“Mommy, wake up! We already landed!”

Alexa woke up, only to be met by a pair of huge brown eyes. She immediately smiled as soon as she felt Ariana’s chubby hands embracing her. It’s been five years since she divorced Zane, and now, their child has grown into a smart girl who looks exactly like her father.

“I’m awake, Ari,” she chuckled. “Are you excited to see Uncle James?”

The little girl bounced on her seat, clapping her hands. “Yes, I am! He also told me he got me gifts!”

She softly hummed to herself as they prepared to leave her private jet. A business conference invited Starlight, prompting her to return to X and assume the role of CEO of the global company. If she only had other people to take care of Ari, she would’ve left her for a bit overseas, but James told her that he was starting to be unable to handle all of the business affairs and was in need of her help.

If there was one thing she dreaded about coming back here, it must be the fact that Zane might be present at the conference too. It had been five years, and she rarely listened to the news, but her Starlight Entertainment and his Alpha Entertainment had been close rivals for a long while now. She and James had been working hard for the past years to make their company better than his, even if it meant going against him. Meeting him was inevitable, but she feared that she might not yet be able to handle seeing him once again.

“Miss Havencourt,” James greeted as she took Ari from her arms. “I’m glad you had a safe trip.”

“Are you glad that we arrived safely or that you can take a bit of a break now?” she teased, making James grunt.

“I mean, my wedding’s next month, Miss Havencourt. At this point, my fiancée might think that I’m toying with her…”

She patted his back, trying to console her sulking assistant. She was glad that he had helped her during the past five years. It was just right to reward him for being loyal to her.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to give you a proper vacation so you can focus on your wedding preparations.” She lightly pinched Ari’s cheek. “Don’t forget to make Ari your flower girl!”

“Of course, I will!” James hesitated for a bit. “By the way, the conference…”

“I’ll be attending. Like I told you, I didn’t go back here for nothing.”

“But Miss Alexa, Mr. Williams would be one of the guests too…”

“So?” She shrugged. “It’s been five years. I’m sure he has moved on by now.” She noticed the sudden shift in James’s mood. “Why, is there something wrong?”

“Well, my sources say that he’s been actively investigating the CEO of Starlight. I managed to pay a few people to keep their mouths shut, but—”

“Are you afraid that he might tarnish my reputation?” Alexa snickers. “I’m not the same weak Alexa that he knew, James. Don’t worry about him.”

“I’m just worried about what he might do if ever he learns about the identity of his rival,” James lamented. “After all, we’ve been stealing a lot of projects and artists from Alpha Entertainment.”

Alexa shrugs. “It’s not my fault that Starlight offers better than his agency. Don’t worry about Zane, James. He’s the least of my concerns for now.”

She managed to make him relax, but deep inside her heart, Alexa knew that James was right. Zane might be keeping a close eye on her now. It won’t take long for him to learn about Ari, too.

He’s an only child, and Helen Williams had been desperate for a grandchild. If he ever learns that he has a daughter, what would be his reaction? Would he care, or would he try to take Ari away from her?

She didn’t want to know.

“How’s my father, by the way?” she softly asked, changing the topic.

“The Havencourts haven’t been in good financial standing ever since you left, Miss Alexa. Miss Sydney had been splurging on designer goods but barely landed on well-paying movie roles… Should we send a—”

“There’s no need,” she immediately said. “They already cut ties with me. It’s not like I’m desperate to be a part of their family.”

She can’t help but grimace every time she remembers her last interaction with her father. It has been years, but she couldn’t help but feel hurt over his bias towards her. Sydney stirred up trouble when she didn’t even do anything wrong to her.

But what can she do? Damage has been done, and she can’t undo it.

“Let’s have lunch first in the hotel where they will be holding the conference. Ari’s hungry. After that, I will get ready for the event,” she tells James as he places Ari in the backseat. “Oh, and book us a room upstairs so she can sleep.”

She was occupied for the rest of the trip, that James startled her after he opened the door for them. After he got a table for them and their servants, she excused herself to wash her face for a little bit.

Maybe deep inside her heart, she still felt troubled by the life she left five years ago.

Alexa sighed as she turned on the faucet, before lightly splashing her face with cold water. She was deep in thought when the sound of heels clicking on the marble floor caught her attention. It had been five years, but that scent must’ve been so deeply ingrained in her mind that she could recognize it immediately.

Janna Smith?

She hurriedly dried her face and attempted to leave the restroom, but it seemed as if luck wasn’t in her favor. The door swung open before she could leave, and she was met by an equally shocked angelic face of the actress her ex-husband loved dearly. She was wearing a lovely white dress that complemented her face.

“Alexa? Oh my god, is that you?” her soft voice echoed as she tried to touch her by the arm. “I haven’t seen you around since the divorce…”

She tried to hide it, but Alexa could sense the subtle mockery hidden in her words. She laughed in her mind. This was the Janna she remembered, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Alexa crossed her arms and proudly looked at her. “Our worlds are vastly different, Miss Smith. It’ll be impossible for us to meet after I divorced Zane.”

Janna tilted her head. “Oh, is that so? Maybe you can meet him today. Actually, we’re here for the business conference.” She looked at her up and down. “But what about you? I heard Mr. Havencourt… disowned you.”

She gritted her teeth and tried to hold back her anger as she smiled. “I’m here for the conference too, Miss Smith. So please, if you must excuse me—”

“Wait a damn minute, we’re not yet done talking,” she said as she grabbed her arm. “You’re too full of yourself. Do you think you’re still Mrs. Williams?”

“I don’t need to be Zane’s wife to be above you, Janna,” she mocked her. “Unlike you, who so coveted my position before, I can manage on my own. Well, I guess you’re that kind, huh? Picking people’s trash.”

Janna’s face reddened for a second, but she calmed down before letting go of her arm. “Trash? Zane’s the richest in this city. It’s not like he’s not a good catch. Besides, you’re the one who stole him for me, Alexandra.”

“Ha! Then I already gave him back to you. There’s no need to harass me, Janna. Oh, and please do let me know when you’re going to marry him. I’ll make sure to send my condolences.”

Janna just laughed as she subtly flashed her diamond engagement ring to her. Alexa rolled her eyes. She must be thinking that she’s still affected by whatever’s going on between them.

“Oh, I will. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to invite you too and whoever you’re seeing right now.”

She chuckled. “Do you really think I need a man to be able to be here, Janna?”

“Oh, dear. Let’s be realistic. You’re nothing but a spoiled heiress who didn’t even lift a finger her entire life. It’s impossible for you to be invited to this conference unless you’re seeing someone powerful.”

She couldn’t help but feel amused by her statement. They must still be thinking that she’s the same old Alexandra Havencourt who’s weak and incompetent. She couldn’t wait to see their faces as soon as they learned who they were dealing with.

“You’re right, maybe I slept around to be in this position. But weren’t you the same?”

She walked past her, leaving her stunned. But Janna isn’t someone who would back down, and Alexa knew that. She immediately stepped away when Janna tried to grab her arm, making her fall on the floor.

“Your old tricks won’t work on me, Miss Smith.”

“Oh, yeah?” Janna smirked while wincing in pain. She glanced behind Alexa, and then her face immediately contorted into a pitiful expression.

“Zane! I swear I was just greeting her, but she… she pushed me!”

Her feet felt cold as soon as she heard that name. After five years…

His baritone voice sent shivers down her spine as he walked closer to see what was going on.

“After five years, you haven’t changed, Alexandra Havencourt.”