The warm lights in the hall gradually brightened, and the spotlight shining on Ashley slowly faded. Seconds later, she could finally see the faces before her—their smiles, their attentive eyes, and, standing at the front of them all, Lucian and Primo, both on their feet, waiting to hear her speak.
"I'm sorry," she began, glancing apologetically at the host and the event coordinator. "I know this speech is important, but... standing here, I realized that if I was going to give this short speech, I wanted to actually see the people who made time for me tonight."
As she spoke, her gaze swept across the guests.
That simple opening alone brought even warmer smiles to their faces.
"A few months ago, I never would've imagined standing here—on this stage, talking about business alongside so many incredible people."
She let out a soft, self-conscious laugh.
