Chapter 1: Time to Settle Old Scores

The floor-to-ceiling windows of the Ritz-Carlton's top-floor conference room offered a stunning view of Boston Harbor, but the atmosphere inside reeked of failure. Lawyers and financial advisors sat around the long table with grim faces, their expensive suits unable to hide the defeat written across their features.

Marcus Clayton slumped at the far end of the table, his once-pristine designer suit now wrinkled and tired-looking. His fingers drummed against the mahogany surface, bloodshot eyes staring at nothing. Where a luxury watch once sat on his left wrist, only a pale tan line remained. Even that had been pawned months ago.

The conference room door opened with a soft click, and she walked in.

Victoria Sterling moved like she owned the place. Her black business suit was perfectly tailored, golden hair pulled back in a sleek bun. Each step echoed against the marble floor, cutting through the silence like a knife.

"Ms. Sterling, thank you for taking the time to meet with us," said the lead attorney, rising from his chair.

"Time is money," Victoria replied, her voice sharp. "Let's get to it."

Marcus lifted his head at the sound of her voice, pupils contracting. Something about that tone triggered a weird sense of déjà vu, like hearing an echo from a dream he couldn't quite remember.

Victoria felt cold satisfaction wash over her. Five years, Marcus. You look even more pathetic than I imagined.

The room went dead quiet except for the tap of Victoria's heels as she approached the table. Each step hit Marcus in the chest like a hammer.

Victoria opened the folder in front of her slowly, taking her time. "Clayton Tech. Once worth billions, now drowning in debt. What happened?"

"Market conditions changed too fast," Marcus stammered, his voice rough. "The AI bubble burst, we got caught in the middle..."

"Caught in the middle?" Victoria's eyes snapped up to meet his, green irises cold as ice. "Successful people don't make excuses. They either fail completely or they come back stronger."

She leaned back in her chair, studying him like he was some kind of bug under a microscope. "Sterling Investment will take on all of Clayton Tech's assets and debts. But there's a catch."

The pause stretched out. Victoria was clearly enjoying watching Marcus squirm.

"You stay with the company as a regular employee. Standard salary, nothing fancy."

Marcus shot to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "Are you kidding me? This is my company!"

"Was your company," Victoria corrected, her tone flat. Each word hit like a slap. "Not anymore."

"Marcus, this is the best deal we're gonna get," the attorney said quietly. "Every other investor wants you gone completely."

Marcus collapsed back into his chair, hands shaking as they formed fists. Five years ago, he'd been on top of this city. Now he was begging for scraps.

"If nobody objects, we can sign the papers." Victoria reached into her bag and pulled out an expensive fountain pen.

She deliberately placed her left hand on the documents as she signed, letting the sunlight from the windows catch the emerald ring on her finger.

Marcus's eyes locked onto the ring like it was a magnet. His pupils went wide with shock. That ring... it was the Ashford family heirloom, Sophia's ring!

"Your ring..." he whispered.

Victoria looked up, green eyes meeting his without blinking. "What about it?"

"Nothing, just... looks familiar."

"Maybe because it's special." She twisted the ring deliberately, making the emerald catch more light. "My grandmother left it to me. Apparently it has quite a history."

Marcus's mind was spinning. Impossible... Sophia died five years ago. That ring should be buried with her. But this woman's eyes, the way she talks...

Victoria signed "Victoria Sterling" in smooth, confident letters.

Her gaze drifted to a photograph on the conference room wall. A picture from five years ago when the Ashford and Clayton families had signed their partnership agreement. In the photo, Sophia wore a pink suit, her smile bright and trusting. Marcus stood beside her, handsome and confident, eyes full of what looked like real love.

The memory hit Victoria hard. Marcus had once promised, "After we're married, we'll honeymoon in Italy. The Tuscan sun will be just like your smile." And she'd believed him, saying back, "I never thought anyone could love me like this."

Victoria stared at that naive girl in the photograph, emotions churning in her chest. That trusting Sophia Ashford was dead. Victoria Sterling stood in her place.

Marcus followed her gaze to the photograph, his face going even paler.

"That was..."

"A beautiful girl," Victoria said softly, though Marcus caught something different in her tone. "Shame she died so young. Heard it was over love?"

"Please don't talk about her," Marcus's voice cracked. For five years, Sophia's death had been eating him alive.

"Why? Because you feel guilty?"

Marcus's mouth trembled, but he stayed silent.

The lawyers started packing up their documents. A strange tension filled the air. Marcus kept staring at Victoria, searching her face for something familiar. That graceful way she held herself, the small pauses when she spoke, even how she touched her ring...

Victoria stood and positioned herself so sunlight hit her profile. For just a second, Marcus saw a heartbreakingly familiar silhouette.

"Wait..."

But Victoria had already turned toward the window. "Boston really is beautiful. Full of history, and full of secrets."

She faced the room again, wearing a perfect business smile. "Tomorrow, Clayton Tech starts fresh. Past mistakes need to be paid for."

"Gentlemen, I'm sure we'll see each other again."

In the elevator, Victoria's professional mask slipped the moment the doors closed. She slowly pulled off her gloves, revealing a thin scar on her wrist. A souvenir from Swiss surgery five years ago.

The mirrored walls showed her reflection: golden hair, flawless makeup, perfect suit. All carefully crafted weapons.

Determination flooded through Victoria. Five years of preparation, five years of waiting, and finally this day had come. Marcus, do you remember that girl crying in the bridal shop five years ago? She's dead, and standing here now is a queen you'll never be able to touch.

Her phone buzzed. Emma's name lit up the screen.

"First step done. He's starting to suspect."

"Be careful, Sophia. Don't let emotions mess up the plan."

"Don't worry. I'm not Sophia anymore, Emma. That naive girl died five years ago."

The Ritz-Carlton's lobby gleamed with marble and crystal chandeliers. Victoria walked across the stone floor, confidence radiating from every step.

"Ms. Sterling, should I call you a car?" the doorman asked politely.

Victoria smiled gracefully. "No thanks. I think I'll walk."

Outside the hotel, Boston's spring breeze hit her face. She stood at the entrance, looking up at the city that had once caused her so much pain.

Cold fury settled in Victoria's chest. Marcus Clayton, Damien Crawford, Bella Morrison... You thought I was dead, that you could sleep peacefully while enjoying happiness built on my suffering. But you were wrong. I'm back, not to forgive, but to make you pay.

She twisted the emerald ring on her finger, watching it sparkle in the sunlight like the fire of revenge burning in her eyes.

Victoria whispered softly: "Good to see you again. Time to settle old scores."

The spring wind swept through Boston's streets, bringing a new season and the beginning of revenge.