Five Years Ago — New York City
Rain poured over the streets of Manhattan as Isabella Rose stood outside the tallest building in the city.
Blackwood Tower.
The headquarters of the most powerful business empire in America.
And the home of the man she hated more than anyone else.
Adrian Blackwood.
At twenty-eight, he was a billionaire feared by businessmen and admired by society. His name appeared on magazine covers, business headlines, and the lips of people who dreamed of becoming as powerful as him.
But to Isabella, he was nothing more than a monster in an expensive suit.
She tightened her grip on the newspaper in her hand.
BLACKWOOD GROUP ACQUIRES CONTROLLING SHARES IN ROSE CORPORATION.
Her family's company.
Her father's entire life's work.
Gone.
"Miss, you need an appointment," the receptionist said.
"I need to speak with Adrian Blackwood."
"Mr. Blackwood doesn't accept unexpected visitors."
"Then tell him Isabella Rose is here."
The receptionist hesitated after hearing her surname.
"Please wait."
Five minutes later, a tall man approached.
"Miss Rose? I'm Daniel Carter, Mr. Blackwood's assistant. Follow me."
Isabella stepped into the private elevator.
Her heart was racing, but she refused to show fear.
She had come for answers.
And she wasn't leaving without them.
88th Floor — Blackwood Tower
The elevator doors opened.
A magnificent office stretched before her, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan.
A man stood beside the window.
Black suit.
Broad shoulders.
One hand in his pocket.
He didn't turn around when she entered.
"Miss Rose," he said calmly. "I wasn't expecting you."
Isabella walked forward.
"Then you should learn to expect trouble."
Adrian slowly turned.
His dark eyes settled on her face.
"Interesting. Your father has sent his daughter to negotiate now?"
"Don't you dare bring my father into this!"
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Then why are you here?"
"Why are you destroying my family?"
He walked toward his desk and picked up a document.
"Your father's company was failing. I made a business decision."
"By stealing everything he built?"
"Business isn't charity, Miss Rose."
Isabella stared at him in disbelief.
"You're heartless."
Adrian gave a faint smile.
"And you're emotional. Neither quality will help you in the business world."
She stepped closer.
"One day, you'll lose everything you've taken from us."
For the first time, something flickered in Adrian's eyes.
He leaned slightly forward.
"Be careful, Isabella. Revenge is an expensive game."
She met his gaze.
"Then I'll become rich enough to afford it."
Without another word, she turned and walked out.
Adrian watched her disappear behind the glass doors.
"Daniel."
"Yes, sir?"
"Find out everything about Isabella Rose."
"Everything?"
Adrian looked at the closed door.
"Everything."
Rose Mansion — 11:30 PM
Isabella returned home to find her father sitting alone in his study.
Richard Rose looked exhausted.
"Dad?"
He quickly closed a folder.
"Isabella. Where have you been?"
"Blackwood Tower. I confronted Adrian."
Richard stood immediately.
"You did what?"
"Someone needs to stop him!"
"Listen to me carefully. Stay away from that man."
"Why? What are you hiding?"
Richard looked at her for a long moment.
Then he walked toward an old wooden cabinet and unlocked a drawer.
Inside was a small black envelope.
He handed it to her.
"Keep this somewhere safe."
"What is it?"
"Something that could change everything."
"Dad, you're frightening me."
Richard held her hands.
"Promise me you won't trust Adrian Blackwood. No matter what happens."
Isabella frowned.
"Why do you keep saying that?"
Before he could answer, his phone rang.
He checked the screen.
His expression changed instantly.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then he whispered:
"How did you find out?"
He listened for several seconds before ending the call.
"Is everything okay?" Isabella asked.
Richard forced a smile.
"Everything is fine, sweetheart. Go upstairs."
But Isabella noticed his trembling hands.
Something was terribly wrong.
The Following Morning
Isabella woke up to the sound of her phone ringing.
It was her father's driver.
"Miss Isabella, please come to the hospital immediately."
Her heart dropped.
"Why? What's happened to my father?"
There was a pause.
"Your father has been admitted. Please hurry."
She rushed downstairs and left without even changing her clothes.
But when she reached the hospital, the doctors delivered the news she had never imagined hearing.
Richard Rose was dead.
Isabella stood frozen.
"No... that's impossible."
A nurse approached her.
"Miss Rose, your father asked us to give you something."
It was a small silver key.
Along with it was a folded piece of paper.
Three handwritten words:
TRUST NO ONE.
Tears filled Isabella's eyes.
Her phone suddenly vibrated.
An unknown number had sent her a message.
Your father's death was not an accident.
Before she could respond, another message arrived.
Adrian Blackwood knows the truth.
Isabella slowly looked toward the hospital entrance.
A black luxury car was parked outside.
Its windows were tinted.
Someone was watching her.
Blackwood Mansion — Same Time
Adrian stood in his private office, staring at a photograph.
It showed his father standing beside Richard Rose twenty years earlier.
His assistant Daniel entered.
"Sir, we have a problem."
Adrian didn't look up.
"What is it?"
"Richard Rose is dead."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"How?"
"The hospital hasn't released the details."
Daniel placed another document on the desk.
"And Isabella has something her father left behind. A silver key."
Adrian finally turned.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir."
For several seconds, the billionaire remained silent.
Then he picked up his phone.
"Find Isabella."
Daniel nodded.
"Should I bring her here?"
Adrian's voice turned cold.
"No. Protect her. But don't let anyone know we're involved."
Daniel looked confused.
"Sir, why are you protecting the daughter of the man who—"
"Because," Adrian interrupted, "her father was the only person who knew what really happened twenty years ago."
He turned toward the window.
Outside, the city continued as if nothing had changed.
But Adrian knew better.
The past had finally returned.
And this time, it had Isabella Rose's face.
Meanwhile — Hospital Parking Lot
Isabella entered a taxi, clutching the silver key.
She wiped her tears and looked at the message again.
Adrian Blackwood knows the truth.
Her sadness slowly turned into anger.
She opened her father's black envelope.
Inside was a photograph, a bank document, and a handwritten note.
The note contained only one sentence:
If you want justice, find the Blackwood family secret.
Isabella stared at the photograph.
Then she whispered:
"Adrian Blackwood, you destroyed my family."
Her eyes hardened.
"Now it's my turn."
She had no idea that the man she wanted revenge against was already planning to bring her into his world.
And one day, she would wear his wedding ring.