In a world where money flowed without rest, trust was never something you could simply purchase.
It was a luxury—rare, fragile, and often far more expensive than gold itself.
Clara learned that truth long before she ever understood what childhood was meant to feel like.
From the moment her earliest memories took shape, her life had been filled with polished smiles and carefully measured words.
Conversations were never just conversations; they were negotiations disguised as pleasantries.
Ideals were worn like ornaments, displayed proudly when useful and discarded the moment they lost value. Everything existed for one purpose alone—profit.
"Remember this, Clara."
Her father's voice echoed in her mind whenever she stood across a negotiation table or reviewed the family's ledgers.
"In this world, talent alone will never be enough to let you live comfortably."
She had never forgotten those words.
