"Next, may we welcome the representative from Sanchez Group, Ms. Winifred Taylor, to the stage to present the Southgate project proposal!"
Winifred rose slowly under the weight of every gaze in the room. She wore an apricot-colored blazer dress, her long hair swept up in a chignon. Gone was the wide-eyed innocent act she usually put on.
Asher gave her hand a gentle pat, his eyes soft as water, murmuring encouragement.
"Don't be nervous. I'm right here. Just do it the way you practiced."
That protective look on his face was identical to the one he'd worn years ago, after my parents died and my uncles tried to force me to hand over the family estate. He'd stood beside me then, shielding me from all of it.
Back then, he'd said the same thing: "Don't be nervous. I'm right here."
The only difference now was who he'd chosen to protect.
Winifred let out a long breath and walked to the podium.
"For the Southgate development, my design philosophy centers on building a city that gives people a sense of belonging. In our major metropolitan areas, we see endless traffic and concrete. But everyone carries a private vision of somewhere quieter, somewhere that feels like home..."