Three months had slipped through the cracks of time like dry sand. The glittering lights of Chicago had begun to lose their warmth, the city's endless hum a background score to lives moving too fast, too far. Empire Brands had never been busier, never more celebrated. The company was glowing—awards, recognition, partnerships with luxury names that once ignored their proposals. And in the heart of that success was a woman whose name everyone now whispered with admiration.
Courtney Adams.
She had transformed from Dwayne Knight's assistant to one of the most promising creative marketers in Chicago. Her campaigns were brilliant—fresh, daring, and full of heart. Under her leadership, the brand's image was evolving, and her team had become fiercely loyal to her. To them, she wasn't just a boss; she was inspiration in heels, calm yet decisive, soft-spoken yet sharp-minded.
