She thought of her mom years ago, standing in their old kitchen, her hands rough from years of work.
“Don’t let them make you small, Lys,” she’d said. “You’re bigger than their words.”
Lysandra had nodded, her teenage self unsure, but listening. Now she typed back: “Let them come to me.”
The next morning, they did. Gavin, Tanya, and Elliot showed up at her hotel, their faces drawn, their confidence gone.
Gavin went first, his voice low, almost pleading. “Ms. Vale, I’ll step down. All of us.
Just give Orion a chance.” Tanya was next, her eyes wet, her hands clutching Lysandra’s arm.
“I was just following rules. I didn’t mean it.” Elliot couldn’t meet her eyes. “I’ll take the blame,” he mumbled.
“All of it.” Lysandra looked at them one by one, her face calm.
She stepped back, freeing her arm from Tanya’s grip.
