The company business dinner was finally finished.
Aria Thorne and Elias Vance were the last to leave the exclusive private club. Victoria Thorne and Chloe Thorne, Aria's stepmother and stepsister, had fled early, their faces white with shock. They had come to the dinner as powerful shareholders in Vance Global ventures; they're left knowing that the girl they thought they had successfully gotten rid of was back not as a victim, but as a dangerous, beautiful force.
Aria sat in the back of the black sedan, the vibrant red designer gown flowing around her. The dress highlighted her striking beauty, her long, dark hair tied up, revealing her high cheekbones and intense, focused eyes. Underneath the expensive fabric, she felt the familiar hardness of muscle and scars, the true reality of her life.
Elias, sitting beside her, was quiet. He reached out and gently squeezed her hand, a rare gesture of comfort between the two orphans who had grown up as brother and sister.
"You handled that perfectly, Aria," Elias said, his voice dropping the powerful CEO tone. He was gentle and protective when he spoke to her. They were terrified. Victoria's face... that was better than any legal threat. They know you are not just back; you are a huge problem they must deal with.
Aria looked out at the passing city lights. They deserve every second of that fear, Elias. They tried to leave me for dead in that forest. They tried to erase me to keep a secret. Now, they must look at the consequences of their evil plan.
"And now, we move to the next stage of the plan," Elias reminded her, his gaze sharp. The Zenith acquisition stabilized your corporate cover completely. Now, we focus on the Thorne Company takeover. They believe you are a passive investor, traumatized and withdrawn. We will use that assumption to dismantle them piece by piece.
"I am ready," Aria confirmed. I want to focus on my true passion, the fashion company, but I need the Thorne Company's assets to launch it globally and with the power it deserves. We use his money to build my empire, and we take everything from Victoria and Chloe.
Elias nodded, his expression darkening slightly. He respected her power, but a subtle jealousy always surfaced when she spoke of her personal ambition. He wanted her safe and close, dependent on him.
"I know you will succeed," Elias said, trying to hide his concern. But you need more than just corporate revenge. You need to build something that is not war. Please, keep your hands clean of the daily dealings of Vance Global. Let me handle the paperwork. I worry about you getting involved too deeply with people like Jax Ryland.
Aria understood. Elias had seen her transformation into a high ranking, feared soldier and Mission Commander. He knew the tragic past that fueled her, but he feared that the cold corporate war would consume the gentle, caring side of her personality that still loved riding bikes and challenging people to games.
"I promise, Elias," Aria said softly. I will start drawing designs tomorrow. But first, there is one more thing. I must speak to Jax Ryland again, face to face. He is not fooled by the 'traumatized shareholder' cover. He is a fighter, and he recognized the strike I made. He knows I am a strong, dangerous opponent. I have to confirm his suspicion, but only enough to keep him focused on the wrong corporate target.
Elias sighed, knowing he could not stop her. Just be careful, Aria. That musician is dangerous in a different way. He sees too much truth.
Jax woke up feeling renewed. He had slept for six hours, the first real sleep in days. He immediately called Nick.
Nick Aliyev, the youngest Aether member, who was famously charming, hot, and handsome, answered in the first ring. He was already awake, bright and easy, despite the recent chaos.
"Morning, Boss," Nick chirped, his voice full of energy. Operation Charming Assassin was a massive success. I have the intel, and a new signed vinyl for my collection.
Jax cut straight to the core of the issue. Tell me everything about Aria Thorne. Do not leave out a single detail.
Nick reported his entire conversation with Lisa Jenkins, relaying the secretary's belief that Aria was a private, distant, and formal shareholder.
"The consensus is that she is just the sister, Elias Vance's puppet, moving the deal forward to boost his corporate standing," Nick summarized. She never shows up, has no office, knows nothing about the daily business, and avoids the media because of a 'traumatic past' a long ago kidnapping. She is obsessed with privacy and seems emotionally distant.
Jax listened, his eyes narrowed. The information confirmed the cover story perfectly. Aria Thorne was presented as a vulnerable, slightly damaged, wealthy woman, far too detached to be a threat.
But Jax's sharp intuition, honed by years of strategic thinking and competition in the music industry, screamed a different truth.
Jax thought: That description is the perfect disguise. A truly traumatized person would not be the public face of a fifty million dollar acquisition. The kidnapping story is the key. It gives her a reason for secrecy and for owning no digital footprint. She is not a fragile lady.
Jax pulled up the code snippet again—the invisible message that had flashed on his screen: PASSENGER.
"Nick, listen to me," Jax said, his voice low and serious. The hack was not done by an emotionally distant shareholder. It was done by a professional. A regular corporate hacker leaves breadcrumbs. This person left nothing but a single, personal warning on my screen and a clip of my deepest, most private music on my console. That is not corporate theft. That is a psychological strike. It is designed to silence and intimidate.
"So what are you saying?" Nick asked, confused. " Is she a high-level professional spy?
"I'm saying she is highly trained, Nick," Jax stated firmly. She broke my system like she was breaching a secure vault. She is a powerful adversary. That word, Passenger, is a warning. It means I am currently a passenger in her game, and she is driving. But she needs this deal to go through for her cover. We can still use that against her.
Jax's mind raced. He had to force another direct interaction.
"Call Silas," Jax commanded. Tell him we need an in-person contract review meeting immediately. Not digital. Not remote. A long, painful review of every clause of the Zenith acquisition. We need her to sit across the table from us. And we need to hold that meeting at the Zenith Records headquarters, on our territory. We will see how distant and formal she is when she is trapped in our boardroom.
"Got it, boss," Nick replied, suddenly energized by the high stakes. He loved the challenge. Luring the professional onto our stage. I will call the CEO, Damian Reed, and set it up.
Aria woke up feeling energized. She spent the morning in her penthouse, working on initial sketches for her fashion line. She loved design; it was a pure, creative form of construction, a balance to the destructive nature of her past. Her sketches were elegant and functional, reflecting her own severe beauty and practical nature.
Later, she sat down to contact her oldest friend.
Aria pulled up her phone and called Zara. Zara was her best friend from the orphanage and was now a high level director at a major cell phone technology company. Zara was smart, driven, and had a loud, caring personality.
"Aria! You finally called me! Zara's voice boomed cheerfully over the secure line. I saw the news! You're back, and you're causing chaos in the stock market! That is my girl! You were always the best at causing trouble.
Aria laughed, a genuine, warm sound that rarely surfaced. I miss you, Zara. Yes, I am back. And yes, I had to remind Elias's business partners that I know how to fight.
Tell me about it! I saw Victoria and Chloe in the dinner photos in the tabloids this morning, Zara said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. They looked like they saw a zombie. Did they freak out?
"They were suitably shocked," Aria confirmed, leaning back in her chair. I made sure they understood that the girl they left in the forest was gone. I am a shareholder now, and I am here for the Thorne Company takeover. I need to clean up that mess so I can move on to my real plan.
"And that means the fashion company?" Zara asked, her voice full of excitement. I love your designs, Aria. They are innovative and sleek. That is your true genius. Do you need my help yet?
"Very soon, Zara," Aria replied. My vision requires cutting-edge marketing and technology integration. Your position as a director at the phone company will be vital when I launch. I will need the best tech minds, and that is you. But first, corporate stability. And that means dealing with Zenith Records.
"Ah, the boy band," Zara sighed happily. My favorite band group! I have been their biggest fan since high school! Tell me you actually met Jax Ryland! Is he as handsome in person? Do they seem nice?
Aria rolled her eyes playfully. They are dramatic and annoying. Especially Jax. He is too smart, too suspicious, and he has a tendency to fight back. He sees me as a threat. He is setting up a new meeting.
"A meeting? Be careful, soldier girl, Zara warned, her voice suddenly serious. They are celebrities. They have massive public support, and they play the public relations game better than anyone. Don't get caught in a scandal.
"I won't," Aria promised. I am going in as a professional. I am wearing my perfect mask. I have to secure this deal and show Jax that I am not worth fighting.
Later that afternoon, Elias informed Aria of the new development.
"Zenith Records just requested an immediate contract review meeting," Elias said, standing over Aria's drafting table. It is highly unusual. Jax Ryland is behind this, I am sure. He wants to see you again.
"Where is the meeting?" Aria asked, closing her sketchbook. Her beautiful, intense eyes were already focused on the coming confrontation.
"At Zenith Records headquarters," Elias confirmed. In their main conference room. Their territory. It is a clear power move. They want to see if you will back down or if you will walk into their trap.
Aria smiled, a cold, dangerous smile that had been honed on the battlefield.
"I do not back down from a trap, Elias," she said, her hot temper flickering beneath her calm, elegant exterior. I will go. I will be the perfect, elegant shareholder. I will play their game of integrity, but I will be looking for a weakness. Tell them we will be there tomorrow at ten a.m. I will wear a different kind of armor this time.
Elias watched her, feeling the familiar mix of respect, admiration, and protective worry. He saw the strength that made men higher up in the army fear and respect her.
Elias thought: She will win this war. But I hope she can find a way to be the child she never was, too. Maybe that funny bandmate, Nick, is exactly the kind of distraction she needs.
Aria stood up, her posture straight and deadly. Jax Ryland wants to play the game of who has the highest integrity? Fine. I will show him that integrity is just another word for a weapon when it is in the right hands.