The night had been long, but Aria's mind never drifted from her purpose—not even once. By the time she returned to the Sterling mansion, the estate was silent. Her room—what used to be hers—felt foreign. The walls were the same, but the soul of the space was gone.
Morning came quickly.
She rose early, dressed in a clean cream blouse and dark fitted pants—simple, but elegant. Her hair was tied in a loose low bun, and her bag carried only the essentials. She wasn't here to impress. She was here to reclaim.
By 8:45 a.m., Aria stood in the lobby of Sterling Enterprises, clutching her visitor badge. The receptionist gave her a once-over and clicked her tongue but said nothing. A few employees milled past, some whispering, others watching with thinly veiled curiosity.
As she walked into the conference room, Marcus was already seated at the head of the table, flanked by senior staff. His cold eyes flicked to her immediately.
"You're late," he said sharply, voice echoing through the glass room.
Aria kept her tone neutral. "The meeting starts at 9. I arrived at 8:45."
Marcus didn't hide his displeasure. "That's not early enough."
She gave a polite nod, taking a seat near the end of the table. She could feel the weight of judgment in the air, but she didn't flinch.
At 9:50 a.m., the doors swung open dramatically, revealing Evie Sterling, glowing in a pastel blue designer suit, sunglasses still on her face.
"Oh my God, so sorry!" she giggled. "Traffic was insane."
"Take a seat," Marcus said with a small, indulgent smile. "We were just getting started."
Aria didn't miss the shift in tone. No reprimand. No cold stare. Just warmth and patience.
Evie walked in like a star on set, her perfume leaving a trail of roses behind. She slid into a seat near Marcus and leaned in to whisper something that made him chuckle softly.
Aria's fingers tightened slightly on the pen in her hand.
The hypocrisy was loud, but she didn't react. Not yet.
The atmosphere in the boardroom shifted as the projector flickered to life and the Sterling Enterprises' quarterly report appeared on the screen. A senior accountant began the presentation, discussing the financial performance of each branch. Numbers, percentages, and projections flashed across the slides.
Aria listened carefully. Though she hadn't been in the room for years, she understood more than they expected—she'd spent the last few weeks brushing up on every corner of the empire her mother built.
"Revenue from the fashion division has seen a 12% decline in the past quarter," the accountant explained. "There's been some improvement in branding, but the market share has slipped—especially in our European segment."
Marcus frowned slightly. "We need stronger leadership in that division."
The conversation moved on to a review of the current models under the brand. A few names were thrown around—rising stars, problematic talents, those rumored to be in quiet scandals.
"We're considering dropping two names from the primary campaign," one of the executives said. "We need new, dynamic faces for the upcoming relaunch."
Evie flipped her hair confidently. "Leave the casting to me. I know what sells."
A murmur of agreement followed. Aria stayed quiet, watching. Every decision Evie made seemed to receive an approving nod from Marcus. Her reign here was well established.
Next came the discussion of internal structure.
"We also need to increase our in-house design staff," a senior designer said. "Too many of our concepts are being outsourced."
Marcus nodded. "Hire ten more. I want fresh talent."
"Now, on to the most pressing matter," the lead strategist said. "The proposed billion‑dollar partnership with Vaelora International, the European luxury fashion house. They've expressed interest in merging for a cross‑continental collaboration—but on the condition that we assign a strong representative from our team."
Interest lit up in Marcus's eyes. "Who do they have in mind?"
They didn't specify, but they emphasized charisma, international appeal, and someone who embodies the next generation of fashion influence. A face that can match their vision.
Instantly, several people glanced toward Evie.
Evie gave a coy smile. "I'm ready for it. I've been featured in multiple European magazines already. I know their aesthetic."
One of the senior executives nodded. "They also stressed integrity and adaptability—someone who understands both business and brand."