Chapter 76

Chloe’s POV

The red carpet stretched out in front of the building like a declaration.

Deep crimson fabric rolled smoothly from the entrance all the way to the media barricade, perfectly pressed, spotless, glowing under rows of bright white lights mounted on metal frames. The lights were harsh and unforgiving, designed to reveal everything. No shadows. No hiding. Above it all, banners bearing the company’s logo hung elegantly, celebrating twenty years of power, wealth, and carefully curated success.

Cameras were already flashing before I even stepped fully onto it.

The moment my heels touched the carpet, the noise doubled.

“Chloe!”

“Over here!”

“Miss Chloe, look this way!”

The sound of shutters clicking was relentless, rapid-fire, like gunshots. Flashes exploded in front of my face, bright enough to momentarily blur my vision. Microphones were thrust forward, hands overlapping, reporters leaning past one another, desperate for a