The pendant gleamed like firelight under the morning sun. It was no ordinary trinket. It had once belonged to Seth Cruise, Robert's late father.
Robert remembered holding that pendant as a boy, back when his father told him stories of legacy, betrayal, and loyalty. When the York family cast them out, that pendant was lost or so he believed.
Now, it was on the neck of a stranger.
"I don't have all day," the woman said, her voice calm but commanding. "Get in."
Robert hesitated for half a second, then opened the car door and slid into the plush leather seat. The scent of vanilla and leather filled the interior. The driver silently pulled off into traffic as the tinted windows rolled up.
Robert glanced sideways at the mysterious woman. Her beauty was undeniable, polished, lethal and powerful. She looked like a CEO who runs the most expensive company in town.
"You know my name," Robert said finally. "But I don't know yours."
She removed her sunglasses, to reveal sexy green eyes that glittered with magnificence. "Eliana Rowe."
Eliana Rowe was the iron-fisted CEO of Vanguard Holdings, a rival to the York family empire. Successful in business and negotiations. She'd been the thorn in the York family's side for a decade.
"Why are you wearing my father's pendant?"
She turned to him, her voice silky and firm. "Because it was given to me on the day we got betrothed. I was promised to marry you."
"What!?" Robert exclaimed in disbelief.
Eliana's lips curved into a soft, nostalgic smile. "We were too young to remember. But when our families were allies, there was a vow made between the Cruises and the Rowes. A union meant to bind our legacies together. Your father placed this pendant in my hand and told me, 'One day, this will lead you back to him.'"
Robert's heart pounded. "You knew my father?"
"Knew him?" Eliana's lips curled into a smile. "He saved my life once. And when your family turned on him, I swore I'd repay the favor."
Robert couldn't process it all at once. "Why do you come to me now?"
Eliana leaned forward, her eyes locking onto his. "Because the same people who ruined your father tried to ruin mine too. Evelyn. And now, they're targeting you. But together we can destroy them."
Robert stared at her. The rage in his chest burned hotter than ever. He'd spent years being humiliated by the Browns, by society, and now by the very blood that was supposed to protect him. If Eliana was telling the truth, she might be the ally he needed.
"I don't trust you," he said slowly.
"I don't need your trust," she replied. "I need your cooperation."
Robert exhaled deeply. "Fine."
A slow smile spread across her lips. "We need to talk, but not here. Let me take you somewhere special."
Ten minutes later, the Maybach pulled into the private entrance of The Crescent Ivy, a luxury rooftop restaurant overlooking downtown New Coast. The kind of place you needed reservations six months in advance and where a single meal could cost a working man his entire month's salary.
The maître d' saw Eliana and immediately bowed. "Ms. Rowe, your usual table is ready."
Robert followed her through the marble-tiled dining area, past the elite of North Coast: billionaires, celebrities, foreign dignitaries. They were seated at a VVIP table, shielded by elegant ferns and a panoramic view of the skyline and downtown.
As they settled in, Eliana ordered a glass of 1976 Romanée-Conti and two plates of Wagyu tartare.
Robert looked at the view, but his thoughts were on Jenna, the blocked accounts, and Evelyn's venomous smirk.
"I'll talk with you," he said. "But first, I need money now to pay for my sister's surgery."
Eliana nodded thoughtfully. "Consider it done. After this meal, I'll wire five hundred thousand dollars to the hospital. You don't owe me anything. Yet."
Robert frowned. "So what do you want to talk about?"
She paused for a moment. "You and I were supposed to be husband and wife, Robert. That was the promise your father made to unite the Rowes and the Cruises, and build a legacy strong enough to crush our enemies. I expect you to keep to that promise."
Robert stiffened slightly. "That was a lifetime ago."
"Perhaps," Eliana said softly. "But some promises are worth keeping."
Robert was about to respond when he heard a familiar shrill laugh across the restaurant. He turned toward the sound and his blood ran cold.
At the opposite end of the rooftop, seated at a rose-covered booth, was Roseline Brown, his ex-wife. Her hand rested on the arm of a tall, smooth-looking man in a navy suit. Preston Vaughn, a notorious real estate mogul and womanizer. They were sipping champagne and laughing like newlyweds.
Roseline tossed her hair over her shoulder, clearly trying to impress Preston. But when her eyes wandered and met with Robert's, her smile vanished.
Her jaw dropped. Robert Cruise… here?
Not in dirty clothes and working as a cleaner. But in an expensive black jacket, seated across from none other than Eliana Rowe, the most powerful woman in New Coast finance.
Preston noticed her sudden shift. "What is it, babe?"
Roseline tried to compose herself, but her voice betrayed her. "That's my ex-husband."
Preston looked at Robert and gave a mocking smirk. "The one your family called a rat? Didn't he cry on your porch and beg you not to divorce him?"
Robert disregarded them and relaxed back in his seat. He picked up the wine glass and gave her a mocking toast.
Roseline's face flushed with embarrassment and jealousy. Her carefully constructed world started to crumble. She had stomped on him, humiliated him and tossed him out like trash. Yet here he was, dining with New Coast royalty while she was with a man who changed girlfriends like neckties.
Eliana leaned over to Robert and whispered, "Friend of yours?"
"Just someone who taught me how fast people can change," Robert replied, lips curling.
"Mmmm! I like that," she said. "Let's give her a little show, shall we?"
Without waiting, Eliana reached across the table and gently placed her hand over Robert's, flashing her dazzling smile toward Roseline and Preston.
Roseline choked on her champagne.
Robert looked down at their joined hands, then back at his ex-wife. It was not necessary but it felt satisfying.
When the lunch ended, Eliana stood to take her leave. "I'll have the transfer made in twenty minutes. After that, we can begin our marriage preparation."
Robert nodded and soon after, his gaze was fixed on Roseline, who was now glaring at him like a wounded predator.
As Eliana and Robert prepared to leave, Roseline opened her mouth to say something, but they were already walking away like couples.
Roseline held Preston's arm tighter, but her eyes never left Robert's retreating figure. She felt jealous and guilty at the same time.
Meanwhile, Robert had just taken the first step on a path that would make every single one of them regret ever turning their backs on him.