Mason Graves
The moment Serena announced my name, addressing me as “Mr. Graves” with that professional, detached tone, I stood from my seat, buttoning my suit jacket. I made my way to the stage, the weight of the room’s attention pressing down on me. But despite the hundreds of eyes focused on me, my attention remained fixed entirely on her—the way she held herself, the way her usually confident demeanor was momentarily replaced by a more distant, almost strained look. It wasn’t obvious to anyone else, but I could see it. I had been watching her closely for months now, and I could tell when something was off.
Taking the microphone from her, I allowed the briefest of pauses to hang in the air before I spoke, my voice steady, authoritative, and calm.
“It is an honor to present the awards
