Chapter 3
The Rolls-Royce convoy came to a quiet stop in front of a building marked by restrained elegance.
Above the entrance, the name Sanctum was set in understated gold, unadorned and unmistakable.
The doormen stood in silence, tall and immaculately dressed, their posture rigid and their attention already fixed on the arriving cars.
As the convoy halted, they stepped aside in practiced coordination, clearing the way without a word.
Thomas opened the car door for me.
Freshly changed into a perfectly tailored suit, I stepped out in style.
Three years of trial had tempered my presence, making me more reserved, but the innate nobility and commanding aura in my bearing and gaze could no longer be concealed.
"Mr. Drake, your grandfather is waiting on the top floor," Thomas said as he led the way.
When the elevator doors slid open, we stepped onto a vast open-air terrace overlooking the city.
An elderly man stood near the edge, hands clasped behind his back. He wore a tailored dark coat, understated and precise, his posture straight, his presence steady rather than imposing. He was watching the city lights below, not with admiration, but with quiet ownership.
That was my grandfather, Edmund Drake, the head of the Drake Consortium.
Hearing our footsteps, he turned with deliberate calm, his eyes like daggers sizing me up.
"You're back?" His voice was quiet, but the authority in it filled the air.
"Yeah. I'm back," I said, meeting his gaze.
"Three years. How was it?" he asked.
"Pretty interesting," I replied, not holding back.
Those three years really opened my eyes to what people were truly like.
Edmund gave a satisfied smile. "You've really matured. Looks like you've passed your trial."
He paused and then said, "Starting today, you'll be running all the Drake Consortium's businesses in Rivergate. It's my way of making up for what you've been through, and it's your next big challenge."
He added, "Thomas will hand over all the files. Do what needs to be done. I'll deal with the consequences."
"Thank you, Grandpa," I replied.
I didn't refuse. Those were always meant to be mine.
After a brief conversation with Edmund, I took my leave from Sanctum.
Thomas had already arranged my residence. It was a private mansion in Crownridge, the most exclusive neighborhood in Rivergate.
The entire hill was reserved for this single property.
From the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city spread out below, its lights stretching across most of the night skyline.
This was the life I was always meant to live.
I pulled out that custom phone and started getting up to speed on our businesses in Rivergate.
As I swiped through the screen, company names I recognized and some I didn't just popped up one after another.
Finance, real estate, tech, entertainment... We had our fingers in almost every pie.
Suddenly, my finger stopped mid-swipe.
On the screen, a company name popped up—Linford Global.
Well, wasn't that interesting?
It turned out that Linford Global was going all out to land a big overseas deal, and the partner for that project just happened to be one of our investment companies under the Drake Consortium.
In other words, I held Claire's company's fate in the palm of my hand.
A cold smirk curled at my lips.
*****
The next day, in the CEO's office at Linford Global, Claire rubbed her aching temples, visibly exhausted.
She'd been totally stressed out by Sophia's call yesterday and ended up tossing and turning all night.
She still refused to believe Joey was a big shot, but the sight of those ten Rolls-Royces was burned into her mind, replaying in her head like a bad dream she just couldn't shake.
"Ms. Linford, we just got word from overseas. Our proposal was rejected," the secretary reported cautiously.
Claire's eyes widened. "What?" she blurted out, shooting to her feet as her face drained of color.
"Rejected? Why? Our proposal was perfect," she snapped.
This project was the future of Linford Global. She'd poured her heart and soul into it. There was no way she was letting it slip away.
The secretary stammered, "They said we didn't demonstrate enough commitment. And their boss is coming to Rivergate today for a site visit. He specifically requested to meet you."
"Their boss?" Claire felt a jolt of anxiety.
He was a figure of enormous influence, rarely seen in person. And now he was coming to see her?
"Quick. Notify all the executives. Prepare the highest level of reception. No matter what, we have to secure this project," Claire barked out her orders.
This might be her last chance.
*****
By afternoon, the tension outside Linford Global was suffocating.
Claire stood at the entrance with all the executives lined up in two rows.
Everyone craned their necks, eyes glued to the street, waiting for the first sign.
Finally, a black Maybach rolled up, drawing everyone's attention.
The door swung open.
The first to step out was a man from the front passenger seat, gold-rimmed glasses catching the light, his expression sharp and all business.
Claire recognized him instantly. It was Sebastian Lane, the VP from their partner company.
She quickly put on her best smile and hurried over.
"Mr. Lane, welcome. Thank you for coming all this way," Claire greeted him warmly.
Sebastian only gave her a brief nod before turning to open the back door with practiced respect.
Everyone's heart was in their throat.
They knew the real big shot was about to make his entrance.
A gleaming leather shoe poked out first.
Then, a tall, imposing figure emerged from the car.
He stepped out in a sharp, perfectly tailored suit, his presence commanding the whole scene.
When he lifted his head, showing off those movie-star looks and that icy expression, Claire felt her smile freeze on her face.
All the executives were stunned, frozen like statues.
For a moment, it felt like even the air stopped moving.
Claire's pupils contracted sharply in utter shock.
She stared at the man before her, someone she thought she knew, now unmistakably a stranger. At that moment, everything she believed about him fell apart.
"Joey?" She uttered his name, her voice frail and trembling, laced with absurdity and dread.
I watched her face, a whirlwind of emotions, while a smirk with a hint of mockery curled at my lips.
"Ms. Linford, it's been a while," I said. "Let me reintroduce myself. I'm the man you were waiting for."