The first strike wasn't loud.
It was a press release.
A small one—barely a blip on the radar.
"Former Rivera Group Co-CEO Elena Carter Launches Elysian Strategies: A Boutique Crisis Management Firm."
But within twenty-four hours, it was everywhere in the corporate whisper network.
⸻
"She's back?"
"Elysian? Who's backing it?"
"Wait—she was the real brains behind Rivera's media pivot, right?"
⸻
Behind the scenes, Elena moved fast.
Damian connected her with venture capitalists who needed silent revenge.
Ex-clients of Rivera Group who wanted better, swifter hands.
Disgruntled department heads who once worked under Adrian's ego.
She took them all.
⸻
Meanwhile, Adrian was too busy basking in his latest award—Top 40 CEOs Under 40—to notice the cracks forming.
Until the day one of Rivera's biggest clients canceled a long-standing retainer.
"No reason," the email read.
"Just exploring other options."
But everyone inside the company knew the name of that new option.
Elysian.
⸻
Adrian called a meeting.
"Find out who's behind this. I want names. Numbers. Blood if necessary."
His assistant glanced down, nervous.
"There's a rumor, sir… Elena Carter is involved."
Adrian's hand froze mid-air.
"Elena?" he repeated, almost as if tasting the name for the first time in months.
Then he laughed.
"She's playing businesswoman now? Cute."
But inside, a flicker of unease sparked.
Because he knew her.
And if Elena Carter was back?
She wasn't coming to play.
She was coming to win.