Elise's fox ears twitched and her eyes went wide. "Boss, you're stepping down? But… what about the company? What about us?"
Alfraed lifted a hand, calm but firm. "I'm not abandoning Herbs & Lotions. This firm is proof of my efforts and will play a crucial role in developing my new lands."
He leaned forward, hand on the table. "I've given this a lot of thought. In a short time, the company has grown beyond anything I imagined—and I couldn't have brought it this far on my own."
He paused as the room grew tense. Then he continued, "But growth brings responsibility. The lands I've been granted are vast, fertile, and full of promise. That potential won't fulfill itself; it needs resources, attention, and leadership. That's where I must turn my focus."
Elise's ears flattened and her tail swished uneasily. "So who will take over? The company was built on your vision."
