THE HEIRESS REVENGE

CHAPTER 2

Hours later, Aurora sat in her study, a space that reflected her mind. It was sleek, calculated, and utterly devoid of clutter. The room was dimly lit, the glow of a fireplace casting beautiful shadows across the walls. At the centre of the room stood a large board filled with photos, articles, and documents. Every piece of information she had collected over the years about Julian Blackwood was pinned there.

Aurora's piercing gaze lingered on the photograph of a man in his late forties, his silver-streaked hair and sharp suit gave an air of authority. Julian had built an empire on the ruins of her family. He had not only taken their fortune but destroyed their name, leaving a six-year-old girl with nothing but a memory of what her life had been.

She picked up a news article from the table, one of many detailing Blackwood Industries' recent success. Julian Blackwood was a celebrated tycoon and a philanthropist lauded for his contributions to society. But Aurora knew the truth behind that polished exterior. She had seen the monster beneath the mask.

Her jaw tightened as she scanned the headlines. Blackwood Industries was holding steady, but cracks were starting to show. Their expansion faced unexpected setbacks. Their tech division was haemorrhaging money. Aurora had made sure of it. From the shadows, she had orchestrated small disruptions, enough to weaken the empire but not enough to draw attention. Now, she would deliver the killing blow.

"Miss Wynter," Miss Lee's voice broke the silence. She stood at the door, her expression as composed as ever. "The rest of the documents you requested have arrived. Shall I bring them in?"

"Leave them on the desk," Aurora said, her tone cool. "And clear my schedule for tomorrow. I want to visit Blackwood Industries, and then Miss Harriet."

Miss Lee blinked, surprised for the first time in years. "Do you think that's wise? They might recognize you."

Aurora smiled, a slow, dangerous curve of her lips. "They won't. Not yet. Besides, I'll only take a look from a distance."

Miss Lee hesitated but nodded, leaving the room quietly. Aurora leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a brief moment. Her past was no longer a burden; it was a weapon. And she intended to use it.

The fire crackled softly as she opened her laptop, her fingers playing across the keys. She pulled up her files on Blackwood Industries, her mind racing with plans. Every move she made from now on would be calculated and deliberate. She would infiltrate his world, gain his trust, and dismantle him piece by piece.

Twenty years ago, the Wynter family was the epitome of wealth, grace, and influence in New York City. Waren Wynter and his wife, Sylvia, were admired and respected by everyone who mattered. Their names were whispered with reverence at high-society galas, and their presence commanded attention in every boardroom they entered. The Wynters had worked hard to secure their place as the third most powerful family in New York, and their lives seemed picture-perfect.

Their daughter, Aurora, was the light of their lives. At six years old, she was a bubbly, bright-eyed little girl who wore her golden curls like a crown. Everyone called her "Princess Aurora," and her parents spared no expense to make her feel like one. She had a room filled with toys from every corner of the world, a closet bursting with the finest dresses, and a snow-white puppy she lovingly named Snowy. To Aurora, the world was a magical place, and her family was her kingdom.

Waren Wynter had a close associate, Julian Blackwood, who had once worked as a low-level employee in his company. Julian was clever, hardworking, and full of ambition. Warren, known for his generosity, had taken him under his wing, mentoring him and eventually promoting him to become a business partner. It was a decision Waren made with pride, believing he was helping a talented man rise to success. Julian was always around, attending family dinners, helping Aurora learn chess, and joining their private yacht trips. To the Wynters, Julian was more than just a partner; he was family.

But beneath Julian's charming smile and polite demeanour was a heart filled with envy and greed. He had watched Waren rise to power and felt a burning resentment. He wanted everything the Wynters had their wealth, their status, their influence. And he was willing to do whatever it took to claim it for himself.

One sunny morning, Waren sat at the head of the dining table, sipping his coffee as Aurora chattered on about her plans to build a treehouse for Snowy (her little puppy). Sylvia laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair from Aurora's face. It was a moment of pure bliss, a snapshot of a family that seemed untouchable.

That was the day Julian arrived with a proposition. He spoke in urgent tones about an investment opportunity that could double their fortune. He laid out documents filled with numbers, projections, and promises of untold wealth. Warren, trusting Julian as he always had, signed the papers without hesitation.

What Waren didn't know was that he had just signed away his shares, his life's work and everything he owned to Julian. Over the next few weeks, the betrayal began to unravel. Julian started making unilateral decisions, cutting Waren out of critical meetings and ignoring his calls. By the time Waren realized what had happened, it was too late. Julian had manipulated the system, gaining control of the company while leaving Waren powerless.

Then came the final blow. Julian framed Waren for money laundering, planting false evidence that implicated him in a financial scandal. The media descended like vultures, splashing headlines of "The Fall of Waren Wynter" across every newspaper and TV screen. Rumours of corruption and fraud spread like wildfire, tarnishing the family's once-spotless reputation.

Warren was devastated. He couldn't sleep, he could not eat, and could not bring himself to face the world. His empire, his legacy, everything was crumbling before his eyes, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.