"A person should never be judged based on physical appearance, sexuality, religion, social status, background, or origin. A person should be judged by their character."
— Bella Angel Douglas
Sofia's POV.
Saydai walks into my office carrying a steaming cup of warm brown chocolate in one hand and a stack of files in the other.
There was a time I used to look at her and wish I were her.
But that was years ago.
Now?
I love myself far too much to wish I were anyone else.
She places the chocolate gently on my desk. I wrap my fingers around the cup and take a slow sip. A soft sound escapes my lips as the rich, velvety taste melts on my tongue, momentarily pulling me away from the bitterness of certain memories.
This isn't just any chocolate.
It's from my company.
I own two corporations — Sofi Architect and Sofi's Chocolate — and yes, I am also a licensed architect. Sofi Architect is recognized across Africa for its innovation, while Sofi's Chocolate is the leading brand in Liberia and the second largest in West Africa.
Chocolate is more than a product to me.
It is comfort.
It is celebration.
It is therapy in liquid form.
A subtle clearing of the throat pulls me back to reality.
Sandra is staring at me.
I blink.
"Yes?" I say, straightening slightly. My mind has been wandering far too often today.
You're probably wondering why I'm already in the office before my personal assistant. Simple.
I prefer arriving before everyone else. Leadership begins with discipline.
"Today, you have an important meeting with Mr. Randall at 10 a.m. The investigation concluded yesterday. It was confirmed that company funds were diverted into multiple personal accounts."
She pauses briefly before continuing.
"At 1 p.m., you have a board meeting with the managers of Sofi's Chocolate. At 3:30, you'll be visiting the factory. And at 6 p.m., you have a contract signing with Mr. Haywood at Crystal's Restaurant."
Haywood.
That name alone is enough to tighten my jaw.
He has been a persistent inconvenience for six months now.
I'll deal with him later.
"You also have several contracts to finalize with shareholders and partners," Sandra finishes smoothly.
She delivers all of that in one breath.
I exhale dramatically.
"Well… that's barely anything. My schedule seems quite empty today," I say, flashing her an innocent smile.
It's Monday.
If this is "light," imagine the rest of my week.
"Yes," Saydai nods seriously. "You practically have nothing to do. I suggest you spend the day drinking chocolate and perhaps throw a chocolate party."
Let me translate.
No chocolate refills every two hours today, Miss Parker. You actually have work to do.
"Thank you so much, Saydai, for the update on my very free schedule," I reply, my sarcasm thick and deliberate.
"Merci beaucoup, Mademoiselle," she says with an exaggerated bow. "Enjoy your chocolate while it lasts. I'll see you in five minutes."
She exits with a grin.
If it were up to Saydai, she would tease me about my chocolate obsession daily.
We met in Singapore. I was drawn to her intelligence first — then her humor. She became the sister I never had.
We laugh freely.
But in business?
She is precise. Structured. Ruthless when necessary.
I take another slow sip of chocolate, savoring it as if it were my final one before battle.
Because today will be a battle.
Being short does not mean my intelligence is short.
I don't know what Mr. Randall was thinking.
Did he assume I was naïve? That I wouldn't notice money disappearing from my own company?
I document everything. Every transaction. Every contract. Every movement within these walls.
I am not the cold, tyrannical CEO portrayed in fictional novels.
I am human.
Flesh. Blood. Emotion.
I care about my employees. I ensure they are comfortable. I built this empire from nothing — not from inheritance, not from pity, but from relentless work.
I remember the investor laughing at me, looking down at my height as if it defined my worth. My hands shook during that pitch. I thought I'd fail. I left the room crying quietly, wondering if I would ever make it. Nights spent with my pillow wet from tears. Days spent hungry because I couldn't afford food. Wondering if my dream would ever come true, afraid that what people said about me would define my reality. But then… one day, everything changed. One moment. One call. One meeting. At first, I questioned if it was real, if I was dreaming, if it would last or vanish. Fear lingered, but determination burned brighter. That was my first victory. My first proof that persistence pays.
I did not sit around chanting magic words to summon success.
I walked floors in tiny apartments in Singapore, rehearsing business pitches until my feet ached. I competed. I failed. I tried again. I sacrificed sleep. I swallowed pride.
God blessed the effort — but the effort was mine.
And now this man dares to steal from me?
Not only steal.
But insult me.
I reviewed the CCTV footage personally.
He told his subordinates, "She won't find out. She's too small to run such a big company. She doesn't deserve it."
Too small?
The irony.
Where was he when I was pacing my apartment at 2 a.m., perfecting a presentation?
Where was he when investors dismissed me because they couldn't see past my height?
Does he lack the creativity to build something of his own? Why steal from another person's labor?
People hire employees not because they are incapable — but because no one builds an empire alone.
No man is an island.
We create opportunities. We reduce unemployment. We support families.
And he repaid that with betrayal.
I know about his mistresses too.
Yes.
I have a private investigator.
He underestimated the wrong woman.
Let this be clear:
No one disrespects Sofia Gabriella Parker — not in front of me, not behind my back, not under my roof.
They chose the wrong target.
And today?
They will learn that character outweighs appearance.
Author's Note
Like, share, and comment.
Happy New Year, everyone! I sincerely apologize for the long silence. I was dealing with personal challenges and needed time to focus on healing and self-improvement before returning to writing.
I have completed my first book on Wattpad — Kiekie and the Periodic Competition from the Believe Series. Feel free to check it out, as well as Hazel's Lesson.
I will continue the Believe Series after completing this book.
See you tomorrow. ❤️
With love,
Bella