The spotlight's glare was blinding. I stood frozen, my hands trembling slightly as the sea of unfamiliar faces turned toward me. These weren't just any faces—they belonged to Havenwood's elite, people who wouldn't have spared me a second glance a week ago. Now they stared with curious eyes, assessing me like I was some exotic specimen.
My throat tightened. Public speaking had never been my strong suit, especially not in front of people who had spent years looking down on me. I adjusted my tie—a tie that cost more than I used to make in a month—and took a hesitant step forward.
"You can do this," I whispered to myself, searching for Isabelle's face in the crowd.
When our eyes met, everything else faded away. Her encouraging smile steadied me, like an anchor in stormy waters. She believed in me, and somehow, that made all the difference.
As I joined her on the platform, whispers rippled through the audience.
"Who is he?"
"Isn't that Seraphina's ex-husband?"
