The large conference room buzzed with quiet anticipation as Colton stood at the head of the table. The polished wood gleamed under the soft lights, and the faces of the shareholders were turned toward him, waiting for his words. Charts and reports were projected onto the wall behind him, but no one looked at the screen anymore. Their eyes were on him.

Colton spoke with calm authority, his voice steady and deliberate. He outlined the company’s growth for the past quarter, detailed the projections for the year, and presented the strategies he had meticulously designed. Every sentence carried weight, every explanation revealed his sharp mind and tireless effort.

When one...