The crystal chandelier overhead hummed with a low, electric frequency that vibrated straight through Evelyn’s teeth. Below, the ballroom was a sea of glittering silk, pressed linen, and expensive champagne. Two hundred guests—her colleagues, her father’s business associates, people who had sent silver trays and crystal decanters—were laughing, turning their heads expectantly toward the grand staircase.

Evelyn walked back to her desk, picked up her silver fountain pen, and turned her attention back to the architectural blueprint spread out before her.

Marcus walked into her office a moment later, holding a tablet displaying the latest quarterly financial metrics. “Evelyn, the preliminary engineering reports for the cultural center just came in. The structural load limits exceed our projections by nearly fifteen percent. We’re officially ahead of schedule.”

Evelyn looked up, smiling warmly. “That’s fantastic news, Marcus. Let’s lock in the contractor bids by Friday so we can break ground before the first winter frost.”

Marcus nodded, stepping closer to her desk. He paused, noticing the pristine, uncluttered state of her workspace. “Everything alright?”

“Everything is more than alright,” Evelyn said, leaning back in her ergonomic leather chair with a deep, contented breath. “In fact, everything is exactly where it’s supposed to be.”

Marcus smiled, resting his hand lightly on the edge of her desk. “Good. Because tonight, we’re celebrating. No spreadsheets, no legal reviews, no international flights.”