Chapter 1

Victoria Sterling sat in her sleek, minimalist cabin, the floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city skyline. The room was a testament to modern luxury, yet its cold, impersonal decor mirrored its owner's demeanor. At 28, Victoria had already built an empire, her company the pinnacle of success in its field.

She wore a perfectly tailored suit, the sharp lines accentuating her commanding presence. Her long coat hung from her shoulders, adding an extra layer of authority to her already formidable appearance. Every detail of her attire was meticulously chosen, down to the stilettos that clicked ominously against the polished floor as she moved.

Victoria's eyes, a piercing shade of blue, scanned through the files on her desk with surgical precision. Her face remained an impassive mask, revealing nothing of the storm of thoughts whirling in her mind. Emotions were a foreign concept to her, something she had long since discarded in favor of relentless ambition. People were tools, assets to be managed, and she connected with them only insofar as they were useful to her goals.

The air in the room seemed to chill whenever she focused those icy eyes on someone, her expressions alone enough to cut down any opposition. Her reputation for being able to 'kill with a look' was not an exaggeration; subordinates and rivals alike wilted under her gaze.

The only sound was the rustle of papers and the soft hum of the city below, both of which Victoria drowned out, lost in her world of strategic decisions and calculated risks. She preferred it this way, her work a fortress against the messy unpredictability of human emotions.

She paused for a moment, her cold, calculating eyes glancing at the clock on the wall. The hands pointed to 12.

Her expression remained impassive as she methodically packed her laptop and organized the remaining documents. Each movement was precise and deliberate, reflecting her no-nonsense attitude. Victoria stood and walked to the door, her footsteps echoing softly in the stillness of the cabin.

The night air was crisp and cool as she stepped outside, but it did nothing to soften her demeanor. The parking lot was empty and silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves in the distance. Her gaze, sharp and unyielding, scanned the area as she made her way to her car.

Her luxurious vehicle sat under the dim light of the overhead lamps, its sleek lines a mirror of her own composed exterior. She unlocked the car with a swift motion, slid into the driver's seat, and started the engine. The car roared to life, its powerful hum a stark contrast to the surrounding silence.

Victoria's eyes, hard and unfeeling, stared straight ahead as she drove off.

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Victoria pulled up to the gates of her sprawling estate, her car's headlights cutting through the darkness. She pressed a button, and the gates swung open silently. Driving up the long, tree-lined driveway, she felt the familiar sense of isolation that came with her home. She preferred it that way—no distractions, no idle chatter.

As she parked and stepped out of the car, she noticed something unusual. Her maids and butlers were gathered near the entrance, their expressions anxious and uncertain. It was against her strict rules for any staff to be visible when she arrived home.

Her eyes narrowed, and she approached them with her characteristic deadly glare. "Did you all forget the rules?" she asked coldly, her voice slicing through the tension like a knife.

The staff exchanged nervous glances until one maid, slightly trembling, stepped forward. She held out a letter with both hands, her eyes avoiding Victoria's piercing gaze. "This arrived for you, ma'am," the maid said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Victoria took the letter without a word, her expression unchanging. She dismissed the staff with a curt nod, and they quickly dispersed, eager to escape her presence. Alone once more, she examined the letter, noting the fine quality of the paper and the unfamiliar handwriting on the envelope.

Without hesitation, she tore it open, eager to discover what had disrupted her meticulously ordered world.

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