Her Rebirth.

Mason Cosgrove lifted his glass cup, clinking it with another as a fake smile donned his face, while Eve held his hand, looking like the perfect couple they ought to be. Anyone who had seen them would never have guessed that they had a heated argument before arriving at the charity event. Eve had confronted Mason for recently hardly being at home, accusing him of cheating on her, and Mason, who had just gone through a lot of ordeals including losing his seat as the CEO of the Cosgrove empire, lashed out at her. If not for the little thread of self-control he had left, maybe he would have raised his hands on her.

Eve, who had very much never been shouted at by Mason, could already see the cracks forming in their marriage, and she had begun to resent Mason, coupled with the fact that the Cosgrove family was no longer as prestigious as it once was, and her friends in high society had begun to look at her with disdain, like she was not one of them and she greatly hated it.

Mason had one reason to come to this charity event, just like others did: the ED Technologies CEO. He believed that if he could just build a relationship with him, network with him, there was a chance his position might be given back to him.

"Mr. Cosgrove, Mrs. Cosgrove," a familiar voice greeted them. Turning, they were met by Mr. Whitmore, the current head of the Whitmore family. Though they couldn’t compare to the Cosgroves while they were still at the top, the family was still firmly rooted in the upper class. "I didn’t expect to see you two tonight."

Mason forced another smile, extending his hand. "We wouldn’t miss an opportunity."

"Oh, an opportunity indeed," Whitmore said with a small smirk, eyes darting briefly to the growing crowd. "Though I imagine most of the guests are here for one reason."

"And what might that be?" Eve asked, acting like an ignorant wife who knows nothing of her husband’s affairs.

Whitmore chuckled. "The new CEO of ED Technologies, of course. Rumor has it he’s young, aggressive, and... very selective about his business partners."

At that, Mason’s jaw tightened just a bit. "I plan to speak with him. ED Technologies is on the rise. A collaboration could benefit us both."

Whitmore raised a brow. "I heard about your, ah... sabbatical from the Cosgrove Empire. Must be difficult."

Eve’s grip on Mason’s arm stiffened, her fingers almost boring into his skin if not for the fabric protecting the arm which she held.

Before Mason or Eve could respond, Whitmore’s tone suddenly turned casual. "How’s your daughter? Amelia, was it? What’s she been up to? Haven’t seen her around much."

Mason’s smile finally fell.

"She’s been nothing but a disgrace," he said through clenched teeth. "Chose to throw away everything we gave her. Running around with wild criminals, dressing like she lacks training, shaming our name. If it were up to me, I’d have cut her off completely."

Eve remained silent, her lips pursed, looking quite uninterested in the discussion. Previously, she would have loved to join, acting like the stepmother who was trying everything to get her stepdaughter’s love and yet kept getting pushed away, but at this stage, there was no point keeping up that act anymore.

Just then, the lights dimmed slightly, and the event host’s voice rang out over the speakers:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored tonight to welcome the CEO of ED Technologies..."

Murmurs erupted around the hall as everyone turned curiously to look at the entrance.

"...Mr. Kai Blackwood."

Outside, a sleek Rolls-Royce Phantom glided to a stop at the red carpet in front of the grand hall. Photographers and journalists scrambled closer, their flashes going off even before the chauffeur stepped out. The door was pulled open with a respectful bow.

Kai emerged, dressed in a wine tuxedo with sharp lines and a quiet, dangerous elegance. His face remained unreadable as the flashes lit up his chiseled features. Whispers spread like wildfire.

Kai Blackwood? He’s the CEO? Since when?

But what truly stole the breath from the crowd was what came next.

Kai adjusted his cuff, expression cool and unmoved as he looked toward the open door beside him. Then, with the slightest tilt of his head, he extended a hand.

Moments later, a delicate hand slipped into his, and Amelia stepped out.

Her gown shimmered like starlight, hugging her figure in a way that made her alluring to all who laid their eyes on her. Her chin was lifted, her expression serene and unreadable. The cameras exploded with flashes, voices shouting her name, everyone desperate for a photo of the Amelia Cosgrove on the arm of the most elusive CEO, the so-called unwanted child of the Blackwood family.

Scratch that.

The most wanted child of the Blackwood family.

Mason’s glass nearly slipped from his hand.

Eve’s lips parted in shock, a crack forming in her composure.

Kai Blackwood was the CEO of ED Technologies, and Amelia Cosgrove was his fiancée? How was that possible? No one would have suspected it in a million years because Kai was always out of the spotlight

That was, until now.

Applause followed the flashes as Kai and Amelia stepped into the hall. The crowd parted like waves for royalty, faces turning, eyes wide in recognition and envy.

"Mr. Cosgrove!" a portly gentleman with a thick mustache clapped Mason on the back, laughter booming from his chest. "You sly fox! You never told us your daughter was dating the CEO of ED Technologies!"

A second voice chimed in. "Not just dating. Engaged, isn’t she? Mason, you’ve raised a gem!"

"Well done, Mason. Amelia is truly bringing glory back to the Cosgrove name."

Mason, though still shell-shocked, quickly morphed his features into one of a proud father. "Well... I always knew she had potential. Poured the best resources into her since she was little—only the finest tutors, etiquette teachers, you name it. She’s always had an eye for excellence."

More laughter.

"And for powerful men, apparently!" one of them added, grinning.

"Why didn’t you tell us your future son-in-law, Kai Blackwood, was the CEO of ED Technologies?" another joked. "We would’ve been treating you a lot nicer at the last board meeting."

Mason chuckled, adjusting his cuff as if he’d been keeping the secret on purpose. "Well, we were told to keep things discreet. You know how these things go—corporate pressure, high-stakes business. But yes, we’re very proud. Very proud indeed."

He glanced sideways at Eve, who stood slightly behind him. Her expression was pinched, lips drawn into a thin line as she stared at Mason. Her fists were clenched so tightly her knuckles had turned white. Then her lips tilted in mockery.

Proud of her, you say? Who was the one calling her a disgrace a few minutes ago? Who was the one that had called her a disappointment severally?

Hypocrite.

Mason, still relishing in all the praise, mused:

Perhaps this daughter of mine isn’t so useless after all. She might just put the Cosgrove name back where it belongs.

But his smugness wavered for a moment when his eyes wandered to the far corner of the hall.

There, the Blackwoods stood, Dan, Hera, Ace, all frozen in their places. Dan’s mouth was parted in disbelief, Hera’s composure cracked just enough to reveal the fury burning beneath her skin. Ace looked like someone had punched him in the stomach.

They had let the world believe Kai was a discarded failure, a "donor child" meant to be forgotten. And now, he stood before the world not as a shadow, but as a king with Amelia Cosgrove by his side.

A few more guests approached Mason.

"Think you could introduce us to him?" one asked eagerly.

"Yes, yes! A little nudge from the father-in-law wouldn’t hurt!"

"We have a few ventures ED Tech might be interested in..."

Mason beamed. "Of course. Since he’s marrying my little princess, I’m sure he won’t mind. I’ll speak to him right away."

He walked through the crowd, chest puffed with pride. Across the room, Kai stood near the center, speaking with a group of high-ranking investors. One arm rested casually on Amelia’s waist, a gesture of possession so natural it made Mason pause for half a second.

Clearing his throat, Mason stepped forward and raised his voice with forced warmth.

"Kai! My boy!"

Kai turned slowly.

His gaze met Mason’s, and there was no warmth in Kai’s expression. Only a calm, dangerous cold in his eyes, and the once-proud soon-to-be father-in-law’s smile faltered.

Mason’s breath hitched as a faint chill slid down his spine. The crowd still buzzed behind him, but suddenly it felt like he was standing in a much quieter place.

Like he was standing alone, in front of a man who could just kill him with a simple snap of the neck.

He had seen those kind of eyes before.

They were the eyes of a killer.