Chapter 5 THE GLORIOUS RETURN

Chapter 1

The private jet soared high above the grey clouds as the sprawling skyline of New York emerged below, dotted with hints of old charm and new wealth. Aurora Wynter sat silently in her plush leather seat with her gaze fixed out the window. The city she had once called home felt almost unrecognizable after seven long years. Yet, the bitterness she carried had not dulled, not even a little.

Aurora Wynter- 27 years old business tycoon.

"Miss Wynter," her assistant, Miss Lee, interrupted gently, leaning forward with a faint smile. "We'll be landing in ten minutes. Everything is prepared as per your instructions."

Lee Davids - 23 years old, personal assistant to Aurora.

Aurora nodded, her lips barely moving. She appreciated Miss Lee's efficiency, but right now, her mind was somewhere else, stuck in memories she'd buried deep. Seven years ago, this city spat her out like an unwanted child. Now, she was returning, not as the broken girl who had fled but as a force of unimaginable power. Every fibre of her being burned with one purpose: to bring Julian Blackwood to his knees.

She had spent years transforming herself into someone untouchable and unstoppable. A survivor of unimaginable loss, Aurora Wynter had become a woman who held the keys to empires. She had mastered martial arts with precision, earning black belts in disciplines that honed her mind as much as her body. She had walked the halls of the most prestigious business schools in Europe, earning accolades for her brilliance. She spoke nine international languages fluently, a skill that had unlocked doors to global networks of wealth and influence. By the time she was twenty-six, she had climbed the ranks of elite financial circles, trading the stock market with such precision that even the most seasoned investors marvelled at her skill.

All of it, every achievement, every sleepless night had been for this moment. For the revenge she had sworn to take on Julian Blackwood.

The jet touched down smoothly, jolting Aurora from her thoughts. She straightened her back, her face calm but her eyes steely with determination. She was no longer the frightened little girl who had watched everything she loved stolen from her. She was now a woman who would reclaim it all and destroy anyone who dared stand in her way.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom waited for her on the tarmac, polished to a mirror finish. The driver opened the door with a bow as Aurora descended the jet's steps, her Louboutin heels clicking against the metal. She stepped into the car without a word, Miss Lee following closely behind.

As they cruised through the streets of London, Aurora's sharp eyes scanned the familiar roads. The air smelled the same-rain-soaked stone and diesel-but the city had evolved. New buildings reached for the sky, while old landmarks stood steadfast. Her mansion was nestled in the exclusive Mayfair district, tucked behind iron gates that whispered luxury and power.

The car pulled up to the grand estate she had meticulously designed from halfway across the world. It was a masterpiece-a blend of modern architecture and timeless elegance, with sprawling lawns and towering marble pillars. Every detail had been chosen with precision. This was not just a home; it was a statement.

"Welcome home, Miss Wynter," Miss Lee said as the front doors opened to reveal the immaculate interiors. Aurora paused for a moment, her eyes sweeping across the grand foyer. The silence of the house was almost unsettling. For years, she had dreamed of coming back, of taking this city by storm. Yet, standing here now, a hollow ache lingered in her chest. The memories of what she'd lost, of what Julian Blackwood had stolen, were too fresh to ignore.

She clenched her fists. There was no time for sentiment. She had work to do.