CHAPTER 1 — THE UNWANTED PRESSURES
Jim Carter adjusted the cuffs of his navy silk suit while staring at the wall-length mirror in his penthouse. At just twenty-eight, he had become the CEO of mega glimpse, America's fastest-growing luxury fashion brand.
The world praised him. The internet worshipped him.
But his parents?
They wanted a wedding.
His phone buzzed again.
MOM: You're almost 30. Enough is enough. We need a daughter-in-law. The board wants stability.
He rolled his eyes and tossed the phone on the bed.
"Stability my foot," he muttered. "I'm building an empire, not hosting a baby shower."
Michael, his best friend and COO, leaned against the doorframe. "You know they won't stop."
"I know," Jim said, grabbing his keys, "and that's why I'm avoiding them tonight. Mega Glimpse Fashion 1year anniversary waits for no one."
Little did he know the night would destroy his peace.
****
Jim's mother, Veronica Carter, sat with her best friend Roseanne Hamilton at a private restaurant across town.
"Jim must marry," Veronica insisted, swirling her wine. "He's stubborn like his father."
Roseanne sighed. "He doesn't want my daughter, Veronica. He barely looks at Rose."
"That's why we're going to… accelerate destiny."
From her purse, Veronica removed a small vial. A clear liquid. Dangerous. Illegal.
Roseanne's eyes widened. "Veronica… that's too far."
"Jim will wake up beside your daughter. Men do stupid things when they're drunk. By morning, the Carters will demand a marriage."
Roseanne hesitated, then slowly nodded.
She wanted her daughter to marry into power.
She wanted her daughter to be safe for life.
Neither woman knew the chaos they were about to cause.