CHAPTER 1

"Miss Morgan, Miss Morgan, a word."

"Miss Morgan, over here."

"Ma'am, can we have your attention?"

The reporters waiting outside the court swarmed over with their cameras to the elegant lady as she and her legal team walked out of the courtroom.

It wasn't new to have people surround her like that. As the youngest female billionaire in America, she was used to reporters crowding around her.

Their questions came in from all directions, running from her personal life to her conquests in the business world and requests for interviews.

Most times, she'd let her secretary handle the media. 

With her busy schedules, she barely had time to face them. Add to that, some of their questions toed the line and if anything, she hated anyone trying to pry into her personal life.

Everyone knew how nosy the media could get. Those annoying reporters would stop at nothing to get what they wanted and the heavens knew her patience was thin.

"Never make the mistake of losing your cool before the media. They will attack you from all sides. If you fall into their trap and react in the way they want you to, they'll utilize it as a weapon against you. It's your reputation that goes down the drain."

"Besides, people love a good scandal. The media can create scandals even from the smallest words. One wrong move, and you're the villain in their story."

She never forgot the teachings of her former tutor, Blake Jarrett. The old man taught her most of the things she knew about business. Because of him, she was able to manipulate her way through the business world.

"Ma'am," her assistant leaned in, "do we address them or set up a press conference?" Then she looked around, saying again, "Tim isn't here."

Veronica raised her hand, silencing her. She stopped walking, her companions stopped too, and in half a second, the reporters were crowded around her again.

"Miss Morgan, is it true that the court has ruled in your favor?"

"Miss Morgan, will you now take over Sterling Industries?"

"Miss Morgan, speculations are going around that you bribed the jury."

Veronica lowered her head, smiling to herself at the last question she heard. Everyone was silent when she looked up. Her voice was sonorous with underlying sultry notes when she addressed them.

"Everyone has been aware of the ongoing feuds between my company and Sterling Industries. I do not want to go into details; some of them are confidential, but you should know that no one who attempts to doublecross me gets away with it.

"As for the hearing, the court ruled in my favor because I presented enough evidence against the defense. You should know that I do not start a case unless my victory is guaranteed. But if the defense has a problem, they can take the case to the court of appeals."

"Miss Morgan," a reporter called out, "they say you took this case to court because things went rough between you and Greg Sterling. Is that true?"

Veronica recognized the reporter speaking. She was one of the lackeys Greg's family paid to speak in their favor during times like this. 

Alternatively, her job was smudging dirt on the opposing camp.

It wasn't hard figuring out the trap that she set with her deceptive question. Smooth laughter rolled off Veronica's tongue at how shallow her game plan was.

"Sad, isn't it?" She asked the reporter, "How do some of you associate important affairs with baseless rumors? But just to clear the air, Gregory Sterling and I have nothing going on. This matter has nothing to do with our relationships. It's purely business."

"Miss Morgan," another one called, "now that you've won the case, what do you plan on doing to Sterling Industries?"

Determination set in her as she replied to the question. Her plans were set.

"Well, the court has ruled that Sterling Industries must make restitution to me. I plan on taking ownership of White Bay Resort." And no, she didn't care if her plans should have been confidential.

"Is that your vendetta against the Sterlings? Are you so vicious, Miss Morgan?" It was the same reporter. She marked her down, Zhenny Hernandez. The woman was getting on her nerves.

"No," she smiled sweetly at her. "I'm not so evil. But in this case, restitution has to be made for my losses. Like I said before, it's not revenge. Business is business."

There was nothing the Sterling family could do to her now that she had proven their attempts to steal from her company.

For their fraud, she would make them pay a big price. White Bay Resort was the first among the high-priced possessions she planned on taking from them.

Before any more questions could come in, she concluded the short interview.

"Excuse me, folks but I have business to attend to. My secretary will reach out to you if there are any new developments."

They started to protest but she was already walking away with her bodyguards warding off anyone who tried to come close to her.

"Ma'am, congratulations on your win." It came from her attorney, Lewis Colenhan.

"No, I have you and the other lawyers to thank for that." Indeed, if it wasn't for her strong legal team and the cooperativeness of the witnesses, she doubted she would have won.

"And permit me to commend how you handled the media," he added.

Veronica smiled. Keeping a cool demeanor while addressing people was a talent she mastered from childhood.

Despite the turmoil inside her, she could keep up a calm and unreadable face. It was one of the skills that rendered her opponents unable to predict her next moves.

"So, now that we will acquire their resort, what else do you want from the Sterlings?" He asked. The vehicle began moving and she looked outside, letting her attention waver on the beauty of New York.

"Ma'am," her assistant presented her phone. Someone was calling her.

The male voice that boomed through with curses as soon as she picked up the call made her narrow her eyes.

"Veronica, you lying bitch. How dare you accuse my family of fraud?"

"And how dare you spread rumors about me and you?" She fired back.

"It's true, isn't it?" Greg retorted.

Veronica chuckled, pinching her nose bridge. "Don't make me laugh, Greg."

"Oh, you'll be laughing if you don't withdraw your statements. Call a press conference, tell them you lied against my family, and redress."

Proud and pompous, the heir of the Sterlings thought he could threaten her.

"I won't. Take this as a dare, but I won't stop till I make all of you pay. You called me a bitch, I'll show you a bitch," she snarled into the phone.

Greg fumed. "Veronica," he called in a warning tone, "you'll regret this."

"I'll regret a lot of things," she maintained her calm disposition. "But don't let it bother you."

Then she cut off the call. Originally, she planned on taking a few properties from the Sterlings but now that their heir had threatened her, she would take everything.

"Youk now, Lewis..." She trailed off, resting on the window pane.

"Taking forty percent shares from Sterling Industries gives me certain privileges, doesn't it?"