Chapter 8 - The Rebrand
By the time Leo was six months old, Sterling Innovations was a global phenomenon.
We had outgrown the old building in Manhattan.
I purchased a massive, state-of-the-art campus in Upstate New York.
It was a beautiful, sprawling estate surrounded by nature, a stark contrast to the cold concrete of the city.
I designed it to be family-friendly, complete with an onsite daycare for my employees.
I wanted to build a culture of support, not fear.
The grand opening of the Sterling Campus was a highly anticipated media event.
Reporters from every major financial network were gathered in the main auditorium.
I stood backstage, bouncing Leo on my hip, feeling a profound sense of peace.
"You ready, Boss?" Marcus asked, handing me a microphone.
He had stayed on as my COO, proving his loyalty was to the company's success, not Julian's ego.
"I'm ready," I smiled, handing Leo to his dedicated nanny.
I walked out onto the stage, greeted by a blinding flash of cameras and thunderous applause.
I wore a sharp, custom-tailored suit that commanded respect.
"Thank you all for being here," I began, my voice projecting confidence and authority.
"Today marks a new era for technology, and a new era for this company."
I spoke for twenty minutes, outlining our vision for a sustainable, ethical future.
The crowd was captivated.
When I finished, I opened the floor for a few questions.
A reporter from the Wall Street Journal stood up.
"Ms. Sterling, your rise to the top was incredibly sudden."
"Can you comment on the rumors surrounding the sudden departure of your ex-husband, Julian Vance?"
The room went dead silent.
I smiled, a cool, unbothered expression on my face.
"Julian Vance was an early investor who decided to pursue other interests," I lied smoothly.
"Sterling Innovations is focused on the future, not the past."
"Next question."
I handled the rest of the press conference with flawless precision.
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The past was buried.
My empire was secured.
