Chapter 1
The room erupted in applause as Sophie Maxwell’s name echoed through the grand hall. It was the third consecutive year she had won the Golden Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Elite Business Club, and the entire audience was on its feet, honoring her for a feat that most could only dream of. Though she moved with the poise and grace of a seasoned professional, it was the energy around her—her fierce confidence—that truly captivated everyone. Her presence alone commanded the room.
As she stepped onto the stage to accept the award, Sophie gave her usual professional, well-rehearsed acceptance speech. “Thank you to the committee, my team, my family, and everyone who’s supported me. This achievement would not have been possible without your belief in me.” Her words were warm, polished, and expected—exactly what the crowd wanted to hear.
But inside, Sophie’s thoughts ran in a different direction. The truth was that this moment, this recognition, was the result of everything she had sacrificed, everything she had sacrificed others for. She had gotten to where she was because of her sharp focus, unyielding will, and yes—her poisonous heart. That bitter, cynical core had propelled her through betrayal, disappointment, and countless sleepless nights. Every step she had taken had been calculated, and with each victory, the emptiness in her chest grew a little wider.
But tonight, the applause was deafening. The Elite Business Club, or EBC as it was known, had cemented itself as the apex of the business world. A twenty-year-old international network, it was the ocean that pulled together every big fish, from industry giants to start-up moguls. For many, joining the EBC was the golden ticket to legitimacy, a brand that represented exclusivity. And while Sophie didn’t need the EBC to validate her, it didn’t hurt to be crowned queen of the network, year after year.
After the ceremony, Sophie made her way to the designated interview section for winners, where a familiar face awaited her. Jason Lane.
Sophie had long ago placed Jason firmly on her Hate List. He was relentless in his line of questioning, and no matter how often she faced him, his words still had the power to irk her. He had mastered the art of the perfect, irritating question, always probing just enough to get under her skin. Sophie had imagined killing him a hundred times in her mind—each scenario more creative than the last. But, unfortunately, Jason was skilled at his job, well-connected in the business world, and an integral part of the network that Sophie couldn’t afford to alienate. He was a necessary evil.
“Congratulations on your win, Sophie!” Jason said, his smile smug as he adjusted his microphone.
“Thank you, Jason,” Sophie replied, her tone polite but tight. She didn’t waste energy on small talk.
Jason wasted no time in launching into his first question. “But I’m not surprised, you know. Look at your brand—it’s everywhere! It’s popular across all ages, genders, and races. It’s the top-selling brand in cosmetics, and if this keeps up, it might soon become synonymous with the word cosmetic itself.”
Sophie managed a small smile, the satisfaction of his compliment momentarily breaking through her steely exterior. “I hope your words come true,” she said, a glimmer of genuine hope in her voice. Despite the venom in her heart, the businesswoman in her could still appreciate success when it was reflected in numbers and global recognition.
The interview progressed as expected, with questions about her vision, her achievements, and the challenges she had overcome. But just as Sophie thought she might get away unscathed, Jason lobbed the question she had been dreading, the one she knew was coming, yet couldn’t quite prepare for.
“Let’s end this with one final question, Sophie. Your stepmother, the versatile, one of my personal favorites, Veronica Maxwell, just won the ‘Best Actress Award’ for the year! What do you have to say about that?”
The question hit Sophie like a slap in the face. Her stepmother. Veronica. The woman who had taken her father’s place in her life, who had replaced her mother in his heart, and who had somehow managed to worm her way into the spotlight despite all the damage she had caused.
Sophie inhaled slowly, forcing the smile to stay intact as she struggled to keep her composure. The words she had carefully prepared in her head found their way to her lips. “Well, there’s no doubt that Veronica is one of the finest actresses in the industry. She had a huge hit this year after seven consecutive flops, so she definitely deserved the award.”
Her voice was cool, professional, and if you didn’t know her, you might have thought it was sincere. But underneath it, there was an edge—a coldness that Jason failed to detect as he nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer.
The rest of the interview passed in a blur, but Sophie felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She had done the right thing. She had stayed composed, kept her dignity intact. But every word about Veronica , every mention of her father’s betrayal, only made the old wounds burn a little hotter.
After the event, Sophie stepped outside into the cool night air. She nodded at the staff members who congratulated her, her mind still heavy with the questions she had been forced to answer.
Sophie’s driver, Lily, a woman in her early forties with a warm, welcoming smile, opened the door for her. “Congratulations, Madam!” she said, her voice full of genuine pride.
“Thank you, Lily,” Sophie replied, her voice slightly distant. As they drove away from the venue, Sophie sank back into the leather seat, letting out a long, controlled breath.
Sensing her unease, Lily glanced at her through the rearview mirror and, in an attempt to lighten the mood, selected a peppy song from the playlist. She set the volume to a decent level, and soon, the upbeat melody filled the car.
A small, fleeting smile crossed Sophie’s lips as she closed her eyes and let the music wash over her. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to escape—away from the business, the expectations, the constant pressure to perform.
But as the song played, Sophie couldn’t silence the thoughts racing through her mind. Veronica ’s victory, her father’s betrayal, the blood that ran cold between them—it all lurked beneath the surface, threatening to break free.
This win, the recognition, the title of Golden Entrepreneur—it was all just a mask. Because beneath it all, Sophie Maxwell was still that little girl, the one who had watched her family crumble, the one who had grown up in the shadows of her parents’ broken love story. And no amount of applause, no shiny gold trophies, could fill that void.
Still, she had learned long ago that the world didn’t care about the darkness that lingered inside. The world only saw the brand. The empire she had built from the ashes of her past.
And Sophie Maxwell had learned how to wear the mask.
