ly'

rs la

es

e cameras clicked furiously, each one trying to capture the perfect shot. The air buzzed with the

art! Ov

nning to expand the

on your rise to succes

against the pavement as I strode forward. My face remained poised, composed-a faint smile playing

oward the entrance of the grand event hall. The paparazzi were relentless, their lenses tracking my every move,

ead, casting a warm glow over the sea of tuxedos and evening gowns. I paused for a moment, taking it all in. My father's friends-men who had dom

er. His proud smile was unmistakable as he m

mly, his voice full of prid

g him into a brief hug. "You're the one who b

job of it," he replied, his ey

rned their attention to me. One by one, they came forward to intro

his hand. "Henry Calloway, CEO of Calloway Industries. Your w

yet assertive. "We've been focusing on innovation and

"Emily, I'm Evelyn Carter. Your partnership with GreenTech last qu

small smile. "We believe collaboration

d to earn. My father stood nearby, watching with an expression that spoke volumes. He was pr

ries, my confidence unwavering. I was no longer the girl who had been humiliated in a university

of Hart Enterprises. A

t's event. My speech had started smoothly, detailing Hart Enterprises' vision for the future and the strides we'd made in sustainable

n he wa

de a man surrounded by bodyguards. His dark, tailored suit hugged his tall, broad frame perfectly, and his chiseled jawline was more de

Gra

e who had ruined my self-worth, made me the laughingstock of my peers

e arrogance in his stride and the casual way he adju

hearsed words faltered. I blinked rapidly, trying

I said, my voice uneven. I caught my father's concerned glance from the fr

the microphone as applause erupted. I descended the stage, plaste

hakily, gripping the edge of a nearby table to ste

inding down, with guests exchanging pleasantries and business cards. My father beckoned me over, s

o meet Nicholas's son, Cole. He just got back to town after spending

e turned to face me, his expres

ce was deeper now, more refined, but it still carried tha

his gaze with a cold, neutral expression and nodded curt

kly recovered. "I've heard a lot about you," he said, lowering his ha

er and began discussing an unrelated topic, de

"Isn't it great to see the next generation taking the

hould schedule a meeting for these two to discuss

w tightening slightly. "Of

focus entirely on my father. "I'll check

nd swirling with memories I'd buried for years. Cole h

emember

ears for weeks. I remembered the shame, the tears, the relentless whispers and stares from my classma

e. It had driven me to become the woman I

ught back every ounce of

alked away, my heels clicking against the marble floor. I neede

had come back

im with every fi