VICTORIAThe room was full before I even walked in.That was how I knew this panel was important.Cameras lined the walls. Phones were already raised. Investors, editors, and designers filled every seat, dressed like they wanted to be noticed but not remembered. The air buzzed with quiet excitement, the kind that always came before something went wrong.Mara Dane sat on the stage with her legs crossed, smiling like she owned the entire place.I took my seat beside her, looking unbothered. I was in the front row of the panel table. A name card had already been placed there. My posture was relaxed. My hands rested loosely in my lap. Being calm was a choice, and I made it every time.Mara glanced at me sideways, just for a second, and her smile tightened. Good.The moderator started talking about the usual, using safe and careful words. Everyone nodded at the right moments.I listened like I always did.Mara spoke when it was her turn, her voice sounded bright, confident, and almost warm
Last Updated : 2026-01-13 Read more