1 Miss Smith

Ace Empire, a formidable conglomerate, held a commanding position in various consumer markets, and its significance became even more pronounced as Megan Smith, the sole heir, stepped into a leadership role following her father's retirement announcement a month ago.

Unlike her older brother Daniel, who chose to oversee the conglomerate's medical sector and successfully managed the flourishing "Sain" chain of hospitals, Megan was now at the helm of the entire enterprise. Despite Daniel's divergence from their father's business vision, he remained an exceptional brother, providing support to Megan, who had often felt overshadowed within their empire-centric family.

As Megan prepared for a crucial speech at the main event, Cherrie, her best friend and personal assistant, played a vital role in the preparations. A recent business administration graduate, Cherrie's call provided essential details about the city's elite attendees and served as a reminder of crucial information.

After the call, Megan joined her family for breakfast in the dining room. The small gathering, consisting of her father, mother, brother, and grandmother, set an extra place at the table, symbolizing the absence of Megan's grandmother.

"Is Grandma not joining us today?" Megan inquired.

"Unfortunately," Daniel replied. "But cheer up; it's a significant day for you."

"You're attending the event?" Megan asked.

"Of course, I need to be there," Daniel grinned. "In case you mess up, I can't miss the golden opportunity to witness you get embarrassed."

Their parents joined the table, and breakfast continued in silence, laden with the anticipation of the day's events.

Cherrie later arrived at Megan's family home to escort her to the event. After exchanging greetings, Cherrie joined Megan in her room for final preparations.

"Hey bestie, got your dress ready? We need to follow protocols," Cherrie said, eyeing Megan's chosen dress with a hint of disappointment.

"Who's going to fire you?" Megan retorted.

"Me?" Cherrie replied. Megan cherished her style and hesitated to receive negative critiques. "Dress by protocol today, princess."

"Alright, ma'am, if you insist," Megan conceded.

"I have three options for you: red, blue, or lavender," Cherrie presented the dresses. "Choose one, your highness."

"They seem too elaborate, and those heels look painful..."

"Just for today, Megan. Tomorrow, you can return to your comfy t-shirts and shoes."

"No choice, huh?" Megan sighed, opting for the lavender dress.

Twenty minutes later, Megan returned, having touched up her makeup. Cherrie, however, wasn't satisfied.

"Good, but we need more contouring, highlighting, blush, eyeshadow, and better lipstick and eyeliner," Cherrie instructed, triggering Megan's apprehension about wearing extensive makeup on a stressful day.

As the consequential day unfolded, Megan grappled with the weight of expectations and responsibilities that accompanied leading Ace Empire into the future. The support of her family and the guidance of Cherrie proved to be a wellspring of strength amid the challenges of assuming such a prominent role. The narrative of Megan's journey and the dynamics within her family gained further depth as she navigated the complexities of leadership in a powerhouse conglomerate, setting the stage for a transformative chapter in the history of Ace Empire.