Chapter 3

The project kick-off meeting was scheduled in the penthouse conference room of the Vance & Miller Group.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city's financial district stretched out, traffic flowing like silent, iron-colored blood.

Julian Vance sat at the head of the table, impeccably dressed in a bespoke suit, his eyes behind designer glasses still holding that same gentle, yet completely controlled, expression.

Celeste Miller sat beside him, a slight baby bump visible beneath her hand as she tenderly caressed it, her face glowing with the soft radiance of a happily married woman.

She saw me, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, quickly replaced by the scrutinizing gaze of someone in power.

Of course, she didn’t recognize me.

After three years off the grid, I’d lost twenty pounds, cut my long hair, put on black-rimmed glasses, and even changed my speaking cadence.

Now, I was just "Sarah Hayes," an overly calm, almost sharp professional woman.

Julian glanced at me, his tone strictly business.

“Ms. Hayes, my requirements are simple.

The Vance & Miller Group’s past must be a blank slate.

Any old news, any rumors that could cause controversy, I need them completely gone before the IPO.”

I pushed up my glasses and opened my laptop.

“Mr. Vance, PR isn’t magic. It’s science. To make the public forget, the best method isn’t deletion, it’s saturation. We need to craft a new, unbreakable ‘persona’ and ‘story’ for you and the Vance & Miller Group. A rags-to-riches tale of a genius financier and his devoted wife, weathering all storms together to build a business empire. The more perfect this story, the better it will conceal those ‘imperfections’ of the past.”

My voice was perfectly even, devoid of any emotion.

Julian’s lips curved into a subtle, approving smile.

“Ms. Hayes, you’re certainly a professional. We’ll do as you suggest.”

He paused, as if remembering something, then added in a condescending tone:

“Especially regarding… my former fiancée. I don’t want her resurfacing, rehashing old issues, and damaging the company’s reputation.”

Celeste immediately hooked her arm through his, softly saying,

“Julian, it’s all in the past. Evelyn was just confused back then, let’s not blame her.”

I lowered my eyes, staring at the blinking cursor on my screen.

My stomach twisted into knots.

Ha.

Not blame me?

She didn’t deserve to utter those words.

I wanted nothing more than to smash my laptop into her sanctimonious face.

But I held back.

My fingers typed a line on the keyboard:

[Phase one objective: Gain absolute trust. Become the blade that will slay the dragon.]

The meeting ended, and as I was about to leave, a voice called out to me.

“Ms. Hayes.”

It was Julian Vance.

He walked over and handed me a business card.

“This is my private number. If you have any issues during the project, you can contact me directly.”

I took the card.

The moment my fingertips brushed his, he paused slightly.

I sneered inwardly, my face maintaining its professional detachment.

“Understood, Mr. Vance.”

As I turned, I heard Celeste ask in a sweet, cooing voice:

“Julian, why are you being so polite to her? She’s just a PR consultant, right?”

Julian’s voice was low, but I still caught it.

“This woman isn’t simple. Keep her close. She’s useful.”

Oh, useful.

Julian Vance, you’ll soon find out just how “not simple” I truly am.