Sarah walked through her penthouse, her heels clicking on the cold marble, the lights of the city blinking outside. She hadn’t slept in two days. Her phone was dead somewhere under a couch. She didn’t care.Kara trailed behind her, holding a list. “Ms. Chen, you need to approve the new strategy—”“No,” Sarah snapped. “We’re going to London. Call the jet.”Kara paused. “London?”Sarah turned, her eyes red, her hair messy. “There’s a conference. Deals. Investors. We fix everything.”At the private airport, Sarah stepped out of the black car, wearing dark glasses and a gray trench coat. Her lips were pale, but she lifted her chin as the cameras outside the terminal spotted her.“Sarah, are you fleeing the country?” a reporter shouted.Sarah ignored them, walking toward the private terminal doors as Kara rushed behind her with bags. Inside, the marble floors gleamed, quiet except for the low hum of private jets outside.

Sarah stood in the kitchen of her penthouse, staring at the trays of food on the counter. Cold bagels. Lukewarm coffee. Leftover fruit from yesterday, cut and rearranged on a silver platter. This was not what she wanted. “It’s fine,” she muttered to herself. “They’ll come for me, not the food.” Kara hovered in the corner, clutching a tablet. “Ms. Chen, the catering canceled. The payment didn’t go through.” Sarah’s eyes snapped to her, sharp and cold. “Shut up, Kara. It’s fine.” The penthouse was cold, the giant windows showing the gray city outside. The dining table was set with the best plates she had, but the cheap food looked out of place under the crystal chandelier. She adjusted the flowers in the vase, forcing them to look fuller than they were. Her phone buzzed. Damien’s name. She answered immediately. “Damien. I need you here,” she sa

Sarah stood in the cold morning air, her breath fogging as she adjusted her coat. The charity event banners flapped in the breeze: “Chen Industries Gives Back.” A small stage had been set up in front of a local children’s shelter, cameras positioned to capture her “redemption.” Kara stood beside her, holding a clipboard, checking the schedule. “Ms. Chen, the press is ready.” Sarah took a deep breath, forcing a smile. “Today, we show them who I am.” The small crowd included local reporters, influencers with ring lights, and a few curious parents holding their kids. The shelter’s director, a kind woman with tired eyes, stood nervously near the podium. Sarah stepped forward, her heels clicking on the stage. She looked out at the cameras, her smile wide, arms open. “Thank you for coming,” she said loudly, her voice carrying. “Today is about the future. Today is about giving back.” The influencers f

Sarah stood on the balcony of her penthouse, staring at the empty rooftop prepared for tonight. Strings of fairy lights glowed above a long white table set with candles, fresh flowers, and gold-rimmed glasses that caught the dying light of the sunset. The city skyline blinked around her, uncaring, as she forced her shoulders to relax. She checked her reflection in the glass door, smoothing her hair, adjusting her black dress that hugged her body tightly. Her lips were painted a soft red, but she still felt pale. “Tonight is the night,” she whispered to herself. “They’ll see I’m still powerful.” Kara walked onto the balcony, holding her tablet, checking the RSVP list for the tenth time. “Ms. Chen,” she said quietly, “most of the influencers confirmed. We have fifteen major names coming.” Sarah nodded, not looking at her. “And the champagne? The catering?” Kara hesi

Sarah zipped up her cream puffer jacket, the cold mountain air biting her cheeks as she stepped off the private shuttle van. The luxury retreat lodge loomed ahead, cedar wood walls, glass windows reflecting the snowy pines. She forced herself to breathe, letting out a fog of warmth into the crisp air. She glanced behind her, watching influencers step out, pulling their designer bags, live-streaming the snowy scene. “At the Chen Influencer Retreat!” “Queen Sarah’s back, babes.” “#ChenComeback.” Sarah’s lips twitched into a smile, adjusting her beanie. Today would be the start of her real comeback. Kara shuffled beside her, holding a clipboard, breath clouding the air. “Ms. Chen, the spa packages are confirmed. The chef is ready. The social team says the posts are live.” Sarah nodded, scanning the hashtags on her phone: #ChenRetreat #QueenReturns #LuxuryWeekend