The Rise Of The Quintillionaire

Chapter 3

Many hours later, heavy rain fell from the dark night sky. 

A massive private jet flew through the thick, wet clouds. The airplane was entirely black. There were no lights on the wings, and no numbers painted on the tail. It landed smoothly on the private runway in Alex’s home city. 

The rain hit the wet concrete hard, splashing loudly in the quiet night. 

Waiting on the runway was a line of six huge, black SUVs. The engines hummed softly in the cold air. The windows were completely dark. 

The door of the black jet opened, and a set of stairs folded down to the ground. 

Alex walked down the stairs. The cold rain hit his face, but he did not blink. He breathed in the smell of the wet city streets. He was finally back. This was the city where he had been born, where he had loved, and where he had been betrayed. 

Standing beside the first SUV was a woman. She held a large black umbrella over Alex as he reached the bottom step. 

Her name was Helena Croft. 

Helena was tall, thin, and beautiful, but in a very scary way. She wore a perfectly tailored black suit. Her blonde hair was pulled back very tightly into a bun. Her bright blue eyes were completely sharp, missing nothing. She did not smile. She was Alex’s new right-hand woman. Victor had given her to Alex. Helena was known in the underworld as a fixer. She was ruthless, highly intelligent, and she never, ever made a mistake. 

"Welcome home, Mr. Carter," Helena said. Her voice was smooth and professional, barely louder than the falling rain. 

"Thank you, Helena," Alex replied. 

He stepped into the back of the massive SUV. The inside of the car was warm and smelled like expensive new leather. Helena stepped in after him, closing the heavy door. The rain was suddenly totally silent. The car was soundproof. 

The line of SUVs began to drive, moving smoothly into the dark city. 

Helena reached into a small black bag on the seat. She pulled out a thick gray dossier. She handed the heavy folder to Alex. 

"This is the information you asked for, sir," Helena said. "I have tracked all of their movements for the past six months."

Alex opened the folder. The first thing he saw was a large photograph. It was Marcus and Lisa. They were standing together on a beautiful white boat. Marcus was smiling brightly, holding a glass of champagne. Lisa was leaning against his chest, laughing. She was wearing a massive diamond ring on her finger. 

"Tell me," Alex commanded softly, staring at the picture. 

"Marcus Vance is now a billionaire," Helena said, looking at a small tablet in her hands. "After the warehouse fire, you were declared legally dead. Your body was not found, but the police believed you burned to ash. Marcus took total control of your company. He also collected a massive life insurance policy. He sold your company to a larger corporation for a huge amount of money."

"And Lisa?" Alex asked. His voice did not shake at all. 

Helena turned the page on her tablet. "Your ex-wife played the perfect victim. She cried on television at your funeral. She wore a black dress. She told the city that you were a brave hero. She said her heart was destroyed forever."

Alex let out a dry, dark laugh. "She always was a very good actress."

"Two weeks after your funeral," Helena continued, "she moved into a giant mansion by the ocean. Marcus Vance owns the mansion. They have been living together ever since."

Alex traced his finger over the photograph of Lisa's smiling face. The anger inside his chest was so hot it felt like the warehouse fire all over again. But on the outside, Alex was a statue of solid ice. 

"Where are they tonight?" Alex asked, closing the gray folder. 

"Tonight is a very big night for Marcus Vance," Helena explained. "He is hosting a multi-million-dollar charity gala. It is being held at the Grand Plaza Hotel in the center of the city. He is raising money for the fire department."

Alex slowly looked up from the folder. "The fire department?"

"Yes, sir," Helena said. She looked slightly disgusted. "Marcus tells everyone he does it to honor his brave, fallen partner. He is using your death to make himself look like a great, giving man. He wants the city to celebrate his philanthropy. Every important person in the city is at this party tonight. The mayor, the police chief, the judges, the actors. It is the biggest social event of the year."

"He built his fortune on my blood," Alex whispered, his eyes narrowing into cold slits. "He left me to burn, and now he throws a party to celebrate himself."

Alex looked down at his own clothes. He was wearing a dark, bespoke Tom Ford suit. The fabric was perfect. The cut was exactly measured to his strong new body. The suit cost more than most people made in five years of hard work. He looked rich. He looked powerful. He looked incredibly dangerous. 

"The party is strictly invitation only," Helena told him. "Marcus has hired sixty private security guards. They are armed. They will not let anyone inside without a gold ticket."

Alex turned his head. He looked out the dark window of the SUV. The bright, colorful lights of the tall city buildings reflected on the wet glass. This was his city now. Marcus and Lisa thought they were the kings of this world. They thought the past was dead and buried in the ashes. 

They had no idea that the past was driving right toward them, bringing absolute power with it. 

Alex reached inside his suit jacket. He felt the heavy, cold weight of the black Sterling Apex Card sitting against his chest. 

He slowly turned his head back to Helena. A small, dangerous smile touched the corners of his mouth. 

"Helena," Alex said quietly. 

"Yes, sir?" she answered instantly, her fingers ready on her tablet. 

"Buy the venue," Alex ordered. His voice was cold and hard, leaving no room for questions. "Buy the entire Grand Plaza Hotel right now. Pay double whatever it is worth. Fire the general manager. Fire the hotel staff. Fire Marcus's private security team and replace them with our own men."

Helena nodded once. Her fingers danced across the glowing screen of her tablet with brutal speed. "It will be done in three minutes, Mr. Carter."

Alex pulled his cuffs down, making sure his suit was perfectly straight. 

"Good," Alex said, his eyes shining with a dark, thrilling promise of revenge. "Then, let’s go crash my ex-wife’s party."