Chapter 6: We're Divorced, Reginald!

Reginald's POV

The Vanderbilt Estate was lit up. The usual crowd was there - rich Manhattan people drinking fancy champagne and pretending to care about classical music. Sure, they said they were here for my grandfather Richard's 82nd birthday. But really? They just wanted to network and gossip.

I stood by the upstairs window, watching black cars pull up one after another. Used to hate these parties. Now they're just part of the job.

"Sir." Adam showed up with his tablet. "Phoenix Group's CEO is coming tonight."

I took a sip of scotch. Finally. "Show them to the study when they get here."

"Yes, sir. Also..." Adam hesitated. "Miss. Drake is on her way."

Great. Just what I needed. Ever since the divorce hit the news, she'd been showing up everywhere.

"Have security stall her," I said. "I don't need her drama tonight."

"Already taken care of, sir." he paused and continued, "Sir, maybe Miss Drake could help distract from—"

"From Elena?" My voice cracked. "She's supposed to be in France, wasting her family's money at some spa."

What a joke. I'd spent five years looking for her. Hired the best private investigators money could buy. Nothing. Not one trace. It's like she'd vanished into thin air.

"About Miss Stewart—" Adam started.

"Save it." I couldn't take my eyes off her. I was about to change the topic when the crowd downstairs suddenly went quiet. I looked down and almost dropped my drink.

Elena was here. She walked in wearing a deep blue dress that made every head turn. This wasn't the same woman who left five years ago. That Elena was shy, always trying to please everyone. This one? All swagger.

The vultures moved in fast. Some rich woman with too much Botox took the first shot.

"Elena, sweetie!" Her fake voice made me cringe. "Heard France wasn't working out?"

Elena's smile was ice cold. She looked at the woman like she was nothing. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

Botox lady's face twitched. "Don't play dumb. Everyone knows you only got into the Vanderbilt family because of that drunk setup. Then you ran away to France like a coward."

My fists clenched. Even now, hearing them talk about her like that pissed me off.

"Trying to score points?" Elena shot back. "Save it for Vivian. She might actually care."

I couldn't help smiling. The old Elena would've never fought back like that.

"She's changed," Adam said quietly.

"Yeah, no kidding." I watched her work the room like she'd been doing it forever. When did she learn to handle people like that?

I started moving before I could think. Elena might be my ex, but she was still—

"Look at that," another woman sneered. "The gold-digger thinks she belongs here."

Elena turned with a fake smile. "Better a successful gold-digger than a bitter woman who couldn't even get a ring. How many times did he turn you down again?"

The crowd gasped. Time to step in.

"Let's go say hello," I told Adam.

Elena looked up. Those green eyes knocked the wind out of me. Last time I saw that look was the night she disappeared.

"Mr. Vanderbilt." Her voice was perfectly polite. Like we were strangers.

"Got some nerve showing up here." I made it loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Really?" She raised an eyebrow. "Going to stop me from wishing your grandfather happy birthday?"

"Did your family put you up to this? Running low on cash?"

"I'm not a Stewart anymore, Mr. Vanderbilt." Her smile was sharp. "No need to worry about that."

Five years of questions, and here she was, acting like we never happened. Like we were just two people at a party. Something in me snapped.

I grabbed her before she could scream, one hand over her mouth, and pulled her into a corner.

Elena struggled until I stopped her. I seized her hands and held them high above her head. "This isn't some game," I snapped. "You can't just walk in and out of Vanderbilt whenever you want."

"We're divorced, Reginald!" Elena shouted back, struggling against my grip. I could feel her trembling. "Five years! You have no right to treat me like this!"

"No right?" I laughed coldly. "That's rich, coming from the woman who drugged me."

At the mention of what happened five years ago, Elena's face paled slightly, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears.

My grip got tighter as memories flooded back. Every smile, every lie, every betrayal.

Ever since I took over Vanderbilt Group, I've controlled everything perfectly - both the family and the company. But Elena... she walked in and suddenly I was a mess again. I hated it. I hated how she made me feel.

I hated things I couldn't control. That was why I needed to keep her in check, even though I didn't like her.

Elena suddenly smiled seductively. "Oh, Mr. Vanderbilt," she said in that soft, sexy voice that drove me crazy. "You say I can't get to you, but look at you now."

My expression darkened as I roughly pushed her away.

She quickly put distance between us and sneered, "Still so rough after all these years, Mr. Vanderbilt."

I could see it now - the tears, the trembling - it was all an act. But knowing that didn't stop my heart from racing.

I straightened up, forcing my face to stay cold. "Cut the crap, Elena. Who the fuck do you think you are, waltzing back in here like nothing happened after disappearing for so long? What the hell are you really here for?"