In a world where war is waged with missiles and manipulation…
Arthur had learned a secret.
Influence doesn't always wear armor. Sometimes it wears silk.
And Molly Sinclair wore silk like it was a second skin.
Runway Without a Net
Molly was born into the spotlight and abandoned by it in equal measure. The daughter of a failed Hollywood producer and an absent runway icon, she'd clawed her way into modeling with nothing but her looks, attitude, and a fire in her chest that told her she'd never be used again.
Her body graced covers. Her walk turned heads.
But the industry gave her nothing.
No label. No investor. No alliance.
Just men with cold eyes and hands that lingered too long.
She turned down contracts that demanded her soul. Which meant she was blacklisted.
Until she got a call from a man she'd never heard of.
Arthur Ashford.
The Invitation
It came in the form of a private runway show in Milan.
She was told she'd be the only model walking.
She arrived in boots and leather, no entourage, no smile.
The stage was empty — save for one man in a black three-piece suit, seated at the end of the catwalk with a glass of dark wine.
Arthur stood when she entered.
"I don't want to sleep my way to power," she said coldly.
He smiled. "Good. I want you to own the world that sold your image without a share."
Molly narrowed her eyes. "What do you want from me?"
He stepped forward and handed her a golden sash.
"Your empire. Designed in your vision. Ruled by your fire."
The Transformation
They spent two weeks at his European estate.
Molly was given control over:
A chain of high-end luxury fashion houses
Global branding rights for elite influencer apparel
Licensing deals across five continents
Modeling agency acquisition networks
A fashion university in Paris backed by his funds
She expected to be a puppet.
Instead, she was made a queen.
Unbreakable Vow Initiated
Loyalty: 100%Domain Assigned: Fashion Industry, Global Trends, Aesthetic Branding
Rank: Dame
System Update
Arthur Ashford → Duke
Molly → Dame (Fashion World)Roxy, Nora, Candy, Carmen, Aurora, Eva, Summer, Bianca, Vivian → All ranked up accordinglyBella → Duchess
Skill Unlocked: Cultural Override
Grants ability to manipulate public opinion through fashion, trends, and visual culture.Branding initiatives gain +300% adoption rate.All future female empire representatives gain aesthetic bonuses based on Molly's standard.
Queen of the Camera
A month later, Molly launched the Empire Line — clothing embedded with subtextual messaging, QR codes that link to loyalty programs, and subtle style signals that marked wearers as "Chosen."
She was on the cover of Vogue, Elle, and Forbes—in the same week.
Fashion editors began using her name as a benchmark: "Is it Sinclair-quality?"
Arthur watched as the world's elites bent to her curves.
"She doesn't dress to impress," one mogul said. "She dresses to command."
And she did.
Behind the Curtains
Arthur met her after a silent auction in Paris, held in the Empire's newest fashion cathedral.
She wore a wine-red gown with a thigh-high slit and an emerald choker bearing the Ashford sigil.
"Have they bowed yet?" he asked.
She smirked, leaning against him. "Not all."
He whispered into her ear.
"Then we'll keep going until even their gods wear my colors."