005. Entering the spotlights...

Chloe had never imagined herself in a limousine, heading to a world she had never known. Just days ago, she had been Chloe Sawyer, the discarded wife of Dan Sawyer, lost in the darkness of her blindness and the ruins of her marriage.

Now, she was Chloe Westbrook, the long-lost daughter of one of the most powerful families in the city, thrust into a life she had never expected.

Her fingers lightly brushed over the delicate stitching of her tailored suit. It was the first time in years she had worn anything other than simple, practical clothing. The fabric was smooth and expensive, a far cry from the modest wardrobe she had grown accustomed to.

But despite the change in status, the same gnawing uncertainty remained. Can I really do this? she wondered, her grip tightening around the handle of her cane as she took a deep breath.

"Are you ready, Chloe?” Adam’s voice broke through her thoughts. Her elder brother’s presence was a comforting anchor in this new and unfamiliar reality.

Despite her protests, he had insisted on driving her to work on her first day. As they neared their destination, she was grateful for his support.

“Yeah,” Chloe replied, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach.

She could feel the weight of what was about to happen pressing down on her, but she pushed it aside. She had to be strong. For herself, for her family.

As the limousine rolled to a stop, the faint murmur of voices and the distinct click of camera shutters reached Chloe's ears. Her heart skipped a beat. Paparazzi?

The realization hit her like a cold wave. She hadn’t expected this. She hadn’t anticipated the media attention.

But Adam had known. He had warned her that the world was watching, waiting to see the mysterious Westbrook heir who had reappeared after so many years.

“Just ignore them,” Adam whispered, his voice calm but firm as he stepped out of the car and moved to her side. “We’ll get through this quickly.”

Chloe nodded, though her heart pounded with every step she took. The flashes of cameras assaulted her from all angles as they stepped out of the limousine, and the voices grew louder as they approached the entrance of the headquarters of W Group of Companies.

The air was thick with anticipation, the reporters eager to catch a glimpse of the woman who had suddenly emerged from the shadows.

"Is that her? The Westbrook heir?”

“She’s blind—how can she manage an international company?”

“Where has she been all these years? Why now?”

"Miss Westbrook, is it true you’ve been living as a nobody? Can you confirm the rumors?”

"Is it true you’re the holder of the largest shares in W Group?”

Chloe kept her head high, her posture straight despite the onslaught of questions. They don’t know me, she reminded herself, forcing her steps to remain steady. They only know what they see—a blind woman, a mystery, a story.

The barrage of questions only intensified as they reached the double glass doors. “Miss Westbrook, do you think you’ll be able to handle an international group of companies? How will your blindness affect your leadership?”

The words hit Chloe like a slap, and she felt a flush of embarrassment creep up her neck.

She had prepared herself for skepticism, but hearing it aloud, in front of a sea of cameras, was harder than she had anticipated.

Adam’s hand was suddenly on her arm, guiding her forward. “Keep walking,” he whispered in a tense tone, trying to remain calm. Ruby could sense the protectiveness in his voice, the anger that these vultures dared to question his sister’s ability.

Chloe took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and continued forward. She wouldn’t let anyone get to her, especially not a nameless reporter looking for a headline.

She kept walking, determined to ignore the comments, but the sting of their words lingered in her mind. This is what they think of me—a blind woman with no place in this world.

As soon as they entered the building, Adam leaned into Chloe. “Are you sure you want to keep them in the dark? They’ll find out eventually.”

"I know,” Chloe replied quietly, “but I want to do this on my terms. I need to find my place here first, without all the expectations that come with being a Westbrook.”

Adam hesitated, then nodded. “All right, but I’ll be keeping an eye on things. Just know that I’m here if you need me.”

As they stepped in, the cool, air-conditioned lobby starkly contrasted the chaos outside. The marble floors were polished to a mirror-like sheen, and the elegant layout of the space spoke of power and prestige. But to Chloe, it was all just a blur.

She focused on the sound of her cane tapping lightly against the hard surface, grounding herself in the rhythmic movement.

As they walked further into the lobby towards the elevator, Adam discreetly pulled out his phone and texted his assistant:

Round up the reporters at the entrance, he typed, his fingers flying over the keys. Find out which media station they work for. I don’t care how you do it, just make sure they’re finding a new job by the end of the day.