safe.
Chloe, standing beside her stepmother, stopped adjusting her pearl necklace. Her jaw dropped, and she looked from Aria to Elias, a deep, fearful confusion washing over her face.
"You," Victoria whispered, the sound rough and choked. She looked at Aria as if she were seeing a figure from a nightmare. It is not possible. You were gone.
"Aria?" Chloe stammered, her voice shaking. You were—you were dead. The reports—the police said—you were never found.
The silence was absolute among the four of them, a heavyweight pressing down. Victoria's face was twisted, not with sadness or joy, but with the desperation of a secret exposed.
Aria did not move. She stood perfectly still, her beautiful eyes cold and unwavering as she stared at the two women. She allowed them to experience the full, devastating reality of her return.
Elias quickly stepped slightly forward, his voice smoothly cutting through the tension, ensuring the other business guests heard him.
"Victoria, Chloe, please," Elias said, his tone polite but firm. There has been a misunderstanding. This is Aria Vance, my sister. She has been living privately overseas for many years after her traumatic experience, under an assumed identity to protect her safety. She has recently returned to take on a more active role in the company, including her shareholding in Vance Global.
Aria finally spoke, her voice cool, measured, and formal. It held no warmth, no sign of the angry, wounded girl they had tried to destroy.
"Good evening, Victoria. Chloe, Aria said, nodding once. It is good to see you. I look forward to working with you both, as we are now joint shareholders in the same venture. We are committed to the future of this company.
The statement was a clear assertion of power. She was not just back; she was back with money, protection, and a position that forced them to interact with her. Victoria's initial terror was slowly replaced by a look of sheer hatred and desperation.
"Elias," Victoria managed, her voice steadier now, laced with venom. You should have told us! To bring her back without warning... it cruel. You know what she went through.
"I apologize, Victoria," Elias replied, offering a false, elegant smile. Aria is a highly private person, as you know. She makes her own decisions now. And she is very committed to the stability of Vance Global. Especially with the Zenith acquisition running into those issues with Jax Ryland. We all need to be focused on business tonight.
He had smoothly pivoted the conversation back to business, back to the safe, public topic. Aria knew her mission here was accomplished. She had delivered the shock. She had asserted her new, untouchable identity.
She took her seat at the dinner table. The business dinner began, stiff and silent, filled with unspoken accusations and chilling tension that only she, Victoria, and Chloe truly understood. Aria looked across the table, knowing the war was far from over, both against her past and against the handsome, infuriating musician who had dared to break into her life.
Jax Ryland, you are next. The takeover and my fashion company are waiting. The game has just begun.