It started with a single correction. One sharp, clean cut in the middle of council discussion.
“Amelia, I believe you meant the quarterly projection for Crescent territory,” Elsa said brightly, her voice slicing through the room like polished glass. “Not the annual.”
The room went still.
I looked up from my notes. I hadn’t misspoken. The projection was annual, but it didn’t matter. Everyone was already looking at me like I’d slipped.
“It is the annual,” I replied, calmly. “We adjusted scope last quarter.”
Elsa smiled wider. “Oh, my mistake. I suppose I’m just a little behind on the latest agenda.” She laughed lightly. “I try to keep up, but I’m mostly here for the public-facing pieces, you know. The human element.”
Laughter rippled. Soft, awkward, but it landed. My cheeks flamed. I f
