One of the most powerful electronics conglomerates in the world, with five major subsidiaries, ruled by a single woman. One independent, unmarried woman. Carsten Electronics. For four generations, it had been passed down, and now, it led to one name: Viviana Carsten.
Arrogant, rude, greedy, and a perfectionist, Viviana expected everyone to follow her lead, all for the future of the company. All five subsidiaries, controlled by one woman. She stood tall, powerful, and filthy rich.
There she was, sitting in her chair behind a sleek glass desk. A sign on the desk read: Chairwoman of Carsten Electronics: Viviana Carsten. Her hair, now fully gray from age, was cut into a sharp pixie style. At 60 years old, everyone expected her to retire and hand the company over to a relative.
But hell no, she's stubborn. A total perfectionist. She believed that if she passed the company down, it would all go to ruin.
Just then, the door opened. Her vice chairman, no, vice president now, wasn't he? stepped into her office with a tablet in hand.
"Ma'am," he said, trying not to show his nervousness. "We've finalized the Q2 projections, and the numbers look solid. But... about the succession planning meeting—"
Viviana raised an eyebrow, not even looking up. "If this is another 'please retire' speech, save it for your therapist."
The VP chuckled awkwardly. "It's just...you're not getting any younger, and the board is concerned—"
"Concerned?" She finally looked at him, sharp emerald eyes narrowing. "The only thing they should be concerned about is keeping their jobs. This company doesn't run on yoga retreats and wishful thinking. It runs because of me."
He cleared his throat, adjusting his tie. "Of course. I didn't mean to imply—"
"You implied," she cut in. "And I heard it loud and clear. But as long as my name's on that sign, I'll be the one running this empire. Got it?"
He nodded quickly. "Crystal clear, Chairwoman Carsten."
"Good. Now get me my espresso and a status update on subsidiary three. If they drop another decimal, I'll drop their whole division."
"Yes, ma'am. Right away."
As he rushed out, Viviana leaned back in her chair with a smirk.
"Retire? In this economy? Please."
Just then, her bodyguard informed her that a guest was coming into her office. Of course, she was furious. Viviana wasn't the type to welcome just anyone. But the moment her bodyguard mentioned the name Vincent Carsten, she went silent for a moment… then let him in.
Vincent Carsten, the eldest of the four Carsten siblings. He was the first to inherit the company after their father passed away, but he retired soon after, realizing it just wasn't for him. He was the type who loved nature, a humble soul, the complete opposite of Viviana, who bathed in luxury and control.
After stepping down as chairman, he returned to what he truly loved: animals and peace. He had studied veterinary medicine for years, and eventually became a full-time veterinarian. Now, at 66 years old, retired from both the corporate world and the clinic, he lived a quiet life as a farmer with his wife.
He walked into her office wearing plain farmer clothes, his hair messy and a bit dusty from work.
Viviana's eye twitched the moment she saw him. She stared at his outfit like it was a personal insult.
"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly, her face twisted in obvious disgust.
Her brother sat down on the leather sofa that once belonged to him before he retired. He gently set his worn farmer hat on the table and smiled at her, the same angelic smile that could melt a thousand hearts.
"It's Mother's death anniversary tomorrow. Will you come with us, Vivi?" he asked softly, his lips smiling but his eyes filled with quiet sorrow.
Viviana sighed. No matter how filthy her personality was, she could never bring herself to ignore anything that concerned their late parents.
She turned to him, arms crossed.
"Is that the only reason you're here? That's it?" she asked sharply.
He chuckled softly. "No, we just miss you a lot. My wife and I made some soup for you. Will you visit our home?" His eyes looked desperate.
Viviana looked at him with a disgusted expression.
"Your house? In the mountains?" She scoffed.
"Brother, I'm doing perfectly fine. I can call any chef in the world if I wanted. Why would I ever go all the way to the mountains? Ugh, how revolting. I have important matters to handle here at the company. It's because of me that this company is successful, unlike you irresponsible brothers who just ran off and retired, dumping everything on me. This is the same company Father and our ancestors worked so hard to build." Her frown deepened, her tone sharp and furious.
Vincent sighed and nervously rubbed his calloused hands.
"Sis Vivi... do you remember Mother's last words?"
Viviana froze, her breath caught in her throat. She still missed their mother deeply, especially the final gift she received on her 17th birthday.
She turned her face away, avoiding his eyes.
"Yes..." she mumbled.
"The entire Carsten family will be there, you know. Every year, Mom's death anniversary is our family reunion, and a month later, it'll be Dad's. You're still one of us, Vivi. I came all the way here just to remind you of that. And I must say, you've done well. The moment I walked in, every staff member bowed to me, despite how I look."
He smiled warmly.
Viviana turned to him with a half-disgusted expression.
"It's the least they should do. It's their job to recognize a Carsten," she replied arrogantly.
She paused. "Vincent... uh..." she hesitated, as if debating whether to speak. "How's Elyza?"
His eyes widened, as if surprised by the question. Elyza Rose Parker, his eldest granddaughter. He knew Viviana was fond of her; she had even insisted on naming the child herself.
He smiled, chuckling softly with clear affection.
"She's doing great, Vivi! Still playing basketball, still obsessed with novels."
Viviana sighed, then allowed herself a faint smile.
"I see..."
Vincent leaned back on the sofa, relaxing.
"Man, I miss this place. Anyway... I'm a little worried about her, to be honest. You know how kids are these days, glued to their gadgets. The last time I visited their house, she could barely put the thing down." He rubbed his temples.
"She's a bit stubborn too. Barely goes outside anymore. She needs fresh air, Vivi."
He lazily leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling.
"Do you still remember that novel?"
Viviana kept her eyes on the paperwork in front of her, flipping through the pages.
"Hmm? What novel?"
"The Droopy Rose," he said. "You know, that famous novel from the 1980s. Mom gave it to you for your 17th birthday. That was her last gift."
Viviana paused, the pen in her hand frozen mid-signature.
"Ah, yes. I remember. What about it?" she replied, turning to him with her usual arrogant tone.
"Well, apparently, it's still famous. Elyza's addicted to it." He sighed.
"She can't even plant lettuce on my farm. Lily's been worried. Elyza used to water the plants every time they came over on my farm."
Viviana chuckled, a hint of pride in her voice.
"Oh yeah? Guess she really is my granddaughter then."
Vincent frowned.
"No, she's my granddaughter, from my and Lily's blood."
He looked slightly jealous, which Viviana clearly enjoyed.
"But she's like a version of me," she smirked. "We both love the same novel, right?"
Vincent turned to her and pouted.
"I mean, yeah, but still, she's my granddaughter. I'm just worried about her. You know what's happening to kids these days? Their eyesight is getting worse because of all those gadgets. Radiation, Vivi. Radiation. They should spend time outdoors, become farmers or gardeners like me. Nature is a gift."
He crossed his arms dramatically.
Viviana continued flipping through her contracts without looking up.
"Not everyone is like you, Vincent." She signed another document.
"I'm a busy woman." She turned the page.
"When are you going to leave?" she added, glancing at him briefly before looking back at her work.
"Not until you agree to stay the night at my place and come with us to Mom's death anniversary."
Vincent placed his farmer hat back on his head, his voice calm but firm.
He sighed again as he lay down on the sofa, looking far too comfortable in her pristine office.
"Well, I'm still worried about Elyza. Ever since she turned 17, she hasn't been able to put that gadget down. You remember how she used to play basketball with my son or garden with me, right? But now? She's glued to that thing. That novel, apparently, got adapted into a game and it's all the kids play these days."
Viviana smirked as she continued reviewing documents, a sleek tablet resting beside her.
"But guess what, Vincent? Our father and our ancestors ran an electronics company. I'm handling it now...with five subsidiaries. How can you hate technology? It's fun."
She signed another paper without even glancing at him.
"But nature is beautiful, Vivi. I don't even know how to use… what do you call it again? Cellophane?"
He furrowed his brows, trying to recall the word.
"It's cellphone, Vincent. Just call it a phone," she corrected him flatly.
"Ah, right," he muttered sheepishly.
She put down the pen on her desk, already irritated that he was still there, interrupting her work.
"Vin—" she began, turning toward him.
But he cut her off.
"You're going to stay at my house tonight? My wife keeps nagging me to get you over. The mountains are a great place to live, you know?"
He stood up with a casual grin.
"Anyway, I'm going to leave now. Sorry for the disturbance. Keep up your work and stay at our place tonight. Bye, Vivi."
He closed the door behind him as Viviana sighed in frustration.
Her secretary entered next, holding a tablet.
"Madam, there's a headquarters meeting at 2 p.m. Also… was that Vincent Carsten, ma'am?" he asked cautiously.
Viviana turned to him, visibly annoyed. Her glare made him gulp.
"Yes, ma'am," he added quickly, bowing and starting to leave.
"The entire board will be there, right? Including the CEOs?" she asked sharply.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Then tell them, if any board member is absent, I'll fire them immediately. Now leave."
He bowed again, this time even faster, and hurried out of her office.
To be continued...