Chapter 6
The morning of her return to Kane Industries dawned cold and clear. Tori stood before the full-length mirror in her safehouse apartment, methodically transforming herself into Victoria Cross. Every detail had been carefully chosen and rehearsed over the past weeks.
The Burberry suit was a masterpiece of subtle deception – expertly tailored to hint at wealth while suggesting someone who had recently needed to rebuild their wardrobe. The Johnet’s cut cleverly concealed her early pregnancy, while still maintaining a sleek, professional silhouette. Dark charcoal instead of black – because true old money knew black was for chauffeurs and waitstaff.
“Your accessories tell as much of a story as your clothes,” Elena reminded her, helping to fasten a vintage Cartier watch – subtly worn at the edges, suggesting an heirloom preserved through hard times. “Remember Victoria’s background: old money fallen on hard times, clawed her way back through sheer ruthlessness.”
Tori – no, Victoria now – nodded, applying a final touch of Chanel Rouge Allure in a shade just slightly darker than she would have chosen before. Her new face in the mirror looked dangerous, refined but sharp-edged. The dark hair made her modified features more dramatic, while the subtle makeup enhanced the aristocratic angles of her new bone structure.
“The credentials are ironclad,” Elena continued, handing her a sleek leather portfolio. “Harvard MBA, impressive track record in corporate restructuring, just enough mystery in your background to intrigue without raising red flags. John’s contacts planted all the necessary digital footprints – social media, professional networks, news mentions. Anyone who digs will find exactly what we want them to see.”
Victoria reviewed the documents one final time, though she’d memorized every detail weeks ago. The story had to be perfect, every potential question anticipated and answered. Her hands didn’t shake as she gathered her things – designer bag Celine, elegant but not flashy, portfolio and the grandmother’s ring now reimagined as a family heirloom from Victoria’s own past.
“Remember,” Elena said softly as they headed for the door, “you’re not just playing a part. Victoria Cross is a weapon, forged from everything they tried to destroy. Use that anger, that pain – but never let it control you.”
The drive to Kane Industries felt surreal. The familiar building rose before her, its glass and steel facade reflecting the morning sun just as it had countless times before. But now she was approaching it as a stranger, an outsider seeking entry into a world she had once ruled.
The lobby was exactly as she remembered, yet completely different from this new perspective. Employees hurried past, clutching coffee cups and briefcases, while security guards maintained their practiced vigilance. Victoria moved with calculated confidence, her heels clicking against the marble floor in a rhythm that drew just enough attention without seeming to seek it.
She was halfway to the reception desk when she spotted Selena. Her adopted sister emerged from an elevator, surrounded by her usual entourage of assistants and sycophants. The sight of her – perfectly groomed in a cream-colored Chanel suit, their grandmother’s ring glittering on her finger – made Victoria’s stomach clench with a mixture of rage and morning sickness.
Selena’s path would take her directly past where Victoria stood. Years of training kicked in as Victoria deliberately dropped her portfolio, scattering a few carefully chosen papers. The movement caught Selena’s eye, just as planned.
“Oh, let me help you with that,” Selena’s voice dripped with practiced charm as she paused, gesturing for an assistant to help gather the papers.
“Thank you,” Victoria replied, letting just a hint of inherited privilege color her tone. “I’m actually here to see you – Victoria Cross, your nine o’clock appointment.”
Recognition flickered in Selena’s eyes. “Ah yes, the restructuring consultant. You come highly recommended.” Her gaze sharpened, taking in every detail of Victoria’s appearance. “Though I don’t believe they mentioned how… striking you are.”
The compliment carried an undertone of assessment, like a predator evaluating potential competition. Victoria smiled, letting a calculated edge of steel show through. “You’re too kind. I look forward to our discussion about Kane Industries’ future.”
The interview in Selena’s office was an exercise in careful manipulation. Victoria presented her credentials and ideas with precise confidence, while Selena probed for weaknesses with the skill of a practiced social assassin.
“Your approach to corporate restructuring is… interesting,” Selena remarked, studying a proposal Victoria had prepared. “Almost reminiscent of strategies I’ve seen before.”
“Great minds often think alike,” Victoria replied smoothly. “Though I prefer to focus on innovation rather than imitation.”
Selena leaned forward slightly, her perfectly made-up eyes narrowing. “Something about you seems… familiar. Have we met before?”
The moment they’d prepared for. Victoria let her smile turn slightly enigmatic. “I get that a lot. Must be one of those faces. Though I’m certain I’d remember meeting someone of your… reputation.”
The word carried just enough weight to make Selena’s smile tighten fractionally. Power play initiated.
“Your reputation precedes you as well, Ms. Cross,” Selena’s voice took on a subtle edge. “Particularly your handling of the Richardson merger last year. Some would call your methods… aggressive.”
“I prefer ‘effective,'” Victoria countered, letting her own voice cool several degrees. “The corporate world isn’t a place for the faint of heart, as I’m sure you know.”
The threat lingered in the air between them, wrapped in layers of professional courtesy. Selena’s smile never wavered, but something dangerous flickered in her eyes. “Indeed. Though sometimes the most devastating attacks come from directions we least expect.”
Before Victoria could respond, a knock at the door interrupted their verbal sparring. Her heart nearly stopped as Damian entered, looking devastating in a charcoal suit that reminded her painfully of their last morning together.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said, his voice sending unwanted shivers down her spine. “I heard we had an interesting prospect for the restructuring team.”
Selena’s expression softened as she looked at him, and Victoria felt a fresh wave of nausea that had nothing to do with pregnancy. “Damian, please meet Victoria Cross. She has some rather… intriguing ideas about the company’s future direction.”
Damian turned his full attention to Victoria, and she felt the full force of that magnetic gaze that had once captivated her completely. She forced herself to meet his eyes with professional interest, nothing more.
“Perhaps a tour of the facilities would help Ms. Cross better understand our operations,” he suggested, though his eyes never left her face. “I have some time now, if you’re available?”
The next hour was an exquisite form of torture. Walking beside Damian through the corridors of Kane Industries, listening to his voice explain operations she knew intimately, feeling his occasional glances like physical touches. Her body remembered everything – the strength in his hands, the warmth of his smile, the tenderness that had all been lies.
He showed her the trading floor, the executive offices, the conference rooms where she had once held court as his wife. In each space, she felt his attention on her, studying her reactions, measuring her responses.
“You seem very comfortable here,” he remarked as they paused by a window overlooking the city. “As if you belong.”
Victoria let herself smile slightly. “I appreciate environments where power is exercised efficiently. Kane Industries has a… fascinating history of that.”
“Indeed,” he moved slightly closer, and she caught the familiar scent of his cologne – the same one he’d worn the night he tried to kill her. “Though history has a way of repeating itself if we’re not careful.”
Their eyes met, and Victoria saw something flicker in his gaze – a shadow of recognition quickly replaced by careful assessment. She held his look for precisely two seconds before glancing away professionally.
As she gathered her things to leave, having secured the position with a combination of genuine expertise and carefully crafted charm, she felt Damian’s eyes following her to the elevator.
“Something about her seems familiar,” he murmured to himself, too quietly for anyone else to hear. But Victoria’s enhanced senses – honed by weeks of training – caught the words and she smiled slightly as the elevator doors closed.
Let him wonder. Let him feel that nagging sense of recognition. It would make the eventual revelation all the sweeter.
