THE WITHDRAWAL
I arrived at Silverline early that morning, carrying a fresh sense of purpose. The small loft office felt more like home every day. We had momentum after the Meridian win, and for the first time, I allowed myself to believe we could actually turn this company around. Ethan was already there, pacing near the main table with a coffee in hand. His face was tight when he saw me.
“Evelyn,” he said, voice heavy. “We need to talk.”My stomach dropped. I set my bag down. “What happened?”
He handed me a printed email. “Vanguard Capital just pulled out. They were one of our biggest remaining prospects. They cited ‘recent rumors’ and said they didn’t want to get involved in any Harrison-related drama.” I read the email twice. The language was polite but clear: they had heard whispers
