In the dressing room, everything still revolved around her—unaware it was about to fall apart.
Makeup artists adorned her face while she sat luxuriously, assistants moving around her in silence. She looked straight at her reflection, critically studying it. The makeup they were applying made her look beautiful and ethereal.
"I don't think this is fine. Fix it."
Her voice rang through the room.
"Oh, and another thing—bring my afternoon smoothie. Room temperature, or else the next thing you know, it will be pouring down your body."
Nobody dared to say a word. One of the assistants hurriedly left and returned with her smoothie, handing it over with slightly trembling hands.
Vivienne's eyes flicked up, meeting the assistant's reflection in the mirror.
She brought the straw to her lips, taking a small sip before placing it back on the table.
"You can pour the rest," she ordered.
No one questioned her. No one ever did.
After all, who would dare speak against the only daughter of the Sterling family?
Everyone in the city knew—crossing Vivienne Sterling was a mistake.
The Sterling family was one of the richest and most powerful families in the country. The current head of the family, Chris Sterling, was her father, and his indulgent love for his daughter was well known.
After her graduation, Chris Sterling had even built a company for her, having discovered her passion and talent for fashion design.
Black Rose.
A company that now dominated the fashion industry.
And today marked its first anniversary.
After dressing up, Vivienne took one last look at herself in the mirror.
The silver gown wrapped perfectly around her body, highlighting her graceful curves. A slit ran up to her left thigh, giving her an air of both elegance and seduction.
As the CEO of Black Rose—also known as BR—Vivienne had to to give the opening speech.
She walked down the hallway, her heels striking sharply against the floor. Behind her, two bodyguards dressed in black followed closely.
When she reached the stage, she stepped forward alone.
The venue was already filled—with press, business moguls, and influential figures from the fashion industry.
The sound of cameras snapping filled the air as she faced the audience.
"Good evening, everyone."
Her voice carried effortlessly across the hall.
"As always, Black Rose has never disappointed, and today is no exception. On our first anniversary, I would like to thank everyone here and assure you—BR is here to stay."
She remained calm and composed, every word delivered with confidence.
Then—
Whispers began.
Soft at first. Then spreading.
The sound of cameras grew more frantic, as if something important had just happened.
People began pointing.
Looking at her differently.
Vivienne paused.
A faint crease formed between her brows as unease crept into her chest.
She turned instinctively.
The large screen behind her, which had been displaying Black Rose's logo, had changed.
A reporter's voice echoed through the hall—
"We are here live at the Sterling Group, where Chris Sterling has just been arrested. Reports indicate that he has been charged with colluding with the city mayor to embezzle funds from a recent government scheme."
Vivienne froze.
For a moment, her mind rejected it.
Not possible.
It couldn't be her family.
But then—
The screen showed it.
Her father.
Being taken away.
In handcuffs.
The color drained from her face.
There was no way this was happening.She thought.
The entire hall erupted.
"She always acts so high, yet her father is corrupt."
"I can't believe this is happening to the Sterling princess."
"What a slap to her face."
"This is good. She deserves it."
Voices overlapped, sharp and merciless.
Vivienne stood still, unable to move, unable to think.
The world around her blurred.
It wasn't until her bodyguards stepped forward that she was forced out of her daze. They quickly guided her off the stage, shielding her as the crowd grew louder, more aggressive.
Shouts followed her.
Judgment.
Mockery.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
A sharp pain struck her head.
Her vision dimmed.
The noise faded into nothing.
And then she lost consciousness.