Savannah stepped into the Arden estate, her presence sending ripples through the grand halls that had once belonged to her mother. She was home, yet it felt like enemy territory. And waiting for her were the vultures who had feasted on her downfall—her father's mistress, Vivian Laurent, and the woman's beloved daughter, Chloe.
Vivian had slithered her way into the Arden family under the guise of a devoted secretary. With her carefully cultivated charm, she had seduced Savannah's father, becoming his mistress and, later, his wife. Savannah's memories flooded with the countless times Vivian had humiliated her mother, ensuring Eleanor's influence waned while she elevated her own status. Chloe, her half-sister, had followed in her mother's footsteps—conniving, manipulative, and always playing the victim.
As Savannah entered the grand sitting room, she found them draped in luxury, as if they had been born to the wealth that had never been theirs to claim.
Vivian smirked, sipping her wine. "Well, well. The prodigal daughter returns. Did you enjoy your little adventure, Savannah? Or should I say, the soon-to-be ex-Mrs. Stark?"
Chloe giggled, flipping her perfect curls over her shoulder. "Oh yes, father told us the news. You're officially divorced as of this morning. Weston wasted no time, did he? Not that I blame him." She leaned forward, eyes glittering with malice. "I mean, let's be honest, Savannah. You never deserved a man like Weston in the first place."
Savannah met their taunts with a cold smile, memories clicking into place. She remembered how Chloe had sabotaged her, whispering in Weston's ear, painting her as weak, boring, and unworthy. How she had conveniently appeared wherever Weston was, offering him everything Savannah supposedly lacked. She had always coveted what belonged to Savannah, and now, she was reveling in her supposed downfall.
But this time, Savannah wasn't the same woman they had toyed with.
"Is that so?" she mused, stepping further into the room, watching them shift uncomfortably at her confidence. "And yet, here I am, the rightful heir to Arden Group, while you're still clinging to the scraps my father hands you."
Vivian's smirk faltered, and Chloe's expression darkened. For years, they had played the victims, weaving their web of manipulation around Savannah's father. But Savannah wasn't playing by their rules anymore.
"Enjoy the luxuries while you can," Savannah said, her voice silk over steel. "Because soon, you'll have nothing left to claim." Arden Group had been torn from her mother's hands, driven into debt by her father's greed. But Esme was going to take it back—piece by piece. And the first step was reclaiming the remaining 28% from the man who had stolen everything from her.
Just then, the doors to the grand sitting room swung open, and a deep voice cut through the tense air. "Savannah, I assume you didn't come here just to throw empty threats."
Her father, Richard Arden, stood at the entrance, his expression unreadable. The years had aged him, but the arrogance in his eyes remained unchanged. He stepped forward, his gaze flickering between his wife and younger daughter before settling on Savannah with calculated wariness.
Savannah didn't hesitate. "I came to take back what belongs to me," she said, her voice unwavering. "I'm reclaiming my home, my assets, and most importantly, the 28% of Arden Group that you still hold."
A flicker of amusement danced in Richard's eyes. "And what makes you think I'll hand it over?"
Savannah leaned forward, her voice low but filled with venom. "Because I now have full control over my mother's estate, including the untouched emergency fund she safeguarded from you. I have the means to buy out your debt and ensure you're left with nothing. Either you hand over the shares willingly, or I'll make sure Arden Group falls completely—taking you and everything you've built with it."
Vivian gasped, her fingers clenching around her wine glass. Chloe's smug expression faltered, and she shot a glance at her father, waiting for his reaction. Richard's smirk slowly disappeared as realization settled in.
Savannah took a step closer. "You sold pieces of my mother's legacy to keep your reckless spending afloat. You let Weston Stark take the lion's share, thinking I'd never be able to fight back. But you miscalculated, Father. I don't need your permission to reclaim what is mine. I have the law, the leverage, and the resources. All I need now is for you to sign over the shares—or watch as I crush everything you hold dear."
The room fell into silence. Richard's jaw tensed, but he knew the truth. Savannah held all the power now, and for the first time in her life, she saw something in his eyes she had never seen before—uncertainty.
"You have twenty-four hours to decide," she said smoothly, turning on her heel. "After that, I won't be so generous."
With that, Savannah strode out of the room, not sparing a glance at the three stunned faces she left behind.