Lysandra didn’t answer right away.
She looked out the window, watching the city blur by—neon signs, people rushing, a street vendor packing up for the night.
She thought of her dad years ago, standing in their old kitchen, telling her: “People show you who they are when they think you’re nobody.”
She typed back: “Ready.”
The next day, the boardroom at Orion Air was a different kind of tense.
The executives were dressed to impress, ties knotted, tight smiles plastered on.
They had been told a strategic partner was coming to discuss the acquisition.
Gavin stood at the head of the table, practicing his handshake, muttering about brand synergy.
Tanya was there, her lipstick fresh, her smile a little too wide.
Elliot slouched in his chair, sunglasses on the table like a prop. The door opened and Lysandra walked in.
Black vest, simple but sharp. Hair pulled back. No jewelry, no makeup. Just her. The room froze. Tanya’s smile dropped.
