His Vengeance?

PROLOGUE

The grand ballroom of the prestigious Blackwood Hotel was alive with laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft murmur of elegant conversation. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the finely dressed guests, each a pillar of the city's elite. Tonight was no ordinary night—it was a homecoming gala for Thaddeus Blackwood, the prodigal son who had returned after a decade abroad.

Thad stood by the entrance, surveying the room with a mix of detachment and anticipation. His tailored tuxedo fit perfectly, but the icy resolve in his eyes set him apart from the jovial crowd. He spotted familiar faces, old acquaintances who greeted him warmly, unaware of the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.

As Thad moved further into the room, a sudden hush fell over the crowd. Heads turned, and he followed their gaze to the center of the ballroom. There, surrounded by admirers, was Aurelle Davenport. She was as stunning as ever, her red gown clinging to her curves, a glittering necklace resting against her collarbone. Her laugh, melodic and enchanting, echoed through the hall, sending a shiver down Adrian’s spine.

It had been ten years since he'd last seen her—the woman who had once been the center of his world, only to shatter it with a single act of betrayal. His heart clenched at the memory, but he steeled himself. Tonight was about control and retribution, not old wounds.

Unwilling to avoid the inevitable, Thad made his way towards Aurelle. As he approached, their eyes met, and the laughter died on her lips. For a brief moment, the room seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of them in a suspended moment of recognition and tension.

“Deus,” Isabella breathed, her voice barely audible over the buzz of the crowd. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“Neither did I,” Thaddeus replied coolly. “But it seems fate has a twisted sense of humor.”

Before Aurelle could respond, the air in the room shifted. The sound of heavy footsteps and raised voices interrupted the charged silence between them. A man, tall and menacing, barged into the center of the ballroom, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the interruption,” the man declared, his voice booming. “But I have a matter of great importance that needs addressing.”

The crowd parted, revealing the intruder more clearly. Adrian’s eyes narrowed as he recognized Naxle Hauris, a notorious businessman with a reputation for ruthless tactics. He was also known to have a history with Isabella.

“Nax, what is the meaning of this?” Aurelle demanded, her composure slipping.

Naxle smirked, his gaze locking onto Thaddeus. “I see you’ve made quite the return, Thaddeus. Welcome home. But don’t get too comfortable. You see, there’s a debt that needs settling.”

Thad felt a chill run down his spine as the pieces began to fall into place. This was no random confrontation. Naxle was here for a reason, and that reason was tied to the past Thaddeus was trying to reclaim and the future he intended to seize.

“Whatever your business is, take it elsewhere,” Thad said, his voice low and threatening.

“Oh, but this is the perfect setting,” Naxle replied. “A homecoming gala for the city’s golden boy. What better place to reveal the skeletons in your closet?”

The room buzzed with curiosity and unease as Thaddeus and Naxle squared off. Aurelle caught between them, looked torn and afraid. The past was colliding with the present in a spectacle none of them had anticipated, and the night was far from over.
Thad’s mind raced. This unexpected confrontation had the potential to unravel his carefully laid plans. But he couldn’t back down now. Not when everything he had worked for was at stake.

“Let’s take this outside,” Thaddeus suggested, his voice hard as steel.

Naxle grinned. “Lead the way, Blackwood. Let’s see if you’re as strong as the rumors say.”

With the crowd’s eyes on them, Thad and Nax made their way towards the exit, leaving Aurelle standing alone in the center of the ballroom, her heart pounding with dread..

🥀HIS VENGEANCE?