udia Wright leaned back in her chair, her eyes scanning the document in front of her. She couldn''t believe what she was seeing. Her father had been in partnership with Harris Company for years, yet Solstice Vineyard was only getting a 30% cut of the profits, while Harris Company pocketed 70%. "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath, a sharp scoff escaping her lips.


    She tapped her finger against the table, feeling the frustration build, but then-her eyesnded on a photo of Alexander Harris. He was handsome, annoyingly so, with a confident grin that made her smirk in return. Her finger traced his image as if mocking the smile on his face.


    "We''ll be meeting soon, Alex." she whispered to herself, her smirk turning into a determined grin.


    The morning of the press release had arrived, and ire Peterson was more than just nervous-she hadn''t slept all night, barely touched her breakfast, and now her stomach was doing flips like it was prepping for a gymnasticspetition.


    As she sat in the back seat of the sleek ck car, her all-white pantsuit stood out, giving her that crisp, ssy look she was going for. Professional. Like she was ready to handle anything, even if she felt like she was about to faint.


    Beside her, Matthew nced at her and gave her a reassuring smile. "You''re going to nail this, ire. Seriously, everything''s lined up. You''ve got this."


    ire let out a shaky breath and nodded. "Thanks, Matt. I don''t know what I''d do without you helping me hold it together."


    Matthewughed. "You''d be just fine. But hey, I like the hero role, so I''ll take it."


    As the car pulled up in front of the venue, ire spotted a small crowd of journalists and photographers gathered at the entrance, their cameras already aimed at the vehicle like they were waiting for a movie star to step out. She could feel her heartbeat speeding up. There was no turning back now.


    "Here goes nothing," she muttered.


    "You got this," Matthew said, his tone light, though there was genuine belief behind it. "Go out there and show them who ire Peterson really is."


    ire couldn''t help but chuckle at that. "Show them who I am, huh?" She opened the door, and the shing cameras immediately lit up like fireworks. Showtime.


    ire stepped out, instantly switching on her best camera-ready smile. She posed here and there, the familiar feeling of lights shing in her face bringing a bit offort. It was the calm before the storm, a routine she could handle.


    As she moved toward the entrance, a journalist called out, "Ms. Peterson! What are your expectations for the press release today?"


    Without missing a beat, ire shed a yful grin. "Well, I''m expecting it to go well... and for me not to mess it up." The small crowd chuckled, and ire felt the tension ease just a little.


    Humor was her friend today.


    But then another journalist stepped forward, microphone extended. "This is Metacortex''s first press release. Are you following in the footsteps of Venus AMD?"


    That name. ire felt her blood boil for just a split second. Venus AMD. The very thought of their name felt like a mosquito buzzing in her ear. But she kept her smile, professional as ever, and chuckled lightly. "Metacortex doesn''t follow anyone. We set our own path." She turned to the camera, giving it a knowing look, and then headed inside before they could dig any deeper.


    Once she was inside, she let out a breath she didn''t realize she was holding. The lights, the cameras, the questions-she handled it. But now, the real challenge wasing. The press release was just about to start, and it was her moment to make Metacortex shine. She hurried backstage, immediately checking in with the team. "Everything good? How''s the setup?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room as she tried to keep the nervous energy from leaking into her voice.


    The team gave her thumbs up all around. "We''re good, Ms. Peterson!" someone called from the back.


    Stephen, one of her key team members, peeked through the curtains and let out a low whistle. "There are more people out there than we expected. You sure we''re ready for this?"


    ire grinned, feeling a little of her confidence returning. "We''re more than ready. We''re going to ace this."


    The entrance is still filled with important people attending the press release of Metacortex. Alexander exited the car, and the camera shed on him. He smiled at the camera and nodded at them. One of the journalists is keen to get his interview.


    "Mr. Harris, please one question." Alex noticed her and nodded. "The world knows that Harris Hotel is teaming up with Metacortex for your new project in Las Vegas. What do you expect from this press release?'' "Well, I''ve seen what ire and herpany presented so I have faith in her."


    Another journalist chimed in. "What if Ms. Peterson fails to fulfill your expectations, Mr. Harris?"


    A calm smile grazed his lips. "ire Peterson is the most perfectionist person I have ever met. As I said earlier, I have faith in her."


    He nodded at them and headed inside.


    Frank Potter and Robert Robertson step out of the car. The camera noticed and turned their attention to them.


    "Mr. Potter! It''s a surprise seeing you here. Did ire Peterson invite you?"


    Frank shook his head and chuckled. "No, ire Peterson is too busy to be handling invitations but as a business owner, we support each other."


    The journalist turned their attention


    to Robert Robertson. "Mr.


    Robertson you were working for


    ire a few years ago and was


    CEO of Metacortex and now you are working for Venus, are you sure ire allow you to attend?"


    "Why wouldn''t she allow me?" he said with a chuckle.


    The director approached, giving ire a nod. "You''re on in fifteen minutes. Good luck, Ms. Peterson."


    ire swallowed the lump in her throat. Fifteen minutes. That was nothing. "Thanks," she said, her voice barely steady. As the director walked away, she caught a glimpse of someone out of the corner of her eye.


    She turned to find Adrian standing there, looking calm and collected as always.


    "Adrian!" ire couldn''t help but smile as she rushed over to him, giving him a quick hug. "What are you doing here?"


    Adrian chuckled, giving her a gentle squeeze before stepping back. "What do you think? I''m here to support you."


    ire blinked in surprise, warmth spreading through her chest. "You came just for me?"


    "Of course." Adrian shrugged casually, but the grin on his face was full of affection. "Can''t have you facing all these reporters alone, can I?"


    ire felt her nerves settle a bit more just by his presence. "I don''t know what to say... Thanks, Adrian. Really."


    He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "No need to thank me. Just go out there and show them what you''re made of." ire smiled, feeling a little lighter. "You always know what to say."


    "That''s why you keep me around," he teased, winking at her.


    Just then, Stephen popped his head through the curtain again. "It''s almost showtime, ire. You ready?"


    "As ready as ever be," ire


    replied, adjusting her zer and rolling her shoulders to ease the tension. She could hear the crowd getting louder as more people filled in, the buzz of excitement almost tangible from backstage.


    This was it.