Chapter 1: The Rise Of Tracy Whitmore

TRACY'S POV:

I stood at the edge of the rooftop, my gaze fixed on the glittering city lights that stretched endlessly before me. Folks City – the place I now call home. It is beautiful, powerful, and relentless. Just like me.

Five years ago, I was a naive  girl who believed in love, friendship, and loyalty. But life has a way of teaching cruel lessons, and I learned mine the hard way. I was Tracy Brooks, the girl who had a secret crush on her best friend's twin brother. I thought playing hard to get would make Dante notice me. And it worked. It worked too well.

I chuckled bitterly, recalling those years, when my heart raced at the mere thought of him. I was young and foolish. I fell for his charm, his sweet words, and those mesmerizing eyes that always seemed to see right through me. But he never really saw me, did he? To him, I was just a game. A bet.

If only I had known then what I know now. If only I had known that my best friend, Anna, would become my nightmare. She forgot all the childhood promises we made to each other, so easily . She didn't think twice before using her brother to ruin my life.

I still remember the look on her face when she walked in on Dante and me having sex. Her eyes were cold. She didn’t scream or shout. No, Anna was smarter than that. She simply walked out without a word.

I know that I didn't keep my own promise of seeing Dante as my brother. I fought with my heart not to fall for him but the more I fought that feeling, the more I fell deeper in love with him.

 I didn’t know she was the reason behind the whispers, the laughter, the bullying that followed me everywhere at school. Anna was the puppeteer, and I was her favorite toy to break.

And Dante... He was just a pawn in her game. But that didn’t make his betrayal any less painful. I gave him everything. I gave him my heart, my trust, my innocence. I gave him a child.

My fingers instinctively touched my stomach, remembering the life that once grew within me. I wanted to tell him. I wanted him to know he was going to be a father. But he never gave me the chance. Instead, he chose to humiliate me in the worst way possible – by proposing to Ava, right in front of me.

I still remember how the room spun, how my heart shattered into a million pieces. I stood there, frozen, watching the man I loved put a ring on another woman’s finger while everyone cheered. My world collapsed that night. And when my mother found the pregnancy test, she didn’t say a word. She just looked at me with disgust and threw me out of the house.

I was alone. Abandoned. Betrayed. Broken.

But life had one more surprise for me. In that darkest moment, I met him – my biological father. The man who was supposed to be dead. The man who turned out to be a billionaire. He took me in, sheltered me, trained me, and molded me into the woman I am today. Ruthless. Heartless. Unbreakable.

Love was my weakness. So I buried it. Along with every trace of the girl who once believed in fairy tales. Tracy Brooks died the night she was betrayed. Now,  Tracy Whitmore – the stone-hearted CEO who crushes men’s egos for fun is reborn.

I turned away from the city lights, my heels clicking against the marble floor as I walked back to my office. My assistant was waiting for me, her eyes wide with fear. “M-Miss Whitmore, the board members are ready for you.”

“Good,” I said coldly, adjusting my suit. “Let them wait a little longer. I want them to remember who holds the power here.”

Five years had passed, but the scars were still fresh. Dante, Anna, Ava... They took everything from me. But they didn’t break me.

I was back. And this time, I was going to make them pay.

“Get my laptop, and follow me”. I said to my assistant, Emilia who didn't hesitate a second before carrying out my order.

I entered the board room, my presence commanding attention from the board members. I took my seat at the head of the table. I saw fear, admiration from my board members.

“The market is doing well, and it's now the number one in the city and beyond. But we have not achieved our aims yet. My aim is to be the number one fashion designer in at least six different countries.

We have conquered about four countries with our designs, let's put in more effort to conquer the remaining countries”.

“Miss… Whitmore there is a company that wants to collaborate with us and after my background check on them, I found out that they will add value to this firm”. Mr Luis, my business development manager said amidst fear.

“Several companies want a collaboration with my company but none has met the standard that I set for them, so what makes you think that this very company would profit us?” I asked Mr Luis who started sweating profusely even with the AC on.

“You have no answer to my question?”. I asked with irritation evident in my tone.

“Well… Miss Whitmore, I suggest that you do more investigation yourself.  I have no issues with that”. 

“I don't want to collaborate with any company anymore. The level my business is in now, is the level that no collaboration is needed. So for now, stop accepting any business collaboration offer”. I said firmly. 

“Alright, Miss Whitmore”.

We discussed other matters arising before I adjourned the meeting because I had an important date I wanted to attend. Thinking about the plan I have installed for Lucas, brings immense joy to me. I can't wait to shatter his heart into pieces.