Elena's POV
“Please, continue,” Mr. Blake said calmly. He was the only one quiet all this while, aside from Andrew.
The room fell silent again, so silent I could hear the faint hum of the projector and the soft shuffle of someone adjusting their chair. My palms were damp, and I wiped them discreetly against my skirt before clearing my throat.
“I—uh—yes, sir.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced my voice steady. “As I was saying…”
The words came out smoother than I expected, but it still felt like I was walking on a tightrope. I forced myself to concentrate while the board members’ eyes pinned me down like predators.
I stole glances at Andrew during the rest of the presentation. His expression was unreadable, the cool mask he always wore. Whatever he had seen, it had to be ab
