The massive ballroom of the Mandarin Grand Hotel buzzed with energy. The worldwide Richest CEOs Conference was in full swing, and every corner of the luxurious hall gleamed with wealth and power. The crystal chandeliers reflected off the marble floors, and waiters glided between clusters of sharply dressed individuals, offering trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.
Melanie Scott strode into the room, every head turning as her heels clicked against the polished floor. Her tailored black gown clung to her figure with effortless elegance, the sharp neckline revealing just enough to command attention without appearing gaudy. She held her head high, her lips painted a bold red that radiated confidence. She was no longer the naive woman who had begged for a chance. She was now the CEO of Scott Enterprises, a name that had grown synonymous with innovation and resilience.
She scanned the room, her sharp hazel eyes taking in the powerful faces she now mingled with. Four years of sleepless nights, endless work, and ruthless decisions had brought her here. She'd built her empire from scratch and now stood as the only female CEO at the conference—a testament to her strength in a world dominated by men.
A waiter approached her with a tray, and she took a flute of champagne. As she sipped, she reminded herself of her purpose for being here. This was not just another networking event. It was a chance to solidify her position and, more importantly, confront the man who had unwittingly sparked her rise to power.
She didn't have to look far. Standing across the room, Rhys Edwards exuded the same cold dominance he had four years ago. His towering figure was dressed in a perfectly tailored midnight-blue suit, and his dark eyes scanned the room with an air of quiet superiority. There was no mistaking him. His presence was magnetic, drawing the attention of men and women alike.
But Melanie didn't feel the awe that others seemed to. Her chest tightened with hatred, the memories of that day flashing through her mind. The humiliation, the desperation, the crushing loss—it was all because of him.
"Melanie Scott," a voice interrupted her thoughts.
She turned to see Damian Porter, a fellow CEO and a known charmer, approaching her. His easy smile and warm eyes made him one of the few people she genuinely tolerated in these circles.
"Damian," she greeted, forcing a smile.
"You're stealing the show," he said, gesturing to the crowd that couldn't stop glancing in her direction. "You've come a long way."
Melanie's smile turned genuine. "Haven't we all? How's the renewable energy sector treating you?"
They exchanged a few pleasantries, but Melanie's attention kept drifting back to Rhys. He was speaking to a group of executives, his expression unreadable, but she could feel the weight of his presence even from across the room.
As if sensing her gaze, Rhys turned his head, his eyes locking onto hers. The moment was electric, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension. For a second, Melanie's breath caught. Then, she schooled her features into an expression of indifference, lifting her chin as if to say, I'm not the woman you dismissed anymore.
Rhys's eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to place her. She could tell he didn't remember her, and that only fueled her anger. Four years of loathing, and he didn't even have the decency to recall her face.
"Excuse me, Damian," she said, cutting their conversation short. "I need to handle something."
Without waiting for a reply, Melanie crossed the room, her heels clicking with purpose. As she approached, the executives surrounding Rhys noticed her, their conversations faltering as they took in her commanding presence.
"Gentlemen," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "Mind if I steal Mr. Edwards for a moment?"
The men exchanged glances before stepping aside, clearly not wanting to get in the way of whatever this striking woman wanted. Rhys looked at her, his brow furrowing slightly, but he didn't protest.
"Ms...?" he started, clearly searching for her name.
"Scott," she said, her lips curling into a smirk. "Melanie Scott."
Rhys's eyes flickered with recognition, and she saw the moment it clicked. His gaze darkened, his jaw tightening as he studied her.
"You," he said, his voice low and cold.
"Yes, me," she replied, her tone laced with sarcasm. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Mr. Edwards?"
His expression remained stoic, but she didn't miss the way his hands clenched slightly. "What do you want?"
"To thank you," she said, tilting her head. "For dismissing me four years ago. You've no idea how much you helped me."
His eyes narrowed. "If you're here to play games, Ms. Scott, I suggest you save it. I don't have time for theatrics."
"Oh, I'm not playing," she said, stepping closer. "I just wanted to remind you of the woman you dismissed so easily. The woman you thought was beneath you."
Rhys's jaw tightened further, but he didn't respond. She could see the wheels turning in his mind, the realization that she had risen to this position without his help—or perhaps because of his dismissal.
"You've done well for yourself," he said finally, his tone begrudgingly respectful. "But don't think for a second that I'll let you disrupt my plans."
"Disrupt your plans?" she repeated, her voice dripping with mock innocence. "I wouldn't dream of it. I'm here to build alliances, just like you."
Rhys's gaze hardened, and for a moment, the tension between them was palpable. Then he stepped back, his cold mask firmly in place.
"Good luck, Ms. Scott," he said, his voice icy. "You'll need it."
He turned and walked away, leaving her standing there with a triumphant smile. She had wanted to rattle him, and she had succeeded. But this was just the beginning. She wasn't here to play by his rules. She was here to prove that she could beat him at his own game.
---
As the night went on, Melanie continued to navigate the room, making connections and strengthening her network. But her encounter with Rhys lingered in her mind. The man who had once dismissed her had finally seen what she was capable of, and it was only the start.
Across the room, Rhys watched her, his expression unreadable. She had changed, that much was clear. But what unnerved him was how much she had risen in a world he had thought was his to dominate.
"Interesting woman," Damian said, appearing at Rhys's side with a glass of whiskey in hand.
Rhys didn't respond, his eyes still locked on Melanie.
"She's not like the others," Damian continued. "You might want to keep an eye on her. She's the real deal."
Rhys finally turned to Damian, his expression cold. "I don't need your advice."
Damian smirked. "Suit yourself. But something tells me she's going to be more than just another name on the list."
As Damian walked away, Rhys's gaze returned to Melanie. She was talking to another group of executives now, her laughter light and effortless. But he could see the steel beneath her polished exterior. She wasn't here to blend in. She was here to take over.
And for the first time in a long while, Rhys felt a flicker of unease.
He didn't like being challenged, and Melanie Scott was proving to be a formidable opponent.