The Fopre studio buzzed with polished chaos—stark white walls accented by minimalist chic, camera rigs humming softly, a massive smart board dominating one side flickering with my photo montage—gala shots of OG Emily in crimson gowns, runway struts, tabloid close-ups of her moments.
Bright lights beat down like interrogation spotlights, but I strode in poised, blazer snapping crisp. Thanks to Emily's residual memories—I am composed, but inside me there was a storm, waiting to get unleashed.
The interviewer trio awaited on sleek modern chairs—Hellen, the omega woman with soft curls and a faint floral perfume that hung too sweet in the air; Tyler and Faran, beta men in slim suits, clipboards poised. Their smiles hit awkward—strained at the corners, eyes darting like they expected getting clawed by me.
I bit back a quip about their nerves; silence was power. Also, I have to maintain my original image. After all, OG Emily was a cold woman.
Hellen cleared her throat, adjusting her mic as the red "LIVE" light blinked on. "We're live, ladies and gentlemen, with the new CEO of Leonhart Fashion. I'm Hellen, and these are my colleagues Tyler and Faran. And we are really excited about this interview."
I extended a manicured hand to each—firm grips, brief eye contact that pinned them. "Emily Leonhart. It's a pleasure."
Tyler recovered first, flashing teeth that didn't reach his eyes. "Very glad to meet you, Ms. Leonhart. Have a seat."
I settled into the leather chair, crossing legs with deliberate grace, the smart board looping behind me—Emily airbrushed flawless at Fashion Week, a freeze-frame of her gala glare-down with Lily Warren—headlines crawling—"Heiress Obsession Rocks Actress?"
Heat prickled my neck, but I smiled cool, channelling barista grit—smiling through rude orders—into CEO steel. These people are not subtle, are they? I am completely sure that they would ask questions about my thoughts on Lily.
"So, how are you feeling stepping into this role?" Tyler leaned in, voice smooth but probing.
I nodded once, emerald eyes steady. "I am energized, and more than ready." A beat passed as I smirked at the camera. "Good enough to make history."
They chuckled—nervous ripples, Hellen's blush creeping up her neck. Cute if you're into women, I thought, but sorry, sweetheart—my type's men only. Cute ones, puppy-eyed and loyal, curling at my feet like I want them to. One with warm hazel eyes that crinkled in shy laughter, lithe muscles under sun-kissed skin, a scent of fresh rain and honey that begged to be claimed—my words, aren't they?
I have no interest in her fluttery omega vibes; I'd save that daydream for later.
Hellen recovered, leaning forward with forced brightness. "Tell us about yourself, Emily. Beyond the headlines."
"As I've said, I'm Emily Leonhart, new CEO of Leonhart Fashion. Fashion engineering grad, MBA—I am a model, a businesswoman, and a designer. I've lived and breathed this industry—sketched concepts since I could hold a pencil." Well, it was kind of a lie.
Faran jumped in, beta bluntness cutting through. "Impressive creds. But let's address the elephant—those gala photos with Lily Warren. Tabloids are calling it a 'disturbance.' Care to comment?"
Hellen nodded, "Yeah, we have received reports of you harassing her."
There it was. Smart board flashed the clip—OG Emily cornering Lily, lips curled in demand. I leaned back, unfazed, voice velvet over ice.
I said, "It was a strategic outreach, not drama. Lily's family runs Warren Foods—I pitched a partnership as I wanted her to model my next set of designs. I pursued aggressively, as CEOs do—we thrive for success. No romance, just business. Headlines sell clicks; we'll let my success sell reality."
Tyler's brows shot up, impressed despite himself. "Fair spin. Speaking of—your goals as the 'face' of Leonhart? Investors want specifics post-handover."
This sparked my excitement. "Revolutionize luxury. Launching mood-responsive fabrics—micro-LED weaves shifting colours via app or body heat. Sustainable lines from recycled ocean plastics and bamboo-silk blends."
"You are going eco-friendly?"
"Yes, I am going eco-friendly. We all should manage the amount of waste we generate while creating clothes—around 70 percent gets wasted in the process. Think Fashion Week—gowns that adapt to lighting, suits tailoring via embedded sensors. I won't follow trends—we'll set them."
Hellen's eyes widened, scribbling notes, blush deepening. "Ambitious. But there must be some challenges, right? Stepping into a family empire—your stepbrother Alexei runs tech integration. Friction there?"
"Family fuels focus. Alexei's tech arm complements my vision—it's synergy, not rivalry. We've got patents pending on smart textiles already."
Faran leaned in, not letting up. "The public and press can be tough. Setting aside the Lily Warren story, how do you deal with being called impulsive in the headlines?"
I tilted my head, letting my raven hair catch the bright studio lights. "Impulsive? No, I'm a visionary. The press runs after drama and clicks. I run after real innovation. Just look—our stock jumped 5% right after the CEO news broke. People can hate me, but they know that I am capable." My voice stayed cool and sure.
Tyler grinned for real this time, his eyes lighting up. "That's bold talk. Now, tell us about Emily off the clock. Dating rumours are everywhere, especially after that gala. Do you have anything to say for you?"
In my head, I pictured my type—cute guys with soft hair and shy smiles, the kind who act like sweet puppies, all eager and loyal. But out loud, I kept it smooth and dodged. "Right now, I'm all about building my empire. Romance? Sure, when it matches my big plans perfectly."
Hellen let out a nervous little giggle, her cheeks pink. "That's adorable. Okay, one last question—what's the biggest challenge ahead for you?"
"Old family traditions holding us back," I said, pausing for effect. I leaned forward, eyes locking on the camera. "Breaking those moulds. But with my fashion degree and business smarts? Leonhart Fashion is about to rise higher than ever."
The room went quiet for a beat, then Tyler nodded. "Love that fire. Before we wrap, Ms. Leonhart—any sneak peeks at your vision?"