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The digital deadbolt beeped, a sharp electronic chord slicing through the frozen silence of the kitchen at 6:15 AM. / Chapter 13 / 19

Chapter 13

A year later, my tech firm officially went public on the NASDAQ exchange, ringing the opening bell from the trading floor in New York City while broadcast live on every major financial network across the globe.

My net worth crossed nine figures before noon.

As the digital ticker flashed my company's soaring stock symbols in brilliant green neon light, a young female intern stepped up to my side, her hands shaking slightly as she handed me the final regulatory approval forms.

"Ms. Vance... are you nervous?" she whispered, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and intimidation.

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I stepped past the door frame, my leather shoes clicking softly against the linoleum floor.

I stepped past the door frame, my leather shoes clicking softly against...

The screech of the chopper’s rotor blades vibrated directly through the freezing slate beneath my spine. The blinding white vortex of snow kicked up by the downdraft burned my eyes, but I forced my lids open, locking my gaze onto the amber visor of the rescue specialist dropping out of the sky.

The screech of the chopper’s rotor blades vibrated directly through the...

Daniel stepped toward the bed, his polished leather shoes squeaking against the pristine hospital linoleum. He reached for the tray table, his fingers brushing the edge of the papers. His voice was low, coated in a practiced, corporate calm that made my stomach churn worse than the spiked blood pressure.

Daniel stepped toward the bed, his polished leather shoes squeaking agai...

I took the golden pen from her hand, signing my name with effortless, sweeping strokes.

"Never be nervous when you're the one holding the pen," I replied, looking down at her with a warm, encouraging smile. "Let them be nervous of you."

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