Risen From Ruin by Elias Mercer

Prologue

The night Elena Carter signed her divorce papers, she didn’t shed a single tear.

Not when her husband, Ryan Lancaster, laughed in her face.

Not when his mother called her pathetic for thinking she ever belonged in their world.

Not when she walked out of their mansion with nothing but her pride.

Because deep down, she knew something they didn’t.

This wasn’t the end of her story.

It was just the beginning.

Three months later, she would return not as the woman they had humiliated, but as the one they would fear. The name Elena Carter-Stone would soon be written in headlines, whispered in boardrooms, and feared by those who once mocked her.

They thought she was weak.

They thought they had won.

But they forgot one thing, revenge is best served in designer heels.

Chapter 1

The End of a Joke

Elena Carter had given everything to her marriage with Ryan Lancaster, but now, as she stood in the grand dining room of their penthouse, the luxurious surroundings felt like a prison. For years, she had sacrificed her dreams, her ambitions, and her identity in the name of love. She had believed that if she played the part of the perfect wife, everything would fall into place. But it hadn't.

Ryan sat at the head of the table, his sharp suit clinging to his muscular frame, his posture stiff and superior. His dark eyes were focused on his wine glass as he swirled the deep red liquid, completely uninterested in the woman who had devoted herself to his every need. Around him sat his family, all of them sitting like statues, watching the scene unfold without a hint of empathy. It was as though they were waiting for Elena to say something that would somehow validate their disdain for her.

Elena, however, had reached her limit.

Years of passive-aggressive comments from his mother, Patricia Lancaster, years of feeling like an outsider, years of struggling to fit into a world she never belonged to. it all came to a head in this moment. Her heart pounded in her chest, but not from fear. No, this time, it was the rush of power, of finally breaking free from the suffocating grip of Ryan’s world.

“You can’t possibly be serious, Elena,” Ryan scoffed, his voice dripping with condescension. “You’ve got everything you could ever want. What more could you possibly need?”

Elena took a slow, deliberate breath, trying to steady herself. She could feel the anger and betrayal swirling inside her, but she refused to let them consume her. She would not let him or anyone in this room see how badly they had hurt her.

“I don’t need anything from you anymore, Ryan,” she said softly, her voice betraying no emotion. “What I need is for you to finally accept that this marriage is over.”

Ryan’s jaw clenched, and for the first time in years, he looked genuinely caught off guard. His confident mask faltered for just a moment. “What the hell are you talking about?” His voice was low, but there was an edge to it now.

“I’m talking about this, the lies, the manipulation, the years of pretending that I’m content when all I’ve done is sacrifice my life for your image,” Elena said, her voice growing steadier with each word. She slid the divorce papers across the table, a cool smile curling on her lips. “I’m done with this farce. I want a divorce, Ryan.”

Ryan blinked in disbelief. The words seemed to take a moment to sink in, and when they did, his face twisted with anger. “You can’t be serious. You’ll regret this. You can’t survive without me, Elena. You’ll be nothing without me.”

Elena stared at him, her gaze unwavering. “I’m not your possession, Ryan. I never was. And I’m not walking away from everything; I’m finally taking control of my own life.”

Patricia, who had remained silent until now, scoffed from the other side of the table. “You think you can just walk away from all of this? From everything we’ve given you? You’ve had everything, Elena. You’ve been living the dream.”

“The dream?” Elena repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You mean the dream of being your perfect little wife? The dream of watching my husband parade around with anyone who isn’t me? I’m done pretending.”

Her words struck like a blow, and she could see the surprise on Patricia’s face. The woman was used to getting her way, used to controlling everything in her world. Elena wasn’t playing by the same rules anymore.

“You’re nothing without Ryan,” Patricia spat, her face red with indignation.

Elena’s lips curled into a small, triumphant smile. “I’m everything without him, Patricia. And I’m not going to let your twisted version of reality define me anymore.”

Ryan’s face contorted with frustration as he stood, pushing his chair back with a force that made the wood scrape across the floor. “You’re making a huge mistake,” he said, his voice rising in anger. “I will make sure you regret this, Elena.”

“You’ve already made me regret a lot, Ryan,” she replied coolly. “But not this. Not walking away. I’m taking back everything you stole from me.”

With that, she stood up from the table and walked toward the door. Every step felt lighter than the one before. She wasn’t leaving just a man behind; she was leaving behind the woman who had let herself be controlled, the woman who had allowed herself to be invisible.

As she stepped out of the penthouse, the weight of the world seemed to lift from her shoulders. The cool night air hit her face as she made her way down the steps. The city lights shone brightly, but for the first time in years, she felt like she could finally see clearly.

The divorce was only the beginning. Elena Carter was about to reclaim her power.

Chapter 2

The Return of Elena Carter 

Three months. It had been three months since Elena Carter had walked away from her marriage and her old life. In those three months, she had rebuilt herself, from the inside out. Every moment of doubt, every feeling of worthlessness had been replaced by something far stronger: resolve. She was no longer the timid wife who spent her days trying to earn approval from a man who never cared.

Now, Elena stood outside the massive iron gates of the Lancaster estate, a confident smile on her lips as the wind rustled her dark hair. The cold evening air was a sharp contrast to the warmth of the life she had once lived within those walls. But as she looked up at the towering mansion, she knew it was time to take what was hers.

The black Rolls-Royce glided to a stop, its engine humming softly. Elena stepped out with the grace of a woman who had shed her old skin, her new confidence evident in every step. The gates opened slowly, as though they were acknowledging her strength, and she walked toward the front door.

As she approached, memories of the past few years flooded her mind. The arguments, the silence, the way Ryan had treated her as though she were nothing. She had allowed him to make her feel small. She had allowed his family to make her feel unworthy. But that was before. This was now.

Elena Carter-Stone was not the same woman who had walked into this mansion years ago. She had become the CEO of her own company Stone Enterprises, a thriving business worth millions, and she had big plans to take over Lancaster Industries.

She rang the doorbell, and within moments, Ryan appeared at the door, his face frozen in shock as he took in her appearance.

“Elena?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

She smiled, cool and composed. “Yes, Ryan. It’s me. Elena Carter-Stone.”

Ryan’s confusion was almost comical. “You… you’re the CEO of Stone Enterprises now?” His voice cracked as he looked her over, disbelief written all over his face.

“That’s right,” Elena replied, her gaze never leaving his. “And I’ve decided to take over Lancaster Industries, starting today.”

Patricia appeared behind him, her expression a mix of shock and anger. “You can’t just take everything we’ve built,” she spat.

“I didn’t take anything from you,” Elena said calmly. “I’ve worked harder than you could ever imagine to build my own empire. Now, I’m taking control of what’s rightfully mine.”

Ryan’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing. The words Elena had spoken were sinking in, and it was clear he was struggling to process the reality of what had just happened.

“You’ll never be happy without me,” Ryan finally said, though there was little conviction in his words.

Elena’s smile only grew. “I’m already happier than I’ve ever been.”

She turned, walking past them both with her head held high. She didn’t look back. This time, she was in control. And nothing would stand in her way.

Chapter 3

A Deal with the Devil

The boardroom of Lancaster Industries was filled with an unsettling silence. The long, polished oak table reflected the tension in the air as some of the most powerful executives in the city sat in their respective seats, stealing cautious glances at one another.

At the head of the table sat Ryan Lancaster, his jaw clenched as he tapped his fingers against the sleek surface. His once-unshakable confidence seemed slightly rattled, his mind still reeling from the events of the past few days.

Across from him, Elena Carter-Stone sat with effortless poise, her dark eyes cool and unreadable. She was dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit that exuded power, her signature diamond-studded watch glinting under the warm lighting. The woman who had once been a meek, devoted wife now carried herself like a force of nature—one that couldn’t be ignored.

The CEO of Stone Enterprises.

The name had been on everyone’s lips since the news broke. The same woman Ryan had dismissed as weak and disposable was now sitting across from him, poised to take over what he had spent his life trying to control.

“Elena,” Ryan finally said, forcing a strained smile. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

Elena leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other with effortless grace. “Oh, come now, Ryan,” she said smoothly. “I’m sure you’ve already guessed why I’m here.”

Ryan let out a breath through his nose, his patience wearing thin. “You’re wasting your time if you think you can waltz in here and demand a seat at this table.”

A small smirk curled at Elena’s lips. “Wasting my time? I don’t think so. You see, Ryan, I never waste my time. And I certainly wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t holding all the right cards.”

Murmurs rippled through the boardroom as the executives shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Elena could feel their uncertainty, their curiosity. They were waiting to see who would win this battle.

Ryan straightened his tie, masking his frustration with a cold stare. “Lancaster Industries is not up for sale, Elena.”

“Not yet,” she countered. “But it’s crumbling. The numbers don’t lie.”

She pulled out a thin folder from her designer handbag and slid it across the table. The CFO, Howard Grayson, hesitated before picking it up and flipping through the pages. His eyes widened slightly, his fingers tightening around the paper as he absorbed the financial analysis within.

Ryan shot him a warning glance, but Howard cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “She’s right,” he admitted reluctantly. “The company’s stock has been steadily declining for the past six months. If we don’t make some drastic changes soon, we’ll be in serious trouble.”

Elena smiled, tilting her head slightly. “Thank you, Howard. Now, as I was saying, Lancaster Industries is on the verge of a financial disaster. And who better to fix it than me?”

Ryan’s fingers curled into fists under the table. He hated this. He hated the way she sat there so composed, so confident—like she had already won.

“Fix it?” he repeated mockingly. “You think you can just walk in here and take what I built?”

Elena let out a soft chuckle. “Ryan, let’s not rewrite history. You didn’t build this company—your father did. You’ve just been riding his coattails.”

A few quiet gasps filled the room, and Ryan’s face darkened with rage. Elena knew she had hit a nerve.

“I’ll cut to the chase,” she continued, unbothered by his glare. “I’m offering you a deal. You step down as CEO, and I’ll acquire controlling shares in the company. In return, I’ll ensure Lancaster Industries not only survives but thrives.”

Ryan let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “You actually think I’d just hand over everything to you?”

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze unwavering. “I don’t need you to hand it over, Ryan. I already have enough backing from the board to force a takeover if necessary. This is me being generous.”

The board members exchanged glances, some of them nodding subtly, while others remained frozen in shock. It was clear that many of them had already been considering her offer before she had even stepped into the room.

Ryan’s breathing became uneven, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair tightly. He had always underestimated Elena. Always believed she would never survive without him. But now, he was the one fighting to survive.

“Elena,” Patricia’s sharp voice cut through the room as she suddenly spoke up. She had been sitting quietly, watching the exchange with narrowed eyes. “This… vendetta of yours—it’s personal, isn’t it? You’re not doing this for the company. You’re doing this to get back at Ryan.”

Elena turned her gaze toward the woman who had once made her feel like she wasn’t good enough. Who had treated her like an outsider even when she had been Ryan Lancaster’s wife.

“If this was personal, Patricia,” Elena said calmly, “I would’ve destroyed him months ago. But I didn’t. Instead, I built something better. I built something stronger. And now, I’m offering you all the chance to be a part of that.”

Patricia studied her for a moment, then let out a slow breath. For the first time, she didn’t look at Elena with contempt. Instead, there was something almost resembling… respect.

Ryan, on the other hand, wasn’t ready to accept defeat. Not yet.

“This isn’t over,” he growled.

Elena’s smirk widened. “Oh, I know. But I do love watching you realize you’re no longer the one in control.”

She rose gracefully from her chair, adjusting the cuff of her blazer. “Take some time to think about it, Ryan. But don’t take too long. This offer won’t be on the table forever.”

With that, she turned and strode out of the boardroom, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

The moment she stepped into the elevator, she exhaled slowly, allowing herself a brief second of satisfaction.

This was only the beginning.

And she had every intention of finishing what she started.

 Chapter 4

 The Unseen Betrayal

The evening air was crisp as Elena Carter-Stone stepped out of the towering headquarters of Lancaster Industries, her fingers curling around the leather strap of her designer handbag. The city skyline stretched before her, glittering with life, but her mind was already on the next move.

The battle had begun, and she knew Ryan wouldn’t go down without a fight. But neither would she.

Her driver, Marcus, a broad-shouldered man with a sharp gaze, opened the car door for her. "Where to, ma'am?"

Elena hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding. "Take me to the penthouse."

The car slid into the heavy traffic of downtown, the steady hum of the city buzzing around her. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through the notifications. As expected, messages from board members had already started pouring in some congratulating her on her bold move, others cautious, unsure whether to pledge loyalty to her or Ryan.

She expected this. Power shifts always created uncertainty.

She was about to put her phone away when a single message caught her attention.

Unknown Number: You think you’ve won, but the game is just beginning.

Elena’s grip on the phone tightened. The words were simple, but there was an underlying threat beneath them.

She exhaled slowly. She had made enemies before. This was nothing new.

When the car finally pulled into the underground parking of her penthouse, she stepped out, her heels clicking against the marble floors as she entered the private elevator. As the doors slid shut, she allowed herself a brief moment to lean against the wall, eyes closing.

She had come so far. And yet, the battle was only beginning.

Across the City – Ryan’s Office

Ryan Lancaster was livid.

The expensive glass of scotch in his hand trembled as he stared at the documents in front of him. The board wasn’t just considering Elena’s offer, they were leaning toward it.

His father’s company. His company. And she thought she could just waltz in and take it?

“Sir?” a voice interrupted.

Ryan looked up to see Nathan Sterling, his most trusted advisor. A man who had been by his side for years, helping him navigate the corporate world.

“I take it you saw the numbers,” Ryan said bitterly.

Nathan nodded, stepping forward. “It’s bad. But not unsalvageable.”

Ryan scoffed. “You don’t understand. She has them eating out of the palm of her hand. They see her as the savior of Lancaster Industries. If we don’t act fast, she’s going to own this company by the end of the quarter.”

Nathan studied him for a long moment before speaking. “Then perhaps it’s time we start playing dirty.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “What are you suggesting?”

Nathan leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Elena’s empire, it wasn’t built overnight. And no one rises that fast without leaving a few cracks behind.”

Ryan leaned back in his chair, considering the words carefully. He knew what Nathan was implying. Dig into her past. Find weaknesses. Exploit them.

A slow, cold smile stretched across Ryan’s lips. “Find me something I can use. Something that will ruin her.”

Nathan gave a sharp nod before turning and walking out of the office, leaving Ryan alone with his thoughts.

If Elena thought she could just take what was his, she was about to learn the hard way that he wasn’t a man who played fair.

Elena’s Penthouse – The Unexpected Visitor

Elena had just stepped out of her heels when the chime of the intercom echoed through her penthouse.

She frowned. It was past midnight. Who would be visiting her at this hour?

Padding barefoot across the sleek floors, she pressed the screen to check the security cameras.

Her stomach clenched when she saw the familiar figure standing at her front door.

Daniel Vaughn.

Elena hesitated for a second before unlocking the door. The moment it swung open, Daniel stepped inside, his sharp gaze sweeping over her.

“We need to talk,” he said without preamble.

Elena shut the door behind him, folding her arms. “This must be important if you’re showing up unannounced.”

Daniel ran a hand through his dark hair, his expression unreadable. “I just came from a meeting with one of my sources.”

“And?” Elena prompted, her patience wearing thin.

Daniel met her gaze, his voice quiet but firm. “Ryan’s planning something. Something big.

Elena’s lips pressed together. “I figured as much. He’s never been one to go down without a fight.”

Daniel shook his head. “This is different. He’s not just trying to block you from taking the company he’s digging into your past.”

Elena’s fingers curled slightly. “Let him dig. He won’t find anything.”

Daniel exhaled, giving her a pointed look. “Are you sure about that?”

For the first time that night, doubt flickered across her face.

She had been meticulous. Careful. But everyone had secrets. Even her.

Ryan’s Office – The Beginning of the End

Ryan leaned back in his chair as Nathan returned, a file in hand.

“Tell me you found something,” Ryan said.

Nathan placed the folder in front of him. “You’re going to want to see this.”

Ryan opened the file, scanning the contents. As his eyes moved across the page, a slow, wicked grin spread across his face.

“Well, well, well,” he murmured. “Looks like our dear Elena isn’t as untouchable as she thinks.”

Nathan nodded. “This will destroy her.”

Ryan chuckled, closing the file with satisfaction.

“Then let’s get to work.”

“Search【155】 in【Storyrad】to read more exciting chapters""".”