Kate’s POV

He was tall and dignified, wearing a formal suit that fit him well. From the way he approached me, I could feel the intensity behind his smile.

"Kate," he called out in a familiar tone, even though I didn't know him. "I wanted to congratulate you on the success of your project. I've long admired your hard work."

I nodded and smiled politely. "Thank you. It means a lot to me."

"Not only is your hard work admirable, but also the way you deal with challenges," he continued. "I see you at events like this all the time, and you always seem so strong and independent. Do you...