Chapter 17
The new neighborhood was quiet, tucked away in a gated community with security cameras at every corner. Victoria’s house was smaller than her previous one but much safer. Jonathan and Tobias had insisted on the move after the suicide crash, and while she had protested at first, the sheer tension in their eyes convinced her to agree.
Elena had moved into a nearby apartment to stay close, making herself accessible for anything Victoria might need. Between Elena’s steady presence and the added layers of surveillance, Victoria felt safer—but not entirely secure. She knew Selena and Damian too well to believe they’d back off that easily.
Tonight, however, was not about hiding. It was about reclaiming her power.
The annual Kane Industries Gala was a cornerstone event for the company, one that Victoria knew she couldn’t skip. It was the perfect opportunity to show strength, to remind everyone—including Damian and Selena—that she was not just a survivor but someone they should fear.
Victoria stood in front of her full-length mirror, examining her reflection. She wore a custom black velvet gown that hugged her body in all the right places, its plunging neckline balanced by a high slit that revealed just enough leg to be tantalizing but tasteful. The gown shimmered faintly under the light, giving her an almost ethereal glow. Her hair was styled into loose waves, cascading over her shoulders, and her makeup was flawless, with a bold red lip that commanded attention.
“Perfect,” Elena said from behind her, breaking Victoria’s thoughts. “You look like you own the world.”
Victoria turned to face her, a small, confident smirk tugging at her lips. “Because I do.”
Elena grinned. “That’s the spirit. Now, let’s get going before I start crying at how beautiful you look.”
The gala venue was dazzling, a grand ballroom with crystal chandeliers and gold accents that screamed luxury. Victoria entered the room with all the poise and grace of a queen. Heads turned as she walked in, her heels clicking against the polished floor, each step deliberate and commanding.
She scanned the room, her emerald eyes sharp as they searched for familiar faces. Her entrance had caused a ripple of whispers, and she could feel the weight of everyone’s gaze.
“Victoria,” Elena whispered, nudging her gently. “To your left.”
Victoria turned her head slightly, and there they were—Damian and Selena.
Selena looked as polished as ever in a silver gown, her arm looped possessively through Damian’s. She was laughing, throwing her head back in an exaggerated gesture that Victoria instantly recognized as performative. But it wasn’t Selena that caught her attention—it was Damian.
He looked every bit the devil she remembered: sharp black tuxedo, his dark hair slicked back, and those piercing eyes that had always been a mix of danger and allure. For a moment, Victoria’s chest tightened, but she quickly pushed the feeling away.
Damian’s laughter stopped abruptly when his gaze landed on her. His entire body seemed to stiffen, and his hand dropped Selena’s as if it burned him.
Victoria smiled faintly, her expression cool and collected as she moved further into the room.
“Typical,” Elena murmured under her breath. “Did you see how fast he let her go? Pathetic.”
Victoria didn’t respond, her eyes still on Damian as he stepped away from Selena, who was now glaring daggers in her direction.
“Victoria,” Damian called, his voice low but clear.
Victoria tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a faint smile. She didn’t move toward him but instead made her way to a group of board members, greeting them warmly as though Damian and Selena didn’t exist.
“Playing hard to get?” Elena teased quietly, her eyes flicking between Victoria and Damian.
Victoria smirked. “Just showing him that I’m not afraid to make him irrelevant.”
Damian, however, wasn’t going to let it go. He excused himself from Selena’s side and began weaving through the crowd toward Victoria. Selena followed, her expression darkening with each step.
“Here we go,” Elena muttered, stepping slightly closer to Victoria, ready to intervene if necessary.
Damian reached her first, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made Victoria’s stomach flip—not with fear, but with anger.
“Victoria,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “You look… stunning.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow, her smirk unwavering. “I know.”
Selena arrived a second later, her voice dripping with venom. “What a surprise to see you here, Victoria. I didn’t think you’d be brave enough to show your face.”
Victoria turned her gaze to Selena, her smirk growing. “Bravery has never been a problem for me. Unlike some people, I don’t rely on others to fight my battles.”
Selena’s eyes narrowed, but Damian interrupted before she could respond. “Selena, give us a moment.”
Selena blinked, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” Damian said sharply, not even looking at her.
Selena hesitated, her face a mix of shock and fury, before she spun on her heel and stalked away, muttering something under her breath.
“Subtle,” Victoria commented dryly, taking a sip of champagne from a passing server’s tray.
Damian stepped closer, lowering his voice. “We need to talk.”
“Do we?” Victoria replied coolly, her gaze flicking over him. “Because the last time we talked, you tried to convince me that you weren’t the man who tried to kill me.”
Damian winced, but his expression quickly hardened. “Victoria, you know—”
“Excuse me,” a deep, velvety voice interrupted, cutting Damian off.
Both of them turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man with a perfectly tailored suit and dark, smoldering eyes. He had a presence that immediately commanded attention, his confidence radiating like heat.
The stranger’s lips curved into a charming smile as his gaze landed on Victoria. “What is an angel like you doing on earth?”
Victoria blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected interruption. Damian’s jaw tightened, his hands clenching at his sides as he stared at the man.
Elena’s eyes widened, and she leaned in toward Victoria, whispering, “Who the hell is that?”
