Reborn as his captivating wife

Laying the Foundation

The mansion was unusually calm, with Sebastian at his office and the household staff keeping a low profile. Elena took advantage of the quiet to move with purpose. She wasn't going to waste another minute. Her steps carried her to the study room, where she booted up her laptop and opened private accounts, focusing solely on growth strategies.

Her trading portfolio had already seen a minor boost, but Elena was after more...stability, long-term security, and a reputation of her own. Her fingers typed swiftly as she combed through data reports and upcoming market opportunities.

An hour later, she sat back in thought. Something was missing.

Stocks were only part of the answer . She needed active control over something physical, a business where she could make decisions, build influence, and expand beyond the Hart family's shadow besides Stratus Innovations.

---

Later in the afternoon, Mason returned to the mansion. "Mr. Hart mentioned he'll be home late, Madam. Do you require anything?"

Elena shook her head. "No, but let Sebastian know I won't be waiting around anymore."

Mason blinked in confusion but nodded, realizing there was something stronger in Elena's tone today.

As the evening deepened, Elena didn't wait by the door for Sebastian, nor did she retreat into old routines. She worked late into the night finalizing negotiation points, checking investment trends, and drafting her vision for the future.

She wasn't going to beg for a place in Sebastian's world.

She was going to build her own empire.

________

The following day

The polished glass doors of Stratus Innovations reflected the morning sun as Elena stepped through, dressed sharply in a tailored white blouse and sleek red trousers. Her strides were confident, her aura calm but commanding. Gone was the timid socialite ....today, she walked in as the true owner.

Inside the executive meeting room, key team members had already gathered, some shifting nervously while others murmured about recent rumors: "Mrs. Hart has taken over the company?" "What does she know about tech?"

Elena took her place at the head of the long table, her cool gaze sweeping across the faces before her. Adrian, seated closest to her, gave a reassuring nod, silently supporting her leadership.

"Let's begin," Elena said, her voice crisp.

The projector screen lit up, displaying a striking product prototype. "This," she said, "is the future of wearable technology—Stratus's breakthrough product: the Stratus Core Band."

Murmurs filled the room, some intrigued, others skeptical.

Elena continued, "It's not just another fitness tracker. This product combines AI-powered health diagnostics, real-time stress and fatigue analysis, and predictive performance tracking. Our target isn't just fitness enthusiasts—it's corporate professionals, medical patients, and high-performance athletes."

One executive, Mr. Halbridge, frowned. "With all due respect, the market is saturated. Competing with tech giants is a financial risk."

Elena smiled knowingly. "It would be—if we were copying existing products. But we're not. Stratus Core Band includes a unique biometric alert system, capable of notifying users and linked healthcare providers of critical health warnings in real time. We already have a pending patent."

The room quieted.

Another voice, Ms. Yates, chimed in hesitantly, "Our R&D budget barely covered maintenance last quarter. Funding such a large-scale product would—"

"I've secured additional capital," Elena cut in smoothly. "Private funding combined with short-term returns from our recent investments will support development for the next two phases."

Several employees exchanged surprised looks, some nodding slowly.

Mr. Halbridge pressed on. "Production delays are inevitable with new tech. A failed launch could crush our reputation."

Elena turned another slide, displaying projected contingencies. "I've already reached out to two backup manufacturers specializing in expedited tech launches. We'll do phased market releases, starting with controlled markets to monitor feedback and minimize risks."

The tension in the room eased as the team reviewed her slides—every major concern, every potential pitfall had been accounted for.

Adrian cleared his throat, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Any other doubts?"

Silence.

Elena leaned forward slightly, her voice firm. "Stratus Innovations isn't here to survive anymore—it's here to dominate."

With a final glance around the room, she concluded, "The era of being overlooked ends today. Let's get to work."

By the time the meeting adjourned, the energy in the room had shifted entirely—respect replacing skepticism. Elena gathered her notes calmly, inwardly satisfied. This was her stage now, and she had no intention of ever stepping down.

And as she walked out, the name Elena Hart began to ripple across Oakridge's corporate circles—not as someone's wife, but as a woman rebuilding a legacy from the ground up.