Chapter 6
Mom swept back in with a styling team in tow. “Kristine, come on-time to get ready. Look at these gowns I picked out. You’re gonna blow everyone away.”
I eyed the racks of dresses being wheeled in. They were all… a lot.
“Mom, I’m just taking over as CEO, not competing in Miss Universe. Plus, most of the company already knows who I am. This feels a bit… much?”
Mom didn’t even pause. She grabbed a white bodycon dress covered in crystals and held it up to me. “This one screams elegance, but it’s missing something.”
Then she snatched a red strapless gown and pressed it against me. “Now this-this shows off my daughter’s flawless skin and killer legs. Wear this one first. We’ll keep the rest on standby.”
I sighed. “Fine.”
I changed into the red gown while the stylist worked on my hair and makeup.
By the time I arrived at the banquet hall, the executives and business partners were already mingling.
After the host’s brief welcome, Dad took the stage. “Thank you all for coming tonight. I’m here to announce that my daughter will officially take over as CEO of Sterling Group.”
The host gestured toward me. “Let’s give a warm welcome to our new CEO.”
I walked up in heels, applause echoing around me. And then I spotted him-Lysander Pierce, standing close to the stage.
What the hell was he doing here? I barely had time to process it before the host handed me the mic. “Hi everyone, I’m Kristine Sterling. Starting today, I’ll be taking over as CEO of Sterling Group. I hope you’ll all bear with me as I settle in.”
Someone from the crowd spoke up. “Wait, isn’t that the marketing director from Sterling? Looks like Ms. Sterling was getting her hands dirty in the trenches. Mr. Sterling really knows how to raise a daughter-so young and already running the whole company.”
The flattery started rolling in. Dad looked proud as hell. “When Kristine came back from abroad, I wanted her to take over right away. But she insisted on starting from the bottom to really understand the business. So I let her.”
‘Like father, like daughter! Mr. Sterling’s brilliance clearly rubbed off.”
Dad led me around, introducing me to partners and board members I didn’t know.
Some were clearly just kissing up to Dad. Others looked skeptical-probably pissed that someone my age was about to run the company. But with this many people around, they kept their mouths shut.
held a glass of juice and made the rounds with Dad, toasting everyone.
‘Sorry, I’m a lightweight. Juice will have to do. Hope you’ll all forgive me.”
A slightly greasy-looking guy shoved a glass of red wine at me. “Young people these days-how can you not drink? You’ve got a lot of business dinners ahead of you, Ms. Sterling. Refusing a drink? That’s pretty disrespectful, don’t you think?”
A hand reached in front of me and snatched the glass away. A voice, laced with irritation, cut through. “She said she can’t handle alcohol. You deaf?”
I followed the hand up to Lysander’s face. He’d appeared out of nowhere, standing right beside me.
Greasy Guy glared at him. “Who the hell are you? This is none of your business!”
Lysander swirled the wine glass lazily, barely looking at him. “Weather’s getting cold.” He paused, his gaze sharpening. “Your company’s about to go under.”
Greasy Guy burst out laughing like he’d heard the funniest joke of his life. “Hahaha! Who do you think you are? Some CEO from a TV drama? You think you can just snap your fingers and bankrupt me? Do you even know who I am? Do you know how powerful my company is?”
Lysander pulled out his phone and tapped the screen a few times. Greasy Guy stood there smirking, waiting for the punchline.
Lysander slipped his phone back into his pocket. No follow-up.
Greasy Guy spread his hands. “That’s it? Nothing?”
Lysander adjusted his tie, completely unbothered. “Three… two… one…”
Right on cue, Greasy Guy’s phone rang. His smirk vanished. He answered, and his face went from smug to ashen in seconds. He stared at Lysander in disbelief.
After hanging up, he still looked shell shocked. “Who… who the hell are you?!”
Lysander ignored him entirely. Instead, he turned to me and extended his hand like a gentleman. “May I have the honor of this dance, Ms. Sterling?
I stepped forward. At this angle, my lips were right by his ear. I whispered, “Looks like you’re a bigger deal than I thought… honey.”

Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.

 
	 
 
		 
		 
		 
		