Everyone settled into their seats, but the meeting hadn't officially started yet. People exchanged pleasantries and held quiet side conversations while waiting.
Jonathan glanced around the conference room and spotted a few familiar faces.
There was Mr. Wilfred—Lily's boss.
He had always been kind to Jonathan.
Jonathan paused at the thought.
"When he was alive."
The words felt strange in his head.
He still wasn't used to thinking about himself that way.
His attention shifted when he noticed Mr. Wilfred gesture toward Lily, signaling for her to begin.
Lily stood and walked confidently to the front of the room.
"Hello, good morning everyone. I'm Lily Richards, and I'll be representing Denwalk Shipping Company this year. And with me is—"
A young woman stepped forward beside her and smiled warmly at the room.
"I'm Joycelyn Mayfield."
Joycelyn moved toward the back of the room and positioned herself behind the laptop controlling the presentation slides. After a quick nod signaling everything was ready, Lily continued.
"So, last year we successfully collaborated to create a shipping app. This year, I don't think we should focus on creating an entirely new project. Instead, I believe we should improve what we already started."
Jonathan leaned back slightly in his chair, watching her carefully.
"We could add new features like—"
He smiled without realizing it.
God, he was proud of her.
She moved around the room naturally, speaking with confidence and energy like she belonged there.
This was the same Lily who used to panic over the smallest presentations. Back then, she always wanted everything to be perfect and got frustrated whenever she stumbled over her words.
Now?
She wasn't even looking at the tablet in her hands anymore.
She was speaking freely.
Owning the room.
"—we could add a live customer service feature where customers can communicate directly with workers whenever there's a problem," Lily continued.
Jonathan barely heard the rest.
Because another thought had already taken over his mind.
How exactly was he going to pull this off?
And yes… he felt guilty for what he was about to do.
But he needed to reconnect with Lily somehow.
When the presentation ended, applause filled the room.
Mr. Walter stepped forward and called Lily to stand beside him.
"This year, Lily Richards will officially represent Denwalk Shipping Company for the project."
Another round of applause followed.
Then it was time for North Star Branding to announce their representative.
Jonathan stood.
Across the room, Sam Hemmingsworth straightened confidently in his seat.
Jonathan glanced at him and gave him an apologetic look.
Then he faced the room.
"I've decided that this year, I'll personally take part in the project," he announced calmly. "So I'll be representing my own company—North Star Branding."
Silence.
Shock spread across several faces.
Then the applause started.
Jonathan caught Lily's expression from across the room.
Confused.
Surprised.
Suspicious.
After the meeting, he spent several minutes shaking hands and speaking to different employees before finally making his way outside.
Emelia Banks approached him almost immediately, clearly confused.
"Sir… what happened? I thought Mr. Hemmingsworth was supposed to represent us."
"I changed my mind," Jonathan replied simply. "But let Mr. Hemmingsworth know I'm sorry. I'll make it up to him with a raise and a promotion soon."
Emelia still looked surprised, but she nodded.
Jonathan entered the car.
James glanced at him through the front mirror.
"Everything alright, sir?"
Jonathan loosened his tie slightly and leaned back into the seat.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "It went very well."
He looked out the window for a moment before adding,
"Take me to Club Sundown."
"Very well, Master Rodney."
Jonathan sighed softly.
At least he wasn't completely heartless.
He hadn't stolen the opportunity from Sam without giving him something in return.
And besides,
What mattered most was that he was going to see Lily again.