Chapter 14: The one who smiles sweetly

Headlines screamed in bold fonts across every major publication:

“Damien Lancaster Crushes Sterling Corporation: Alliance Crumbles in Public Fallout”

“Sterling Heiress Cassandra Calls Lancaster ‘Emotionally Unstable and Unprofessional’”

“Lancaster Marriage: Love or Leverage?”

A thin wisp of steam curled up from a delicate porcelain teacup.

The woman holding it didn’t blink as she turned the page.

Her manicured fingers paused over Cassandra Sterling’s quote:

“I don’t wish to speak ill of anyone, but professionalism should come from both sides of a business table. Damien Lancaster has shown he lacks the maturity to lead as his grandfather once did.”

The cup was returned to its saucer with soft finality.