<i>Back to the present...</i>


    As soon as Massie and Stacy were granted entry, the women who had been mocking them fell silent.


    However, Massie was not someone who could be easily bullied.


    Like Hera and her fans, she refused to back down from intimidation and was determined to stand her ground.


    This resilience was one of the main reasons they admired Hera so deeply.


    It wasn’t just Hera’s likability that drew them in; it was her embodiment of strength and empowerment.


    She was a queen who inspired other women not to settle for less and acted as their spokesperson.


    Just like Massie, many had found their voices through Hera, learning that being opinionated and expressing their thoughts was not only eptable but empowering.


    Unbeknownst to her, Massie had transformed into a figure much like Hera.


    Unlike before, when she merely projected a facade of strength, she was now standing tall and genuine.


    She didn’t even realize how far she hade in oveing the trauma she had battled for a decade.


    All it took was her desire to support Hera, and suddenly, she found herself rising above her past.


    Massie and Stacy both shot the women mocking them just earlier with a triumphant, mocking sneer as they approached the CEO with a confident swagger, exuding an air of confidence as if they own the ce.


    The CEO, seizing the moment, proudly introduced his only daughter and sessor to the public as the new chief perfumer, relishing the chance to showcase her talents.


    However, before introducing his daughter to the press, he leaned in closer and asked, "Who is that little girl? Is she your assistant?"


    He was pointing at Stacy, who stood a few feet away from Massie, her eyes sparkling as she tried to soak in the luxurious experience surrounding her.


    Typically, someone like Stacy wouldn’t have the opportunity to enter such an opulent mall—one reserved for the wealthy and privileged.


    But now, given the chance to revel in the atmosphere, she gawked at everything around her, her face a canvas of amazement.


    "What are you talking about, Dad? This girl is clearly underage! She’s also a fan of Little Sister Hera, and I brought her here to see her," Massie exined, pulling Stacy closer.


    The reminder that Stacy was still a minor made Massie more vignt; taking care of her had now be her responsibility.


    If anything were to happen while Stacy was under her watch, it would fall on her shoulders.


    "Is that girl really that popr?" the CEO asked, his skepticism evident as he referred to Hera.


    After all, most celebrities with a scandal or two either became extremely famous or faded into obscurity—those in thetter category often fell from grace and vanished from the limelight if they couldn’t manage to clean up their mess.


    "You clearly haven’t checked her social media, have you?" Massie leaned in closer, adopting a gossipy tone.


    "Let me tell you, Dad, little sister Hera’s fanbase has already reached millions. She can go toe-to-toe with some A-list celebrities! The most impressive part? She only joined the scene a few weeks ago, made an appearance on one variety show, and she’s already this popr. Just imagine how much her following will grow once she really starts to engage!"


    The CEO looked visibly rattled. He had heard whispers about Hera’s substantial following, but to him, a celebrity’s fanbase was akin to their value in the industry.


    What truly surprised him was realizing that Hera was still a neer—fresh on the scene—and yet she was already amassing such arge following.


    The fact that she hadn’t even reached her peak yet made her rapid rise all the more impressive.


    Typically, neers were considered impressive if they managed to reach around 10,000 followers within a few weeks.


    Achieving that milestone often required a well-coordinated effort from their public rtions team and a steady stream of job opportunities.


    Companies frequently allocated significant resources to promote a newbie, hoping to gain hundreds of thousands of followers, but even then, their fanbase remained fragile, like a delicate vase.


    If they projected her increasing poprity and potential mary value once she began taking on more jobs, dramas, and endorsements, the deal they struck now could be seen as an early investment with significant long-term returns.


    The amount they paid for this ambassadorship was a fraction of what international celebritiesmanded.


    If Hera’s anticipated poprity materialized, they could potentially earn three times their initial investment or maybe more.


    Massie’s father felt a rush of excitement just imagining the possibilities thaty ahead.


    He chose to trust his daughter’s discerning judgment and demonstrate his unwavering support for her decisions, knowing that she would soon take over thepany.


    He viewed this as an opportunity for her to gain valuable experience in preparation for her future role as its leader.


    Once the father-daughter duo finished their discussion, the CEO took center stage, pulling Massie along with him. In turn, Massie inadvertently brought Stacy along as well. The three of them then faced the press, answering questions about the new product and Massie’s role in thepany, all while maintaining an air of confidence and professionalism.


    "Sir, is it true that your head perfumer has left to join apetitor and is nning topete in the uing perfumer contest tounch theirtest product?"


    "Sir, if that’s the case, wouldn’t that create a significant disparity between yourpany and theirs, especially considering their new head perfumer is a seasoned veteran with numerous awards to their name, while your new chief perfumer is rtively new?"


    The reporters pressed on, eager to uncover the drama that the public craved.


    But Massie couldn’t help but chuckle at their questions.