Valerie’s POV
The mont I stepped out of Mike’s office, I didn’t slow down.
I kept walking past the hallways, guards, and the curious eyes that always seed to follow everywhere now.
Only when I reached my office did I finally stop.
I closed the door behind and leaned against it for a brief mont.
My heart was racing.
It was beating so fast that I thought it would give out.
However, feeling the heartbeat was how I knew I had succeeded.
I might have put a brave front in front of Mike, and even mocked Innocent, but I wasn’t confident I would succeed.
With Mike’s relationship with Innocent, I was just trying my luck to see if he would agree to take along to the dinner party.
I know for sure that if I had hesitated back there; if I had shown even a hint of uncertainty, Mike would have dismissed without a second thought.
But the good news was, I now had my invitation.
My journey to building an empire was about to begin.
I pushed myself off the door and walked toward my desk.
The laptop screen was still on, the code I had been writing earlier blinking quietly as if nothing had happened.
Good thing that no one showed up in my office without reason.
I opened a new tab and logged back into the secure channel.
My ntor was still online.
That was great.
"I secured an opportunity to attend a high-level business dinner."
The reply ca almost instantly.
"Impressive."
A small smile touched my lips at the praise.
"Then you need preparation."
"What do I need to prepare?" My ntor was the only one I could ask.
Then my ntor sent a long list.
"Start with this:
Basic business etiquette
Key figures likely to attend
Current market trends
How to introduce yourself properly
What NOT to say"
I scanned the list quickly and imprinted every word into my mind.
"Thanks, I will do as you say."
"Good. Also...."
I waited for him to finish.
"You need an identity."
My fingers paused above the keyboard.
What do you an?"
"You can’t walk into a business dinner as just ’the Luna.’"
"Why not? Aren’t I going with the identity of the Night claw pack Luna?"
I got confused by his suggestion.
He continued typing.
"You need a professional identity. Sothing that connects you to the business world."
I hadn’t thought of this before. It made sense.
"What do you suggest?"
I leaned back slightly.
"Founder."
It was one word, but it was so broad that I didn’t understand its aning in my situation.
"Of what?"
"That’s your choice."
My eyes drifted to the tab with the program I had been working on earlier.
A secure mobile paynt system.
"I’m building a tech company," I typed slowly.
"That’s good. Now, instead of attending as Mike’s mate and limiting yourself, attend as the founder of a tech company."
My grip on the mouse tightened slightly and a small smile ford on my lips.
Yes, why should I live in soone else’s shadow?
"I’ll need a na for the company." I added.
"Pick sothing simple, strong, and morable."
I thought for a mont.
Then typed,
"Vortex Systems Limited Company."
There was a brief pause, before my ntor replied.
"Approved. No other business has registered that na yet. I’ll begin registration imdiately."
I exhaled slowly.
"Thank you."
"No need. You’re doing the hard part."
I logged out soon after.
Before going back to my coding, I picked up my tablet and sent Lilith a ssage asking her for information about the people who would attend the business dinner.
If I was going to that dinner, I wouldn’t walk into that room blind.
Hours passed without noticing.
By the ti I leaned back in my chair again, my eyes burned slightly from staring at the screen.
But it was worth it.
I now had a basic understanding of:
The company Mike controlled
Its competitors
Key investors
And most importantly, the people likely to attend the dinner.
One na, in particular, stood out.
A man known for ruthless decisions and unmatched influence.
Soone even powerful packs were cautious around.
The Alpha King, Caelan.
A knock on the door pulled out of my thoughts.
"Co in."
The door opened, and Lilith stepped inside.
"Luna," she greeted respectfully.
"Yes?"
"Lady Bernice asked to assist you with preparations for the weekend."
Well, news travel fast.
It had been less than half a day and the forr Luna already knew about going to the dinner with Mike.
I nodded.
She walked closer, her eyes briefly scanning the laptop before returning to .
"You’ll need an appropriate dress and shoes," she said.
"I assud as much."
"Lady Bernice also said that you need proper etiquette training before the dinner." Lilith added, making want to roll my eyes.
People in this pack really thought of like a bumpkin who knows nothing.
"I don’t need training," I replied calmly.
Lilith hesitated, as if not knowing what to do.
"With all due respect, Luna..."
"I said I don’t need training." I said with a firm tone.
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"Yes, Luna."
I softened my expression just a little.
"I will learn what I need on my own."
"Understood."
She paused, then added,
"Still... Lady Bernice insisted I assist you."
I sighed inwardly.
Lady Bernice ant well.
"Fine," I said.
"You can help with the dress."
Relief flashed briefly across Lilith’s face.
"Thank you, Luna."
Later that evening, I stood in front of the mirror again.
Admiring the woman who stared back at .
The dress I was wearing would impress even the most unaesthetic people.
It was great, because I know first impressions matter.
Lilith stood behind , adjusting the fabric carefully.
"It suits you," she said softly.
"Good," I said as I studied my reflection.
That night, as I lay in bed, sleep didn’t co easily, because my mind refused to slow down.
I had many thoughts running through my mind.
My fingers curled slightly against the bedsheet as I thought about the first step I was about to take.
The first real step into a world that had nothing to do with the pack.
A world where power wasn’t determined by bloodline, but influence, money, and control.
A world where I could build sothing of my own.
I wasn’t naive.
I knew it wouldn’t be easy.
I knew people would look down on , mock , and dismiss . Either for my age or background.
But that didn’t matter.
Because their underestimation was my greatest weapon in the early stages of my business.
When the right ti ca, I just wouldn’t sit at the table.
I would own it.
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