The Spiteful Bride, Marry to Rival's Son-Chapter 110

TELL THEM I GOT IT FROM SAMUEL MEYER

The applause that followed their reveal still echoed softly as Stefan took the mic, standing center stage beside Mia. The lights bathed them in gold, casting a soft glow over the two figures who had just changed the entire direction of the construction world.

Mia looked at Stefan, expecting him to launch into numbers, plans, visions for the future.... maybe something about MSS and how it would shake the foundations of traditional building.

But he didn’t.

He turned to the audience, holding the mic steady. His voice was calm, deep, firm. The kind that made people stop mid-whisper just to hear him speak.

"I know everyone’s waiting to hear how we made this happen," Stefan began, "but the truth is... I didn’t. At least not alone."

He looked down at Mia with a soft smile.

"This woman right here," he said, gesturing to her, "is the mind, the heart, and the force behind MSS."

A soft murmur rippled through the crowd.

"She’s the kind of partner people pray for. Not just in business... but in life. Mia has vision. She has grit. And above all, she has the courage to chase what people think is impossible. MSS is here because she dared to dream it... and then dragged me along with her."

The room chuckled lightly, but Mia’s heart was pounding. Her eyes swelled with hidden tears.

"She handled most of the groundwork. She met with partners, planned the structure, handpicked our architects and designers. She didn’t just sit back and watch.... she worked. Hard. And the best part? She never once let her gender define her strength. Or her worth."

Stefan paused, his voice tightening slightly with pride.

"She led. And I supported. That’s how it should be. I’m proud to stand beside her. And tonight..... this moment.... it’s all hers." Mia tears that she’d been trying to hold freely fell down her cheek.

Stefan turned and looked at her again, the corners of his eyes crinkling. He held her hand’s and placed a soft kiss on it.

"So I’ll stop here and hand over the mic to the one who deserves it more. My wife, my partner... Mia Meyer Sterling."

Applause broke out, warm and genuine.

Mia blinked fast, forcing herself to smile as Stefan handed her the mic. She leaned in and gave him a soft, grateful peck on the lips before stepping forward.

Her dress shimmered under the lights. Her poise, unmatched. Her presence commanding.

"Thank you," she began, her voice clear and warm. "Thank you, everyone, for being here today. For believing in what we’re building."

She paused slightly.

"And thank you, Stefan... not just for your words, but for standing by me from the beginning. For never seeing my gender as a limitation. For letting me lead... and for correcting me when I needed direction, not control. That’s what great partners do. That’s what great men do. They don’t stand in your light..... they help you shine brighter."

A few claps followed, especially from the younger female businesswomen in the audience.

Mia took a deep breath, her voice softening.

"I want to thank my late mother too. She was the first person who looked me in the eyes and said, ’Mia, one day you’ll rule over something great.’" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Her smile wavered as she spoke.

"She believed in me even before I knew what that meant. She told me I could be a leader.... even when the world tried to tell me I couldn’t. I know she’s watching tonight... and I hope she’s proud."

Stefan glanced at her..... and only he could see the quick shimmer in her eyes.

Mia straightened her shoulders and continued.

"I want to thank Stefan’s mom too.... for raising a man like him. For giving him values that the world needs more of. Empathy. Patience. Strength. He’s one of the rare ones. And I’m lucky to have him."

Stefan’s lips tugged into a soft smile.

She then gestured toward the side of the hall. "To Elena, Aunt Gloria, Mose, Sienna and every single person who helped us behind the scenes.... this wouldn’t have happened without you. And to our investors, thank you for seeing the vision before it became visible. Thank you for believing in two young people who were only armed with ideas and determination."

Applause erupted again. This time louder.

But she wasn’t done. She turned slightly, pretending like she was about to hand the mic back to Stefan.

Samuel was already half out of his seat. She was done? She wouldn’t mention his name?

Jeremiah leaned closer like he was waiting for the moment she’d also say his name. He was Stefan’s dad. Why thank the mother who isn’t around, and leave him behind?

Mia paused.

"Oh," she said lightly, tilting her head as if remembering something small. "There’s one more person I forgot to thank."

Stefan let out a small, barely-there smile and looked away. He knew she hadn’t forgotten. She had recited this speech to him over ten times in the past two weeks.

But this? This part? She had planned with her whole chest.

"I want to thank my father... Mr. Samuel Meyer."

The hall shifted slightly, attention snapping toward Samuel.

Samuel jaw tightened. Was he that little that she would forget about him?

Cassandra couldn’t help the anger that was growing as the minute passed..... her blood boiled intensely. Her face contorted in an ugly manner.

Mia smiled... warm, sweet... but her voice was laced with something deeper now.

"Thank you, Dad, for the way you raised me. For teaching me the importance of hard work. For pushing me to study, to learn, to lead."

Mia looked up at him, a bright smile on her face. Her words are hitting exactly where she wants it to.

"I know I may not have been the child you planned to lead your empire. But you still trained me like one. Even if you didn’t choose me... you still made me strong enough to choose myself."

Samuel sat still, lips pressed into a tight line. What was her plan? To embarrass him?

Few guests gasps, few more turned their heads towards Samuel.

"And that strength? I used it. I took everything you taught me. Everything Mom left me. And I built something of my own." Her voice grew firmer.

"So if anyone ever wonders where I got my wisdom from.... tell them I got it from Samuel Meyer... and my mother’s fire."

She finally handed the mic back to Stefan, calm and poised like she didn’t just serve a quiet storm on stage.

And as they stood side by side, looking over the stunned faces in the crowd, the screen behind them shimmered once more with the company name.

MSS World.

This isn’t just an empire.

This is a World that gives birth to Empires.

The Future Is Now.

And everyone.... including those who once doubted them.... now knew the future had a name.

And her name was Mia Meyer Sterling. The wife of Stefan Sterling.