CLAIRE

I saved everything to a USB drive. "I'll format it properly tonight," I said. "Make it look professional."

"Send me the draft," Nina requested. "I'll review the numbers again."

After Nina left, I spent three more hours formatting the proposal, executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, financial projections, risk assessment, growth strategy.

Everything an investor would expect to see, by the time I finished, it was past ten PM. Julian had been working in his office, giving me space.

I knocked on his door. "Come in," he called.

I entered and found him reviewing documents, his desk lamp the only light in the room. "I finished the proposal," I...