ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY ONE

SYLVIA'S POV

I woke up that morning with a sense of determination, shaking off the lingering frustration from Jocelia's pathetic attempt at a smear campaign last night. She'd gone on some talk show, spouting her usual nonsense, but I couldn’t let that get to me. My day was packed with important tasks, and I needed to stay focused. The kids were already up and about, Zenith playing with his toys while Zendaya was brushing her hair in the bathroom. After getting them ready for school, I made sure they had their lunches packed and kissed them goodbye as they headed out the door.

I took a deep breath as I dressed for work, selecting a sleek navy-blue dress that would command respect without being too flashy. Today was a big day for the company—the opening of our newly refurbished building. This wasn’t just any building; it represented the growth and resilience of my business, the very things Jocelia had tried to undermine. I glanced at the clock and grabbed my keys, determined to make the