“There they are,” Nora murmured.

Heath and Alana stood near the silent auction table, looking every inch the power couple. She wore a black cocktail dress that probably cost more than most people’s rent, and he had that confident smile he used to charm investors. They were surrounded by the usual crowd of tech executives and old money socialites.

“Showtime,” I said.

We walked over casually, timing it perfectly as the group around them dispersed.

“Yara!” Heath’s voice cracked slightly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“The children’s hospital fundraiser. I’ve been coming for years,” I smiled warmly.

“You look well, Heath. Marriage suits you.”

Alana stepped closer to him, her hand finding his arm. “Yara, how lovely to see you. How are you adjusting?”

“Wonderfully, actually. I’ve been keeping busy.”

“Still doing your computer thing?” Heath asked, and I caught the slight condescension in his tone. “Something like that,” I sipped my champagne. “Congratulations on the Morrison Tech renewal, by the way. I heard it was touch-and-go for a while.”

Heath’s smile faltered. Morrison Tech was Garrett Industries’ biggest client, and their contract renewal had been a nightmare.

“Business is good,” he said carefully.

“I’m sure it is. Though I heard through the grapevine that you lost the Hartwell account last month. That must have stung,” I continued.

Alana’s eyes narrowed. “You seem remarkably well-informed about our business.”

“Oh, you know how it is in tech. Everyone talks.”

I turned to Heath. “I actually ran into David Kim from your development team last week. He mentioned he’s exploring new opportunities.”

Heath went pale. David Kim was their lead developer. And if he was job hunting, that was a problem.

“Where did you run into David?” Alana asked, her voice suddenly sharp.

“At a networking event. Phoenix Consulting has been expanding rapidly. We’re always looking for top talent.”

Phoenix Consulting. Heath repeated, “My company.”

“We specialize in digital transformation for mid-market firms. It’s been quite successful, actually.”

The silence stretched uncomfortably. I could see the wheels turning in both their heads.

“How successful?” Alana asked, her voice tight.

“Well, we just closed our fourth acquisition this year. Growing fast, you know how it is.”

“Four acquisitions?” Heath said slowly. “That’s impressive.”

“Thank you. We’ve been particularly focused on companies that serve the enterprise software market. Lots of opportunity there.”

“Enterprise Software?” Alana repeated. Garrett Industries’ bread and butter. “Yara,” she said, her voice now thick with an edge, “It’s wonderful that you found something to keep you busy.”

“Freedom can be such a gift, can’t it?” I responded, my smile polite. “No more boring corporate dinners. No more pretending to understand business discussions.”

There it was, the jab I’d been waiting for.

“You’re absolutely right,” I said, smiling brightly. “I’m so much happier now that I don’t have to pretend anymore.”

“Pretend?” Heath asked.

“To be interested in other people’s businesses, when I could be building my own.”

I finished my champagne. “Speaking of which, I should go mingle. There are some potential clients here tonight.”

I started to walk away, then turned back as if I just remembered something.

“Oh, Heath,” I said, pausing. “You might want to have a conversation with your sales team. I heard through the grapevine that morale is pretty low. Something about management changes not going over well.”

His face went white. Three of their top salespeople had quit in the past month, all citing issues with Alana’s new performance metrics.

“How could you possibly know that?” Alana snapped.

“Like I said, everyone talks, especially when they’re unhappy.”

I smiled sweetly. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

I walked away feeling their stares burning into my back.

Nora caught up with me near the bar. “That was brutal,” she whispered.

“That was just the opening move.”

“I set down my empty glass. “Did you see their faces when I mentioned the acquisitions? Alana looked like she wanted to murder you.”

“Good. Let them wonder what I’m really up to.”

I pulled out my phone and checked the time. The Peterson Group integration should be complete by Monday. That puts us in direct competition with Garrett Industries for the Blackstone contract.

The $50 million Blackstone contract.

The very one I smiled. “I told you this would be fun.”

The call came on a Tuesday morning while I was reviewing Phoenix Consulting’s quarterly projections. An unknown number, but I answered anyway.

“Miss Garrett, this is Tristan Stewart. I’m a senior executive recruiter specializing in tech talent.”

I nearly choked on my coffee. Tristan Stewart? Alana’s brother? The same Tristan who’d been at their wedding, who’d given that toast about family loyalty and shared vision?

“I’m sorry, but I think you have the wrong number.”

“My name is Yara Blackwood,” I said, and then I added with a little smirk, “I legally changed it back to my maiden name three months ago, but kept using Garrett for business purposes.”

“My apologies.”

“I’m actually calling about Phoenix Consulting. I understand you’re the owner.”

“I am. What can I do for you, Tristan?”

“We represent several high-level executives who are exploring new opportunities.”

“Your company has caught their attention,” he continued, without missing a beat.

“I see. And what kind of executives are we talking about?”

“Senior developers, project managers, sales directors, people with extensive experience in enterprise software solutions. People from Garrett Industries.”

It had to be.

“That’s interesting,” I said, keeping my voice neutral. “We’re always looking for top talent. Are these individuals currently employed?”

“Yes, but they’re… let’s say they’re open to the right opportunity.”

“I see. And what makes Phoenix Consulting attractive to them?”

“Growth trajectory. Company culture. Competitive compensation packages. Your reputation in the industry has been quite impressive lately.”

“My reputation?” Six months ago, nobody in tech knew who I was. Now I was poaching talent from my ex-husband’s company through his new sister-in-law’s brother. The universe had a sense of humor.

“I’d be happy to discuss opportunities. Can you tell me more about their backgrounds?”

“I’d prefer to do this in person. Are you available for lunch tomorrow?”

“Absolutely.”

“Perfect. I’ll send you the profiles beforehand.”

After he hung up, I immediately called Nora. “You’re not going to believe this,” I said.

“Try me.”

“Alana’s brother just called. He’s headhunting for us.”

“What? Tristan Stewart?”

“He’s a recruiter, and he wants to set up meetings between Phoenix and several high-level executives who are looking for new opportunities from Garrett Industries.”

“Has to be.”

“The timing is too perfect.”

“I pulled up our competitor analysis on my screen. Remember how I mentioned their sales team was unhappy? Looks like the problem is spreading.”

“This could be a trap,” Nora said, “or it could be Christmas morning. Either way, I’m taking the meeting.”

The next day, I arrived at the Copper Kettle 15 minutes early and chose a corner table with a clear view of the entrance. Tristan walked in exactly at noon, tall, silver-haired, wearing an expensive suit that screamed old money. He looked like a male version of Alana—sharp angles and calculated charm.

“Ms. Blackwood,” he extended his hand.

“Please, call me Yara,” I shook his hand, noting the firm grip and the way his eyes assessed me.

“Thank you for reaching out.”

“We ordered quickly. Salads for both of us. The kind of power-lunch meal that said we were too busy for real food.”

“I’ll be direct,” Tristan said. “I have three executives who are interested in Phoenix Consulting. All currently employed at Garrett Industries.”

“Garrett Industries,” I kept my voice neutral. “I’m familiar with them.”

“Solid company.”

“Solid, yes. But experiencing some internal challenges.”

“What kind of challenges?”

“Management restructuring. New policies that aren’t sitting well with long-term employees.”

I nodded sympathetically. “That’s unfortunate. What positions are we talking about?”

“Senior developer, sales director, and VP of client relations.”

My heart rate spiked.

“The VP of client relations managed all of Garrett Industries’ major accounts, including Morrison Tech and the Blackstone contract.”

“Impressive backgrounds, I’m sure.”

“The best.”

“Each has over 10 years with the company, deep client relationships, institutional knowledge, proven track records… and they’re all looking to leave at the same time?”

Tristan’s smile was thin. “Let’s just say the new management style isn’t universally appreciated.”

I smiled at him.

“Would you like to meet them?”

I smiled at him. “Would I like to meet them? Of course. It sounds like the perfect opportunity.”

Tristan’s smile widened, but there was something calculating behind his eyes. “I’ll arrange a meeting with each of them. But Yara, I have to be candid with you—these aren’t just any executives. They’re a serious asset. If you want to bring them on board, you’ll have to be strategic.”

I leaned back in my chair, keeping my tone casual. “Don’t worry. I’ve been handling strategic moves my whole life. It’s why I’m where I am.”

Tristan’s eyes narrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly. He knew exactly who I was, but I could tell he was still unsure whether he should be impressed or worried. “That’s what makes this conversation so interesting. You’re clearly playing a much bigger game than the people you left behind.”

“I don’t leave things behind, Tristan. I leave them where they belong—behind me.”

The tension in the air shifted slightly as I finished my salad and placed the empty plate aside. “When can we meet with the executives? I don’t want to waste time.”

“Tomorrow afternoon,” he said, finishing his own salad and standing up. “I’ll send the details. And just so you know, I’m bringing the contracts with me. These people don’t want to waste time either.”

I stood up and offered him a firm handshake, feeling the power shift in that small moment. “Perfect. I look forward to it.”

The following day, I arrived at the swanky office building that housed Phoenix Consulting’s latest acquisition: one of the companies I had stealthily taken over in my push for expansion. I walked into the conference room, where three of Garrett Industries’ senior executives were already seated—David Kim, Sarah Martinez, and Robert Chen.

I shook their hands one by one, their eyes scanning me with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. I could feel their hesitation, but I also knew their talents. They were precisely the kind of people I needed for the next stage of my plan.

“Thank you for meeting me,” I began, my voice steady and commanding. “I know this isn’t the most conventional recruitment meeting, but I believe in the future of Phoenix Consulting. It’s not about the past, and it’s not about loyalty to a company that’s falling apart. It’s about creating something new.”

They exchanged looks, and I could see that David was the first to bite. He leaned forward, intrigued. “So you want us to leave Garrett Industries… for Phoenix? Why?”

“Because Garrett Industries is broken. Leadership doesn’t listen. They’re stuck in their old ways. But at Phoenix, I offer a place where your talents will be valued. A place where you won’t be just another cog in the machine, but a key player in a growing empire.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow. “And what do you have to offer us? We’re not exactly desperate.”

“Of course you’re not,” I said smoothly. “But I can offer you something Garrett never could: an opportunity to shape the future. A chance to run things your way, where innovation is celebrated, not feared. You’ll have more influence here than you ever had at Garrett. And I will make sure you’re well-compensated for your loyalty.”

The atmosphere shifted. Robert seemed to be calculating the numbers in his head, but Sarah remained skeptical. “And you expect us to trust you? After all that’s happened between you and Garrett?”

“I expect you to trust me because I’m not here to play games. You saw what happened at Garrett. You saw how it all fell apart. Now, it’s time to build something better, and I want you with me.”

David looked over at Sarah and Robert, then back at me. “What makes you think we’re ready to jump ship? We’ve spent years building relationships and careers there.”

“I’ve been building something of my own for the past few years,” I said, my tone unwavering. “And you know what? My team and I have already surpassed Garrett in ways they never thought possible. You can stay in a sinking ship, or you can come aboard a vessel that’s headed for the stars.”

The silence that followed was heavy, but not uncomfortable. It was a moment of decision.

Finally, Sarah broke the silence, her voice softer now. “What exactly do you need from us?”

I smiled, leaning forward. “I need you to make Phoenix Consulting the powerhouse it’s destined to be. I need your expertise, your knowledge, and your connections. Together, we will crush Garrett Industries. We’ll make them regret ever thinking they could throw me away.”

The three of them exchanged another look. I knew I had them. But it was up to them to make the leap.

David stood up first, extending his hand. “Alright, Yara. We’ll join you. But only because we believe in what you’re building. Not because of anything that happened in the past.”

I shook his hand firmly. “Welcome aboard.”

The next few weeks were a blur of strategy meetings, acquisitions, and corporate warfare. Phoenix Consulting was expanding rapidly, and with every move, I could feel Garrett Industries weakening. My new team had brought invaluable insight into the weaknesses of Heath’s company, and it wasn’t long before we were in a direct battle for the same clients.

But it wasn’t just about business anymore. It was about revenge. And every time I saw Alana’s name on a client list or Heath’s face on a magazine cover, I felt the fire inside me burn brighter.

I didn’t just want to take Garrett down. I wanted to make sure they understood exactly who I was and what I could do. The day I took control of their biggest contract—Blackstone—I knew the war was over.

Six months later, I stood in the lobby of Garrett Industries’ headquarters. My phone buzzed with a text from Nora: The Blackstone contract just landed. We’re officially the bigger player.

I smiled to myself, knowing that every moment of pain, every bit of ridicule I endured, had led to this. I walked through the doors of Garrett’s building, not as a discarded ex-wife, but as the CEO of Phoenix Consulting, the company that would soon own this space and everything Garrett had once held dear.

I was walking into my past, but this time, I held the power.

The boardroom was waiting for me.

As I entered, I could see the shock on their faces. Donald was at the head of the table, looking every bit the defeated man he had become. Heath sat next to him, his face pale. Alana was nowhere to be seen.

“Yara,” Donald’s voice trembled slightly. “What is this?”

“This is my company now,” I said coldly, walking to the front of the table. “And I’m here to show you exactly how far you’ll fall when you underestimate the woman you thought was nothing more than a decorative wife.”

Heath opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. “I don’t have time for apologies, Heath. And I’m not here for your regrets. I’m here to take everything you’ve built and make it mine.”

I placed the signed acquisition papers on the table, letting them see the truth of my power.

“This is just the beginning.”

As I walked out of the room, I could feel the weight of the past lift from my shoulders. I had taken back everything they thought they could take from me. I had built an empire from nothing, and now, I was the one holding the keys to their legacy.

And I wasn’t done yet.

End!