The Laurent Family Mansion was quietly beneath the moonlight.
Unlike most homes around the mansion the lights inside the mansion remained on late into the night.
Business never truly slept.
Laurent Family Study(where her dad always does work and study.)
Sophia knocks on the room.
A firm voice comes from inside.
"Come in."
After hearing that she walked inside the room.
One man was sitting on a chair with a powerful presence in the room.
She came and stood in front of a large table.
Her father, Victor Laurent, chairman of the Laurent Group, was reviewing several documents.
The room carried a dignified atmosphere.
Books are arranged in the shelves lined the all three walls.
Awards and business trophies rested neatly inside glass cabinets as shown by how much achievement Laurent has.
Without looking up at her, Victor picked up a blue folder and placed it on the desk.
Then pushed towards her and said in a calm voice.
"Take a look."
Sophia stepped forward, took the folder and opened it.
Inside were documents from a business negotiation held earlier that day.
A manufacturing company had requested a long-term partnership with the Laurent Group.
The proposal looked profitable at first glance.
Sophia carefully reads every page.
She didn't rush.
Several minutes passed before she closed the folder.
Victor finally looked at her.
"If you were sitting in my chair today...How would you handle this?"
Sophia answered without hesitation.
"I would reject it."
Victor raised an eyebrow and asked a question in a curious tone.
"Why? And how will you solve it?"
"The financial projections are attractive."
"They are."
Sophia nodded.
"But they're also unrealistic."
She turned to one page.
"The supplier is promising a production capacity they haven't demonstrated before."
"If they fail to meet demand, our reputation suffers along with theirs."
She flipped another page.
"And this clause gives them the right to renegotiate prices after six months."
"Our initial profit would disappear."
Victor remained silent.
Sophia continued calmly.
"I would postpone the partnership."
"Instead, I'd suggest a six-month trial contract."
"If they meet every target..."
"Then we can discuss a long-term agreement."
The study fell silent.
Victor looked at his daughter for several seconds.
Then...
A faint smile appeared on his usually serious face.
"Good."
"Your judgment is improving."
Sophia lowered her head slightly.
"Thank you, Father."
Victor closed the folder.
"That's enough for today."
"You have classes tomorrow."
"Go and get some rest."
"Yes."
Sophia quietly left the study and slowly closed the door.
The room became silent again.
Victor remained seated for a long moment.
His gaze slowly drifted toward the display cabinets filled with decades of achievements.
'Sorry my daughter."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"You should be enjoying your youth."
He stood up from chair and walked towards the glass cabinets where awards and certificates were, he looked at them.
His fingers lightly touched one of the awards.
"But the Laurent Family cannot afford a weak successor."
He closed his eyes.
"I have to make you the perfect heiress."
A few minutes later...
Her bedroom.
The moment she closed the door...
The elegant and composed image she maintained outside instantly disappeared.
She kicked off her shoes with foot.
Placed her bag beside the wardrobe.
Then—
She jumped on the bed and with tiredness she didn't change her clothes with night clothes.
Flop.
"Mmm..."
She buried her face in the pillow.
The silence of the room felt comforting.
For once...
There were no meetings.
No expectations.
No business discussions.
Only peace.
Within minutes...
Sophia had fallen asleep.
The Next Morning
Warm sunlight entered through the dining room windows.
The Laurent family gathered for breakfast.
Victor sat at the head of the table reading the morning financial newspaper.
Sophia's mother quietly enjoyed her tea.
Sophia entered wearing her Westbridge uniform.
"Good morning."
"Morning," her mother replied with a smile.
Victor folded the newspaper.
"How are your studies?"
Sophia took her seat.
"They're going well."
"The professors are excellent."
"And your classmates?"
"They're... interesting."
Victor smiled faintly.
"Have you made any friends?"
Sophia paused briefly.
Then she nodded.
"Emily."
"And a few acquaintances."
Victor seemed satisfied.
"Good."
"Business isn't built only inside boardrooms."
"It begins with relationships."
Sophia understood exactly what he meant.
Connections.
Trust.
Influence.
Those lessons had followed her since childhood.
After breakfast ended, she stood and picked up her bag.
"I'm leaving."
"Drive safely," her mother said warmly.
Victor simply nodded.
"Have a productive day."
"I will."
Outside, the Laurent family's black luxury sedan was already waiting.
The chauffeur respectfully opened the rear door.
Sophia entered the car.
As the vehicle drove toward Westbridge International University, she quietly looked out the window.
A new day had begun.
She had no idea...
That before long, her peaceful university life would become intertwined with three freshmen—
Ryan Carter.
Lucas Reed.
And Jack Smith.
Whose arrival was already beginning to change the course of everyone's story.