Empire Under Her Heels

Synopsis

"Rhea left us so suddenly. She never even got the chance to witness the Burton Group at its most glorious moment," Alicia Burton said. She wore a well-tailored black dress. Her eyes were red, and her fingers were trembling as she turned on the microphone. "Dad said, to make up for what Rhea missed out on, he'll protect the family business for her." The media's cameras were all trained on Marvin Burton, who was standing on stage. He wiped away a tear that wasn't there and solemnly took the share certificate from the lawyer. He said, "I, Marvin Burton, officially take over today—" "Uncle Marvin, you haven't even signed the papers yet. Isn't it a bit premature for the waterworks?" A voice, icy and sharp, echoed through the heavy doors of the hall. The doors burst open, letting in the late autumn wind and a swirl of fallen leaves. With everyone watching, a woman in a black velvet gown walked in slowly. Her long hair was as dark as ink, her skin paler than snow, and the crimson on her lips was like blood just spilled. The pen in Marvin's hand clattered to the floor, splattering ink everywhere. "R-Rhea?" Alicia gasped, stumbling back three steps, her stiletto heel twisting as she grabbed the podium for support. The hall fell silent for three seconds, then erupted into a wave of shocked whispers. "Wasn't she supposed to have died in a fall?" "Is that really the Burton family's legendary heiress?"