That year, Kian Sterling was twelve. Among the many second-generation heirs of Metropia's elite families, he had already gained immense fame in their circle on the strength of his looks alone.
The Sterlings' brand, Delia Caine, was in turmoil. Three of their Chief Perfumers were poached by a competitor with high salaries, causing Delia Caine to fall apart from within. Under these circumstances, the chairman, Franklin Sterling, tossed the mess to his son to cut his teeth on.
His mother, June Coleman, told him in private, "Kian, I've found out your father has another woman. He even had two bastards with that shameless woman, and one of them isn't much younger than you. He's trying to leave everything to his 'true love's' children now, so you're going to face a lot of hardship."
