Chapter6: The Power Shift at Vince Industries and an Unexpected Encounter

The moment Elara Vance dropped her final word in the Vince Industries boardroom, the air froze. Whispers and uneasy murmurs rippled through the room like an approaching storm. Her announcement had struck like thunder — shaking the entire company's power structure to its core.

Damian Blackwood, Celeste Dubois, and all their planted allies had mostly been swept out.

"Everyone here knows exactly what I'm doing," Elara's icy gaze cut across the room. "There are still a few of Damian's men I haven't dealt with yet. Don't get comfortable thinking you're safe. But if you know your place, and work hard, Vince Industries won't treat you unfairly."

She stood up, her voice sharp and commanding. "Meeting adjourned."

As the room emptied fast, only Elara, Arthur Sterling, and the family's longtime loyal aide Robert Wu remained. Wu's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he looked at Elara — no longer the timid, sickly girl they once knew, but a fierce force reborn.

"Zhīwēi… Elara," he choked out, hesitant but deeply moved, "you were always gentle and fragile before. But now… this transformation would make your father and Arthur proud, wherever they are."

Elara nodded softly, feeling the warmth. "Uncle Wu, I'm not changed—I'm just not the same person anymore. The one who lived before... is gone. And the ones who hurt us will pay."

Wu nodded, understanding her hidden fury. "Good. And there's one thing I must ask... about Ethan Jiang. What's going on between you two?"

Elara's eyes darkened. Ethan Jiang—the man who betrayed her in both past and present lives, a shadow she wanted to erase.

"We're done," she said coldly, voice firm as steel. "He doesn't deserve to be near me—or inside the Vince family gates."

Wu felt relief flood through him. Finally, Elara was clear-eyed and strong.

Later, back at the Vince mansion, Elara felt a new chapter had begun. Mrs. Lee, the loyal housekeeper, rushed to her side, tears spilling freely.

"Miss… you're really awake! Thank God!" Mrs. Lee's voice trembled with emotion.

Elara took her hands warmly. "Thank you for everything."

Mrs. Lee's eyes shone brighter. "I'm just glad you see through those two—the ones who tried to take you down."

Elara nodded. "It's not too late now."

She quickly laid out her orders:

"First, fire that driver Wang—he's one of Damian's men."

"And the car Celeste used yesterday? Sell it. Keep whatever you get from it. I don't want anything tied to her."

Mrs. Lee was shocked—firing a trusted driver and selling off luxury cars were unheard of before. But she obeyed without hesitation.

Once settled, Elara focused on reclaiming her private treasures. In her past life, she owned valuable jade and assets stored in a high-security vault downtown.

At the vault, she breezed through security, thanks to special clearance she'd arranged long ago. She entered the code, and moments later her box of treasures was wheeled out.

While waiting, her eyes caught a flash of jade-green light outside the glass window. Instinctively, she looked up—and saw him.

Silas Croft.

He approached, flanked by bodyguards, his imposing presence undeniable even in a plain suit. His face was pale, eyes tired, clearly ill—but still radiating power.

Elara studied the jade ring on his thumb—a rare imperial green jade, worth a fortune. She'd only seen one other person wear one like that before.

The past and present collided in that moment. Silas—someone tied to her fate more deeply than most could imagine.

Just as her box arrived, she prepared to leave. She thanked the staff and told them to close her account.

Then she noticed Silas's entourage approaching the entrance. A young female attendant, smelling heavily of perfume, was about to serve him.

Elara frowned. She knew Silas was sensitive to strong scents; perfume made him uncomfortable—especially now, given his health.

So she spoke quietly to a nearby staff member:

"Better not send the lady to serve him. He dislikes strong perfumes."

The girl stiffened, sniffed herself, then flushed with embarrassment.

"Don't take it the wrong way," Elara added quickly, "It's just that he's unwell and sensitive."

The girl nodded, grateful for the heads-up, and hurried away to swap in a male attendant for Silas.

Elara walked past Silas and his group with her box in hand. She felt his gaze linger on her for a split second—but she didn't look back.

New body, new identity—yet some ties refuse to break.

Silas Croft, a man who haunted both her past and present lives, had once again entered her world.

And deep down, Elara knew—their story was only just beginning.