True Tycoon Her Empire, Her Rules

The Bryant family’s home renovation exuded an understated opulence, with a sliding glass door that connected the foyer to the garden patio. Once opened, the entire soiree was transformed. into a semi–open affair. 

The event’s decoration, schedule, and array of exquisite food were all meticulously arranged by a professional planning company. 

The Henderson family, though no strangers to the party circuit, couldn’t help but feel a touch of envy as they took in the scale of the Bryant family’s affair. 

Upon arrival, Kathryn straightened her posture, instinctively aiming to present her most radiant self to the gathering’s elite. 

For this 

gala, she had coaxed Barton into splurging on a limited designed dress, a strapless tulle gown fit for a princess, topped with a petite tiara that framed her as royalty. 

Her deliberate sweet smile did indeed turn heads as she entered, yet before she could strike an even more graceful pose, the glances that had once been fixed on her shifted away, some tinged with disdain. 

Confused, Kathryn couldn’t fathom what was amiss with her ensemble. 

Unbeknownst to her and the Henderson family, a girl in a sleek black dress chuckled with her companion in a corner. 

“Who was that lady? Doesn’t she know who the guest of honor is tonight? Wearing a crown, she thinks she’s the princess of the evening?” 

Another replied, “She looks familiar, but I can’t quite place her.” 

1 

“Oh, isn’t that the CEO of Henderson Group? How did the Henderson family even make the guest list?” 

The Bryant family was equally puzzled to see the Henderson family approaching them. Terrell was especially taken aback. 

Who let them in? 

After all, Clifford had explicitly forbidden any collaboration with them following a slight against Winnie, even retracting existing partnerships. How did they end up here? 

“Mr. Terrell, it’s such a pleasure to see you. I’ve been meaning to catch up, but you’ve been elusive. What a fortunate coincidence!” Barton gushed, seizing the opportunity to rekindle business ties. 

Terrell’s wife, Janet, was mingling with guests when she spotted the Henderson family. She maintained her composure and casually inquired, “Terrell, who might these people be?” 

Janet had never met the Henderson family. Suzan’s attempt to visit had been cut short at the 

12:00: 

gate, so she was unfamiliar with them. 

Terrell introduced them, “This is Mr. Henderson and his wife, and I believe this is their daughter.” 

Janet turned keen upon learning their identities. 

The Bright Group, led by Clifford, had always been guided by his decisions. Janet respected 

Clifford too. 

She knew of his disdain for the Henderson family, a sentiment she shared, especially after learning how they treated Winnie, their supposed princess. 

Winnie, who had been raised more as Kathryn’s underling, carrying bags, fetching snacks, and even keeping vigil during her illnesses, was hardly treated with gratitude or respect. When Kathryn was in poor health and was hospitalized for examination, Winnie must accompany her bed to take care of her. 

While it was delicately put that Kathryn and Winnie looked after each other, the Henderson family was far from so poor that they couldn’t hire a caregiver. 

When Winnie was driven into the hospital to save Kathryn, the Henderson family didn’t appreciate it, and even kicked Winnie out of the house. 

If it weren’t for Suzan’s accidental exposure to Winnie when she came to the door yesterday, Clifford wouldn’t be in a hurry to check these things. 

As a result, the more Janet looked at what she found out, the more angry she was. 

Even though Suzan had no evidence of explicitly abusing Winnie, Winnie had suffered a lot of grievances in the Henderson family. 

Janet cooled her demeanor as she realized who they were. “So you are the Henderson family. We finally meet.” 

She made a mental note to ensure they wouldn’t be admitted so easily next time. 

Barton, preoccupied with potential deals, missed Janet’s change in tone and chuckled, “Indeed. my wife and daughter tried to visit the other day but missed you. They were quite disappointed, but today’s meeting was worth the wait.” 

Janet raised an eyebrow, her smile sharpening. “Didn’t Mrs. Henderson tell you why she missed us?” 

At Janet’s insinuation, Kathryn and Suzan tensed visibly. 

Barton, initially baffled, quickly caught on to the underlying tension. Glancing at anxious Suzan and Kathryn, he realized something was amiss and hastily offered, “My wife and daughter can be a bit spoiled. If they’ve offended you in any way, please don’t take it to heart.” 

Catching Barton’s demeanor, Janet exchanged a quick and knowing glance with Terrell beside her. They both seemed to instantly grasp the unspoken. 

It was clear that Suzan and Kathryn hadn’t breathed a word about their visit to the Bryant family that day. 

The plot thickened. 

“The day in question, Mrs. Henderson and your daughter didn’t even cross paths with my wife. so there’s no question of offense,” said Terrell, chuckling to diffuse the tension. He couldn’t very well admit that it was due to the Henderson family crossing Clifford that the partnership was dissolved. Spreading that kind of talk would tarnish the Bryant family’s reputation. 

Barton, well–versed in the art of business doublespeak, was already certain that it was Susan and Kathryn’s visit that day that had soured the deal with the Bryant family. And they had kept it from him! 

His gaze turned icy as it swept over the two women, but mindful of the occasion, Barton didn’t make a scene. Instead, he adopted a look that promised a reckoning later and turned to Terrell with a sincere plea. 

“Terrell there’s been some misunderstanding. I’d hate to see a small mix–up ruin the potential between our families. I desire a partnership with the Bright Group. If there are any concerns about the terms, the Henderson Group is willing to accommodate.” 

Terrell shook his head with feigned regret as he replied, “Actually, the decision to cancel the partnership came from Clifford. There’s really nothing I can do to help, I’m afraid.” 

At the mention of Clifford, Barton’s heart skipped a beat, puzzled as to how this now involved him. Barton involuntarily flicked his gaze back to his wife and daughter, who had turned even more ashen. 

Barton was nearly overcome with frustration. 

Just what kind of debacle had they caused at the Bryant family that day? 

Before Barton could formulate a plan to confront Suzan and Kathryn upon their return, Janet cut through, bringing up a completely unrelated matter, “Oh, look, the guest of honor has finally made an appearance. Mr. Henderson, you have been ever so kind to our family, and now we must raise a glass in celebration.” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Barton felt a surge of confusion and followed everyone’s gaze to the grand’staircase in the foyer. 

And there, descending the stairs with the grace of a swan, was a vision in white camellia dress, an image that brought Barton to a stunned standstill.