The studio lights shone intensely, casting subtle reflections on Victória's elegant dress, who sat with impeccable posture in a leather armchair, at the center of the Global News live broadcast.
Next to her, the experienced host Harrisson Vale, a veteran of intercontinental media, smiled excitedly as he faced his guest.
"Miss Lancaster... or should I say CEO Lancaster?" he said with a professional wink, generating soft laughter in the studio.
Victória returned with a sweet and confident smile. "You can call me Victória. Titles are great in contracts, but here I prefer the lightness of the name."
The live audience, watching through the holo-network across ten continents, sent digital hearts in real time.
Harrisson continued. "Victória, the Diamante Tycoon group has already become one of the hottest corporate promises of the moment, and all this even before the official launch of your first product. How did this idea start? Was it something planned for years or...?"
Victória smiled nostalgically, still with impeccable posture, but her eyes softened with sincerity.
"It was totally organic, actually. I was with my friends — Luna, Lumine, and Nikoly — in one of those simple moments, sharing stories and... life frustrations. And then Luna, out of nowhere, said: 'What if we created our own company? Just ours. Just girls.'" she laughed, charming even the studio technicians. "And of course, we all thought it was awesome. The idea became reality faster than any of us imagined."
The interviewer nodded with genuine admiration. "You managed to create an empire in record time. But tell me... you have been very popular on social media lately, especially after the events involving your departure from the Lancaster family. In fact, many fans created a fan club in your honor, did you know that?"
Victória blinked, slightly surprised, but recovered the smile gracefully. "Fan club...? I... honestly didn't know. My routine has been so focused on launching our first product, the LUX Facial Mask, that I barely have time to follow social networks."
Harrisson laughed and snapped his fingers.
A hologram opened in the center of the studio, revealing dozens of posts, videos, and memes from social media. Comments flew across the screens:
@SylvaQueen42: "Victória is my spirit animal! Leaving the family, becoming CEO and still being beautiful? WINNER!"
@RenascerDoGelo: "The Pink Diamonds are dominating everything! I bought 10 LUX just to support queen Victória!"
@BillionaireFanGirl: "She left under the shadow of the Lancasters and now shines like a true diamond."
Victória covered her mouth, her eyes slightly moist, but she kept her pose. With a shy laugh, she looked at the holographic camera, blew an elegant kiss, and said.
"Thank you, really. This... means much more than it seems. I just wanted to do something for myself. Knowing this inspired other people... is a blessing."
The studio fell silent for a moment.
Even the producers behind the cameras seemed moved.
Harrisson smiled and commented. "By the way, your official fan club, the Pink Diamonds, has been responsible for a real wave of support on social media. They are promoting the LUX Facial Mask frenetically, organizing digital events, giveaways, early reviews... It's a spontaneous marketing campaign by millions of fans."
Victória placed her hand on her chest, emotional. "I don't even know what to say... thank you, really. To the Pink Diamonds, you are incredible. I hope my story shows that no one is obliged to live under the shadow of another person. And if one day I can give back this support... know that I will do it with all my heart."
The audience exploded with messages on social media. Diamond emojis, pink hearts, and phrases like "Victória is my favorite CEO!" flooded the global holo-screen.
Harrisson adjusted his glasses and said, with an excited smile. "The pre-sale of the LUX Facial Mask officially surpassed 50 million units sold, just in the Phoenix Empire. Miss Lancaster, what do you think about this colossal success?"
Victória blinked, feigning surprise, and let out a light laugh before responding with a humble tone.
"Honestly? We girls didn't expect such an immediate impact. When we were developing the product, we imagined a hard battle against established, traditional brands... those that have been in the market for centuries. We expected resistance. Aggressive competition. But..."
She smiled at the camera like sharing a secret. "The public embraced us. And I think that says a lot about how people are ready for something new. Something made with soul, with heart — and with cutting-edge science, of course."
Harrisson laughed, crossing his arms. "And speaking of competition... Many companies are worried about Diamante Tycoon. Some even contacted us off the record, saying the cosmetics market has gone on red alert. How do you respond to that?"
Victória tilted her head sympathetically and placed one hand on her chest, theatrically.
"I feel sorry for them." she said with a light and playful wink. "But Diamante Tycoon needs to grow. Needs to launch products. Needs to profit. We have amazing employees, projects in development, constant research. And all that costs money. Sorry, but we will keep selling."
The online audience exploded in digital laughter and applause.
#CEOWithClass and #VictóriaStrong started trending as new hashtags.
Riding the wave, Harrisson launched a more controversial question. "By the way, official information indicates that 90% of the employees hired by Diamante Tycoon so far are women. Does the company prefer female employees?"
Victória let out an authentic laugh, tossing her hair back with charm.
"Look, it was a strategic decision, but also a very personal one. Our administrative team, which by the way is composed of brilliant women, conducted internal research. And the data was very clear: women have been systematically undervalued in the job market for the past few centuries, especially in leadership and innovation positions."
She paused to emphasize. "So yes. We prioritize hiring women. Because someone has to open those doors. And if we have the power to hire, why not use it to change the game?"
Harrisson nodded respectfully. "Fair enough. Now... speaking of numbers, the world currently has a global minimum wage of 50 thousand dollars, and the Phoenix Empire with a minimum of 150 thousand dollars. But Diamante Tycoon... offers starting salaries of 300 thousand dollars during the three-month trial period, and it rises to 500 thousand dollars monthly after hiring. That's the highest base salary in the world. Why?"
Victória smiled and leaned slightly forward, her eyes shining. "Because our employees chose to bet on us. They left their old jobs, believed in a new, emerging company led by young women in a hyper-competitive market. That takes courage. That takes vision. So it's only fair that Diamante Tycoon gives back with the very best."
She raised her chin with confidence. "Well-paid employees work with dignity, freedom, and passion. And that's what we want to build here. A culture of excellence. And excellence begins by respecting those who make the gears turn: the worker."
Harrisson looked at the camera and let out an admiring laugh. "Ladies and gentlemen, I don't know about you, but I'd buy ten masks right now just for the CEO."
The studio erupted in laughter.
Victória laughed too, covering her lips.
Harrisson smiled sideways, adjusting his glasses, activating a new tab on the background hologram.
"Miss Lancaster, we received privileged and verified information that Diamante Tycoon recently acquired an underground property on the polar continent of Cryon, legally recognized by local authorities. It's a territory with abundant diamond deposits and..."
He paused theatrically, his eyes flickering slightly, and continued in a grave voice. "...a secret archaeological database related to the Arcane Era. Is it true?"
Victória, who until then had maintained the serene smile of a controlled executive, brought a finger to her lips in a contemplative gesture. Her expression was calculated, but not cold, like a queen pondering whether to share a secret with the people.
"After an extensive meeting with Diamante Tycoon executives..." she began, with a slow and engaging tone "we came to the conclusion that investing in the Cryon property would be a strategic and visionary move. The reason?"
She smiled slightly. "Diamonds. Diamonds are not just luxury items, they have industrial, technological, and... who knows, even mystical applications, especially with studies on energy conductivity. For an emerging company like ours, with ambitions expanding into new segments, including the lesser explored ones, this acquisition was natural."
Harrisson leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "But the Polar Empire is known for its strict restrictions. No foreign company is allowed to operate or mine there since the ecological scandals two centuries ago. How does Diamante Tycoon intend to explore the site?"
Victória elegantly crossed her legs and replied with diplomatic serenity. "Yes, the Polar Empire has strict laws, and rightfully so. That's why Diamante Tycoon opted for an agreement involving strategic international collaboration. The Phoenix Empire, with whom we have stronger diplomatic ties, will assume the mining and logistics operation of the Cryon property."
She paused, and then dropped the bomb with the subtlety of a UN veteran. "In exchange, our company shared with the Phoenix Empire full access to the archaeological database present on the property, a relic that, according to records, contains original fragments from the Arcane Era. Texts, maps, runic devices…"
The host widened his eyes and let out a low whistle. "You gave an Arcane Era base to the Phoenix Empire?"
Victória smiled mysteriously. "Diamante Tycoon believes that historical knowledge, especially from an era that redefined the world, should be preserved by governments and academic institutions, not hoarded by corporations. Our mission is progress, not monopoly."
Social media exploded in real time.
#VictóriaVisionary
#ArcaneEraRevealed
#DiamondInTheIce
#CryonGate
On the screen, the holographic chat vibrated with comments:
"She's a CEO, a diplomat, and now an archaeologist too?"
"She donated a secret arcane base just to mine diamonds?! I LOVE A POLITE VILLAIN."
"Now that's a power move. Alliance with the Phoenix Empire = profit AND security."
Harrisson concluded the segment with an incredulous laugh. "And they say young CEOs lack strategic vision... Miss Lancaster, the world is officially watching you. And your company."
Victória simply raised a glass of water and smiled at the camera. "Perfect. We're watching the world too."