The tall glass doors of the Vale Imperium Group's executive meeting floor slid open with a soft whoosh, revealing the sleek, marble-floored hallway beyond. Sharp clicks of designer heels echoed against the polished stone as Avery strode forward with her signature elegance—composed, confident, and every inch the heiress who ran the empire.
Just a step behind her, Naya, her efficient and ever-present secretary, trailed with a tablet in hand and a calm composure on her face.
Despite not being the official CEO—yet—Avery's authority was unquestioned. Her father, the current CEO and chairman, had long since stepped back from the daily operations. He now only oversaw legacy projects that bore his name. Everything else—the mergers, expansions, brand deals, internal restructures—ran through Avery.
Still, being the invisible CEO wasn't enough. She needed to be recognized as such. And this meeting, this project, was her battleground. Her test.