Hearing Abigail words Victoria said nothing, though her jaw clenched. She knew Abigail was right. The prestige she commanded in the elite social circle wasn’t solely her own doing. It was compounded by the assumption that she would soon beco Robert’s wife, an alliance between two powerful families. An alliance that would elevate her even higher.
Then Abigail leaned even more forward, her expression fierce. "But now, suddenly, there’s another woman. This... Cora. And she’s stealing the spotlight, becoming the subject of every conversation, every rumor. You think the Girls circle won’t notice? You think they won’t whisper behind your back?"
Imdiately she shook her head, almost pitying. "They’ll mock you, Victoria. They’ll laugh in secret, pretend to sympathize, but deep down they’ll relish seeing you fall."
The words cut deeper than Victoria wanted to admit. Her breathing slowed as anger swelled inside her, mixing with sothing colder fear. Not fear of losing Robert, but fear of losing control over the carefully built image she had maintained for years.
However Abigail didn’t stop. "And you know how brutal the Girls circle can be. We’re not talking about just any social club. This is the organization the daughters of the most powerful families in the country. Their approval has always been your shield. Their respect? Your weapon. And now?" She spread her hands in exasperation. "Now you’re risking it all because of one woman you don’t even fully understand is coming in fast."
Victoria straightened slowly in her chair, her eyes sharpening.
She had worked too hard to rise above those won, to lead them, to be admired and envied in equal asure. And now this Cora threatened to undo it all with nothing but proximity to Robert.
"She won’t humiliate ," Victoria murmured, her voice low but firm.
Abigail caught the shift in her tone and smirked knowingly. "Good. Then do sothing about it. Because if the Girls circle catches wind of this if they even suspect you’ve been replaced it won’t just be Robert you lose. It’ll be everything. Your influence, your standing, your place among them."
Again Victoria’s hands curled into fists on her lap. The thought of those won the so-called elite smirking behind her back, whispering about Cora’s sudden rise while pitying her fall, ignited more fire in her chest. As leader of the Girls circle, she had never tolerated challenges to her authority. She certainly wasn’t about to start now.
"No," she whispered, more to herself than to Abigail. Her expression hardened, resolve settling into her bones. "I won’t allow it. Not now. Not ever."
Victoria’s voice cut through the room like sharpened glass, each syllable laced with conviction.
At that mont she rose from her seat slowly, her elegant posture never faltering as her eyes hardened.
"No matter what it takes," she said, her tone low and resolute, "I’m going to get to the root of this. And if what I’m thinking is true..." She paused, her nails digging lightly into her palm again, "then I will never fold my hands and watch so nobody, I don’t care who she is step into my life and steal what rightfully belongs to . I won’t allow it."
Then Abigail studied her quietly, a hint of satisfaction playing on her lips. Victoria rarely made promises she couldn’t keep, and when she did, they always ca wrapped in fire.
However Victoria turned back to her, voice softening but no less firm. "Don’t worry about this," she continued, straightening the hem of her dress. "I know exactly what I’m going to do, and I’ll handle it perfectly fine. You just sit back and watch."
**
Samuel stood in front of the headquarters of Crown Star Entertainnt, the towering building frad by morning light. For years, MK Entertainnt had ruled as the number‑one powerhouse in the industry, but Crown Star had always been on their heels ambitious, relentless, eager to claim the top spot.
Now, Samuel planned to hand them the weapon they needed to win.
He stood there for a mont, letting the sight of the glass building sink in. The thought of overtaking MK, of overtaking Cora sent a small, self‑satisfied smirk curling across his lips. ’Let her watch rise without her. Let her choke on it.’
The automatic doors slid open as he approached, and imdiately the atmosphere changed. Inside, Crown Star’s lobby humd with energy. Employees who had been briefed on his arrival straightened their posture, whispers rippling through the air as their eyes followed him. Samuel walked with the confidence of soone who already knew the effect he had on people calm on the outside, yet humming with quiet defiance on the inside.
Waiting for him at the far end of the marble hall was Adrian Blake, the agency’s formidable director, a man known for turning scandals into opportunities and underdogs into stars. His suit was immaculate, his smile sharp, and his handshake firm.
"Samuel," Adrian greeted warmly, his voice smooth as silk. "Welco to Crown Star Entertainnt. We’ve been expecting you."
Samuel clasped his hand, his own smile equally practiced, equally cold. "I’m glad to be here," he replied. "This partnership... is going to change everything."
Adrian’s gaze sharpened with understanding, a glint of ambition flashing in his eyes. "Oh, it will,"
Samuel’s voice carried an edge of command as he spoke, his gaze fixed on Adrian Blake, the director of Crown Star Entertainnt.
"Imdiately after I sign the contract," Samuel said, his tone sharp yet deceptively calm, "I want the press conference to happen. I want it huge, bigger than anything MK Entertainnt could ever dream of arranging. I told you this yesterday, I’m not here for a quiet signing. I have sothing important to announce, sothing that will shake things up."
Adrian, standing across from him with a gleam in his eye, gave a slow nod. The man was no stranger to spectacle; if Samuel wanted a show, Crown Star would deliver one.
"No problem," Adrian replied smoothly. "Everything has been arranged. The press, the dia outlets, influencers, they’re already here. The mont you put pen to paper, we walk straight into the conference room, and you’ll have the stage you’re asking for."
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