Chapter 122: Chapter 122

Greer’s POV

The grand finale day of the National Beauty Trade Fair felt heavier than the previous two combined. I woke up before dawn, my body aching from exhaustion and the lingering bruise on my face, plus the cut on my head that still throbbed faintly. But my mind was sharp, buzzing with a strange mix of nerves and fire. Today was everything. The final presentations, major networking, potential big contracts, and the announcement of the top brands. This was where Lumina Bloom could either soar or get crushed under the weight of everything trying to pull me down.

I stood in front of the mirror again, choosing my outfit with care. A sleek cream blouse tucked into high-waisted navy trousers with a bold red belt, professional, confident, and unapologetic. I applied my signature red matte lipstick last, staring at my reflection. The girl looking back had been through war in the last few days, but she was still standing. Still fighting.

The viral scandal about Veda had exploded overnight. My anonymous post had spread like wildfire, and people were still talking about it this morning. Comments were divided, some calling her a hypocrite, others defending her as a victim of editing. I felt a twisted knot in my stomach every time I checked my phone. Part of me regretted how far I’d gone. She was still my mother, no matter how cruel she had been. But another part, the part that remembered every insult, every sabotage attempt, every time she chose status over me felt cold satisfaction. She had tried to destroy me first.

Cassey was already waiting outside my apartment when I stepped out, two large boxes of fresh stock in her arms. Her eyes were wide with excitement and worry. “You saw the numbers?” she asked as we loaded the car. “Lumina Bloom is trending again. People are tagging us in support posts after the Veda scandal. Some are calling it ‘the real underdog story.’” I nodded, sliding into the driver’s seat. “I saw. But we can’t rely on drama for sales. Today has to be about the products. About what we built.”

The convention center was electric when we arrived. Banners, lights, and the buzz of hundreds of people filled the halls. I noticed more eyes on me than usual. Some curious, some judgmental, a few sympathetic. I kept my chin high and focused on setting up the booth.

We arranged the displays beautifully, added fresh flowers, and made sure the lemon yellow and soft pink branding popped under the bright lights. My heart skipped when I saw Calder across the hall earlier, talking to some organizers. Our eyes met for a brief second. He gave me a small, intense nod which was possessive, reassuring, before turning back to his conversation. He had said he’d be back after today.

The divorce was in motion. Part of me wanted to run to him, to feel his arms around me and hear that everything would be okay. But not here. Not yet. Too many eyes. Too much at stake. As the morning sessions began, the support kept pouring in. More women stopped by the booth, sharing stories of toxic family dynamics and bullying.

A few boutique owners placed decent wholesale orders. Influencers took videos praising the gentle formulas and the sanitary pads that had become surprisingly popular. Cassey handled the rush like a pro, her energy keeping me grounded.

But I couldn’t shake the anxiety. Indira was somewhere in the hall, I’d seen her glaring from a distance. Wells had texted me a simple “Good luck today” earlier, which felt genuine after what happened with Indira. And Veda… I had no idea where she stood after the leak, but I knew she would be furious. Dangerous, even.

During a quiet moment between customers, I stepped behind the booth and took a deep breath. The dizziness from before threatened to return, but I pushed it down. This is my fight, I reminded myself. Not theirs. Mine. The grand finale presentations were scheduled for the afternoon. When my name was called, I walked onto the main stage with steady steps, red lipstick armor firmly in place.

The crowd was larger today, the energy more intense. Cameras flashed. Judges, minus Veda, I noticed with relief and watched attentively.

I spoke from the heart, my voice clear and passionate.

“Lumina Bloom isn’t just skincare. It’s proof that you can bloom even after the darkest storms. I started this with nothing but determination and a few savings. I faced accusations, sabotage, and doubt from people who were supposed to support me. But I kept going. Because real beauty isn’t perfect packaging or famous names. It’s resilience. It’s choosing yourself when the world tries to break you.”

The applause that followed felt real. Warm. Several people stood up. I stepped off the stage with my heart pounding but lighter than it had been in days. Cassey hugged me tightly the second I returned to the booth.

“You killed it,” she whispered. “No matter what happens with the awards, you already won.”

The rest of the afternoon passed in a whirlwind of conversations, sales, and stolen glances at my phone. The Veda scandal kept growing, but so did support for Lumina Bloom. Orders were coming in faster than we could process them.

For the first time, I allowed myself to feel a spark of real hope, but as the day moved toward the closing ceremony, I couldn’t ignore the tension in the air. Calder was still here somewhere. Veda’s absence felt loud. Indira’s hatred was palpable even from across the hall. And deep down, I knew this victory — if it came — wouldn’t be the end.

It would only trigger the next battle. Still, as I stood behind my booth watching the crowd, red lips curved in a small, determined smile, I felt stronger than ever.

I had survived my mother’s wrath.

I had survived Indira’s violence.

I had survived the rumors and the fear.

Now, on this final day, I was ready for whatever came next.

Lumina Bloom was no longer just a dream.

It was becoming my reality. And no one, not even the people who once claimed to be family, was going to take it from me again.