Veiled intentions

Morning light crept through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Alice as she woke to find her daughter curled against her side, her small hand resting on Alice's blouse. She watched her daughter for a moment, brushing a few loose curls away from her face, feeling that fierce protectiveness she reserved only for this child. The serene calm of the morning helped steady her resolve for what lay ahead.

After helping her daughter prepare for her caregiver, Alice sat down with a steaming cup of coffee when her assistant's call came through.

"Miss Alice, a few updates regarding the Hunt family's gathering this evening,, which you were invited to" Marie her assistant began smoothly, running down her itinerary and the nature of the gathering. "It's an introduction event for the Hunt's parents' adopted daughter, Raya. She's been building a name in the city's social circles over the past three years." She paused and continued "So far you've been invited as the CEO of aurealice group and also they sent an invite to your Dr Anti email heh they didn't know it was all the same person" She felt Amused...

Alice listened, camly her mind drifting she had been gone for three years, she wondered if Seattle had changed very much or if it were still the same.

Her assistant paused, then added, "Also, a piece of personal news: John and Sherlin might announce their engagement at the event. They've delayed any formal announcement for years now because of the obvious connection with you, given that your marriage to John was still fresh in society's mind after you… disappeared."

Alice's gaze grew distant as she listened, a cold calm settling over her. Of course, they'd waited to avoid the shame of marrying into an affair so soon after her vanishing. Three years, she thought, was just long enough for people to assume she was dead. The bitterness was sharp, but Alice's mind was already turning over the possibilities. She wondered, in a glint of dark humor, if they would cancel their little engagement if she appeared tonight to remind everyone of her very-much-alive presence. But better still she didn't care anyways.

"Is there anything more, Miss Alice?" her assistant's voice brought her back to the moment.

"Nothing more. Just ensure everything is ready."

"One last thing," she added, hesitantly. "There's been a substantial offer, a million dollars from a client requesting a consultation with Dr. Anti."

Alice arched a brow. Requests for Dr. Anti were rare and always high-stakes. "Delay my response. I'll review it when I feel like."

"Understood." Her voice softened with a note of admiration. "It's remarkable seeing you like this, Miss Alice. I think they'll realize what they lost."

The faintest smile touched her lips as she ended the call.

_____

Later, Alice stepped out to select a gift for the Hunt family. She found a rare art piece that she knew would resonate with Jermin's grandparents, an elegant symbol of her presence. It was a subtle nod to the family's taste and wealth, one she knew would make an impression, precisely as intended. On her way back, her thoughts drifted to the day ahead, the goals she'd set for herself, and the mysteries she still needed to solve. She intended to reclaim her inheritance, confront those who betrayed her, and quietly resolve the questions about her daughter's birth with a DNA test from John. Not out of sentimentality, but because she felt her daughters birth had been planned making her want to get to the bottom of it.

Later on she decided to change the gift she had prepared with the thought that if she wanted to impress the old master hunt for business dealings she had to present a more glamourous gift. With that in mind she called her long lost disciple...

---

By late afternoon, Alice received the gown she'd requested from an exclusive designer a dress meticulously crafted to accentuate her beauty while commanding attention. It was a deep emerald, sculpted elegantly to her body, with delicate lacework along the neckline that hinted at allure without giving anything away. The fabric shimmered with a subtle sophistication, flowing over her figure and hinting at her curves in all the right places. She wore a single, understated necklace that highlighted her collarbone, and small, tasteful diamond earrings that glinted whenever she moved. She looked in the mirror, noting the transformation. The woman staring back was no longer the timid Alice they'd once known she was formidable, a vision of poised strength.

When she was done she walked towards the garage, heading towards her car.

As Alice reached towards the car door, a hand slid over the edge of the frame, stopping her. A masculine presence loomed behind her enough for her to feel the heat of his body.