Red Dress

9:00 AM. Lane Group Headquarters.

The entire building was waiting.

Chloe stood at the entrance in a pure white designer dress, looking like an angel. She held Ethan Miller's arm. Her cheek was still swollen from my slap yesterday, covered with thick foundation, but she smiled perfectly.

"Everyone, today Sophia will officially take over Project Starlight. As her sister, I am so proud!" she said to the reporters she had secretly called.

The reporters whispered.

"I heard she slapped her sister in the hospital yesterday..."

"She married overnight just for money, no wonder Chloe is more suited..."

"Project Starlight needs a clean image, not someone who hits family..."

Ethan squeezed Chloe's hand. "Don't worry. Today the board will vote to remove her as Project Manager. My father already spoke to three directors. As long as you bring out your design, Starlight is yours."

Chloe smiled. In her bag was a stolen design — MY design. The one I drew for three years for my mother's rose garden, that she stole from my old computer.

At 9:15, a black Bugatti stopped.

The door opened.

First, a pair of long legs in black pants. Alexander Knight stepped out, in a black suit, cold face, sunglasses. The reporters went crazy, flashing lights.

Then he walked to the other side and opened the door himself.

A hand reached out. Then a leg. Then — me.

I was wearing a blood-red tight suit, long hair curled, red lipstick, ten-centimeter black heels. Alexander's jacket was gone. Now it was my own armor. Powerful, sexy, dangerous.

I wasn't the crying Miss Lane anymore. I was Mrs. Knight.

I walked up the steps, Alexander's hand on my lower back.

Chloe's smile froze.

"Sister... you came..."

I didn't even look at her. I looked at the reporters.

"Thank you all for coming today to witness Lane Group's new beginning," I said, my voice clear. "Yesterday, some rumors said I married for money. Today I clarify — yes. I did marry for money. 2 billion dollars of investment that Knight Empire gave to Project Starlight. Because I, Sophia Lane, am worth it."

I took the contract from Alexander and held it up.

The reporters exploded.

2 BILLION!

Ethan's face turned green. His Miller Group only gave 50 million.

Chloe bit her lip. "Sister, it's good to have money, but Project Starlight needs a good design. Money can't buy taste. I prepared—"

"You prepared my design," I cut her off, smiling.

Chloe panicked. "What are you—"

I clapped my hands.

The big screen behind the entrance that was supposed to show Lane Group's logo suddenly lit up.

It was security footage from my old house. Chloe sneaking into my room at 2 AM, copying files from my computer to her USB drive. Date: Three days before Grandpa died.

The crowd gasped.

"That's not— that's fake! Sophia, you faked it!" Chloe screamed.

"Fake?" I laughed. "Then let's compare. Chloe, show your design."

Chloe, shaking, pulled out her USB. Her design appeared on screen. A beautiful rose garden city.

Then I pulled out mine. The exact same design, but with time stamps from three years ago, and hundreds of sketches of my mother in the rose garden.

And at the bottom of my design, one line:

_For my mother, Linda. May she wake up and see roses again._

My mother loved roses. Everyone in Lane Group knew that. Chloe's version didn't have that line.

The board members who came out to watch looked at Chloe with disgust.

My father, who had just arrived, saw the screen and closed his eyes.

I walked up to Chloe, in my red heels, towering over her white dress.

"Chloe Lane, you stole my mother, you stole my father, you stole my design. But from today, you can't steal anything anymore."

I turned to the board.

"Vote now. Who supports me, Sophia Lane, as Project Manager of Starlight?"

Alexander stepped forward, taking off his sunglasses.

His eyes swept over every director.

No one dared to vote no.

"Unanimous," Alexander said coldly. "My wife is now the boss."

Chloe collapsed on the floor, her white dress dirty, mascara running.

And I, in my red dress, walked into Lane Group with my husband, stepping right over her.

This was my company now.