AUTHOR'S POV The sports psychology office sat high above the athletic complex, its floor-to-ceiling glass wall offering an unobstructed, bird's-eye view of the entire practice rink. From up here, the sound of ice skates scraping against frozen water was muffled into a quiet, rhythmic buzz, and the sharp shouts of coaches sounded like faint whispers. Ava Carter stood near the polished glass, a thick leather clipboard resting securely in her left hand. She wore a tailored navy blazer that exuded absolute authority, her dark hair pinned back into a low, immaculate twist. Her sharp hazel eyes tracked the chaos down on the ice, following the black-and-gold jerseys as they executed lightning-fast passing drills. She was taking precise notes, her pen clicking against the pad with practiced ef

