The bar was dimly lit, its wooden-paneled walls infused with the faint scent of bourbon, mingling with the lingering traces of cigarette smoke in the air. Soft jazz played from the corner of the room, adding to the exclusive atmosphere. Only a handful of patrons occupied the bar—most of them appeared to be wealthy businessmen or individuals with hidden agendas.
Jessica sat at the farthest table, tucked away from prying eyes. A half-filled glass of wine sat before her, her fingers wrapped around its stem, tapping lightly against the glass in restless anticipation.
Across from her, a man dressed entirely in black sat with an air of quiet confidence. Shadows partially obscured his face, but his sharp gaze remained calculating. With a practiced motion, he reached inside his jacket and pulled out a stack of documents. He slid them across the table toward Jessica.
Without a word, she took them and began flipping through the first few pages. Her eyes scanned the details, her expression shifting as she absorbed the information.
“So, Alice Harper is the only daughter of Ferdinand Harper and Celle Harper…” she murmured, almost as if speaking to herself.
Her fingers traced the names on the paper, her mind racing to piece together the fragments of familiarity.
Jessica lifted her gaze, staring intently at the man before her. “That name… it sounds familiar.”
The man held her gaze, his expression unreadable. “Do you know Peoplez Group?” he asked.
Jessica narrowed her eyes before nodding. “That name rings a bell. A major company in technology and security.”
The man leaned in slightly. “Ferdinand Harper was its CEO. Ten years ago, he died in a car accident along with his wife. But the interesting part is… Ferdinand had gunshot wounds before the crash even happened.”
Jessica frowned. “Does this have anything to do with Greenice?” she asked, though deep down, she already knew the answer.
The man nodded slowly. “Yes. Ferdinand and his wife refused to cooperate with the Chairman. That… didn’t sit well with him.”
Jessica fell silent. The pieces of the puzzle were finally clicking into place. If Ferdinand Harper was killed for defying Greenice… and Alice was his daughter… then there was a very real possibility that Alice had her own motives for entering Aaron’s life.
Her grip on the wine glass tightened, her chest swelling with rage.
Alice wasn’t just some ordinary woman. She had a purpose.
Jessica swallowed hard, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. If Alice was after revenge, then Aaron could be in danger. And Aaron was the one person she loved most—she wouldn’t let anyone harm him.
With a voice barely above a whisper, she asked, “Who did the Chairman assign to that job ten years ago?”
The man studied her for a long moment before answering with a single word that made Jessica’s blood run cold.
“Phoenix.”
Jessica’s eyes widened.
Her fingers clenched around the wine glass so tightly that her knuckles turned white as she struggled to contain the storm of emotions raging inside her.
Aaron.
Aaron, who had once been known as ‘Phoenix,’ was the executioner of that mission.
Jessica sat frozen, her mind spinning as she processed the shocking revelation. That meant… Alice might already know. She could have uncovered the truth long before marrying Aaron. Their marriage—it wasn’t just a marriage. It was part of her plan.
Alice was here to hurt him. Or worse.
Jessica drew in a sharp breath, forcing herself to stay composed.
No. I won’t let that happen.
She exhaled slowly and looked back at the man in front of her. “I want every single piece of information on Alice Harper. Everything. Nothing gets left out.”
The man nodded. “Consider it done.”
Jessica turned her gaze back to the wine glass, her eyes burning with hatred and newfound resolve.
I will tell him.
She wouldn’t let anyone harm Aaron.
Not even Alice Harper.
...
Aaron stepped into the luxurious mansion he had always avoided. Even since childhood, this place had never felt like home to him. There was no warmth, no affection—only cold walls that held the dark shadows of his past.
His footsteps echoed along the gleaming marble hallway. Expensive paintings lined the walls, crystal chandeliers hung high, and intricately carved wooden furniture exuded elegance and class. But to Aaron, this place was nothing more than a gilded cage that had once imprisoned him.
The guards stationed at every corner immediately turned their heads upon seeing him. No one dared to stop him. No one dared to ask questions. They all knew who he was. Aaron Blakewood. Phoenix. The man who had once been the most dangerous shadow within the Greenice Group.
The sound of approaching footsteps came from the opposite direction. Aaron kept walking, but someone stepped in his way.
“Well, look who decided to come back... The Phoenix has finally returned to his nest.”
Aaron looked up slightly and saw a familiar figure. Kevin Delson. A cousin he had never truly considered family. The man approached him with a smirk, his gaze filled with amusement at seeing Aaron back in this place.
Aaron didn’t respond. He simply stared at Kevin coldly, waiting for him to reach him.
“Where is the Chairman?” he asked calmly, his expression unreadable.
Kevin shrugged nonchalantly. “Maybe we could chat first while waiting for Grandpa. It’s been a long time since we last saw each other, hasn’t it?”
Aaron scoffed softly before walking past Kevin without a second thought.
Seeing this, Kevin chuckled, glancing back with a mocking expression. “Ah, you’re just the same.”
Aaron stopped and turned his head slightly.
Kevin continued, “You and Reece are exactly alike. Arrogant. Always insufferable.”
Aaron didn’t react. He simply resumed his steps, ignoring his cousin’s words. Kevin’s remarks were nothing new. He had heard countless times how the family compared him to Reece—the rightful heir of Greenice Group, the one who had always lived under the weight of the Delson name.
But Aaron didn’t care.
He was only here for one reason.
...
Aaron pushed open the massive mahogany doors adorned with intricate carvings and stepped into the spacious room. The walls were lined with towering bookshelves, sleek black leather sofas were arranged neatly in the center, and on one side, a massive glass window overlooked the cityscape, making everything below seem small.
There, standing with his back to him, was an old man.
William Delson.
The figure who had haunted every one of his nightmares. The man who had given him the name Phoenix and stripped him of everything when he was only fourteen.
“Welcome back, Aaron...” the deep, authoritative voice filled the room.
Aaron stared at him, his jaw tightening. “Why did you call me here?” he asked directly, his voice cold and firm.
William turned around slowly, his gaze unreadable. There was no warmth in his eyes—only assessment. Like a king evaluating his subject.
“So, you finally decided to return after disappearing for a year.”
Aaron remained silent, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Sixteen years ago, this man had erased his identity, changed his name, and forbidden anyone from ever calling him by his real name.
‘Aaron is dead. From now on, you are Phoenix.’
That was what William had told him when he was a clueless fourteen-year-old, forced into the family's criminal empire, turned into a tool to clean up Greenice Group’s dirty work. But now, he was no longer a child.
He had taken his name back.
William stepped closer. “I want to restore your name within this family. You can finally step out of Reece’s shadow.”
Aaron let out a small, mocking laugh. “Why? This is so sudden.”
William took a seat in his grand chair, leaning back in a relaxed manner. “It’s time for you to return. Greenice Group needs you.”
Aaron narrowed his eyes. “Does that mean you’re bringing Aaron back? Just like that?”
William fell silent for a moment before nodding. “That’s right.”
Aaron scoffed. “You can’t. Aaron is dead. And you are not God.” His voice was sharp and unwavering.
William’s gaze darkened slightly. “You’re right. You’re not that naive little boy I could threaten anymore.”
Aaron straightened his posture, his eyes burning with the anger he had long suppressed.
William continued, “But… can you really live like this? Without protection? Without the influence of this family?”
Aaron smirked, his eyes gleaming with defiance. “Do you think I can’t? I don’t need to prove anything to you. And I don’t care what you think of me. Just stay away from me and my family.”
William chuckled lowly. “Family? Who? Reece and… that woman you married?”
Aaron’s fists tightened, his rage barely contained. “Don’t touch them.”
William met his gaze, his smile thin but full of meaning.
“Since when did you become so weak and gullible? I want you to know who it is you’re really trusting.”