Chapter 5

Cyrus and Meadow were dragged out of the funeral hall like dead dogs.

I heard he cursed at the gate for half an hour, swearing to make me beg him to come back.

After handling Grandfather's affairs, I swiftly cleaned house within the corporation.

Those collateral relatives waiting to see me fail, I kicked them out one by one.

The outside world buzzed with rumors. The Sterling family's crazy heiress was back. No longer a lovesick idiot.

A week later came a top-tier business reception.

The host was mysterious, supposedly a newly returned tycoon holding hundreds of billions in capital.

I had to secure this partnership to stabilize Sterling Corporation's stock price.

Unexpectedly, I ran into Cyrus again at the entrance.

He'd apparently latched onto some nouveau riche sugar mama. Clutching an invitation from who knows where, he swaggered by the door looking smug.

Seeing me, he immediately released the rich woman's hand, straightened his collar, and walked over.

"Well, well, if it isn't Miss Sterling?"

Cyrus blocked my path, his expression full of vindictive satisfaction.

"What? You here begging for partnerships too? I heard this big shot has high standards. With Sterling Corporation's current state, you probably can't even get through the door, right?"

He leaned close, lowering his voice with malicious temptation.

"Vivienne,having regrets now? Just say 'I was wrong' in front of everyone, return that villa, and I'll put in a good word with my lady friend here. Let you get in and see what real class looks like."

He thought I was still that Vivienne who gave him everything he asked for.

Thought that with a simple crook of his finger and a small favor, I'd let bygones be bygones.

After all, he still had that face.

I looked at him and suddenly laughed.

"Cyrus, did you forget to look in the mirror before leaving?"

"That fawning, sleazy look on you. You really resemble a eunuch."

Cyrus's face instantly turned iron blue. "Vivienne! Don't be shameless! When that big shot arrives, we'll see how you cry!"

Just then, the banquet hall doors slowly opened.

All the lights instantly converged, spotlights hitting the entrance.

The previously noisy crowd fell silent, everyone spontaneously parting to create a path.

"Is that... the legendary 'Moon God' of Wall Street?"

"Oh my God, it's really him! The Ashford family heir who disappeared three years ago!"

I jerked my head up.

My heart stopped beating in that moment.

That man approached against the light.

Dressed in an impeccably tailored deep black suit, his posture upright as a pine.

That face, coldly noble, had gained even more maturity and commanding presence than in my memories.

He lifted his gaze slightly, his eyes piercing through layers of people, landing precisely on me.

It was Sebastian.

The real Sebastian.

No hostility, no sleaziness, only a nobility that made people want to bow in submission.