After returning to Brookshire, I never expected the first familiar face I’d see would be my former best friend, Anne Miller. 

“Anne Miller, CEO of Miller Company, entered Brookshire’s top university at eighteen with outstanding grades. After graduation, she started from scratch and in just three years became one of the business world’s rising stars…” 

On the first floor of Westfield Building, a TV screen between two elevators continuously displayed the achievements of Brookshire’s business prodigy since she started her career. 

In the three years since I’d seen her, she had shed that timid, insecure air of someone fresh from the countryside. Now, dressed in custom-tailored formal wear, she carried herself with newfound elegance. 

Wealth truly transforms people. 

Today was the bidding conference for Trada Corp’s project in Brookshire. Reporters had been staking out the lobby since early morning. 

I tried to mind my own business and ignore her, but she approached me anyway. 

“Miss Turner, it really is you! I almost didn’t recognize you,” she said loudly. “Three years ago you suddenly went abroad. I thought you’d never come back!” 

Anne’s voice was so loud that even the reporters observing from a distance could hear every word clearly. 

After she spoke, I could feel curious eyes turning toward me. 

“…Turner family…eldest daughter…” 

“Peterson Corporation…engagement…” 

“..obsessed with…fiancé…” 

Among those deliberately hushed voices, occasional fragments reached my ears.