On the other end of the line, a heavy, deeply frustrated silence stretched from Richard Stewart’s end. He rubbed his aching temples, a familiar wave of exhaustion washing over him. How on earth did I end up with daughters who are both so incredibly stubborn?
Just moments before dialing Rachel, he had hopped on a call with Chloe to ask for a definitive update on her progress with the investment. Chloe had completely fumbled through the conversation, desperately fabricating a string of elaborate excuses, ultimately pleading with him to just grant her a little more time.
And now, here was Rachel, entirely unbothered, claiming her own progress was merely "pending."
The entire Global Project was locked in and scheduled to launch next week. Everything was perfectly aligned; the one and only h
