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The board meeting that followed exceeded our highest expectations. The chairwoman particularly praised our ability to handle crises while maintaining client confidence. Even Jenkins contributed enthusiastically about watching the overnight crisis management firsthand.

“The adaptive learning capabilities Ms. Hastings developed could potentially be applied across multiple industries,” he explains to the board, his typical reserve replaced by genuine excitement. “Traditional systems follow predetermined protocols, but this approach allows the technology to evolve alongside user behavior.”

Throughout the presentation, I find my attention divided—pride in Emma’s brilliance warring with anxiety about her upcoming lunch with Goldman Sachs. I’ve worked in theindustry long enough to know that Judith Walsh doesn’t arrange meetings for casual conversation.

“Mr. Walker,” the chairwoman concludes, “your leadership through this implementation has been exemplary. And Ms. Hastings...” She smiles warmly. “Your innovative approach to sustainable technology is exactly what this industry needs.”

The words echo in my head as the meeting ends.

What this industry needs.

What our company needs.

What I need, though, I’m trying not to let that influence anything.

Sophie catches me in my office before lunch. She’s dressed impeccably, as always, but her expression is uncharacteristically serious.

“You look like you’re plotting hostile takeovers in your head,” she observes, closing the door behind her.

“Goldman Sachs wants to meet with Emma.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh. When?”

“Lunch today. Judith Walsh herself.”

“The woman who overhauled their European operations?” Sophie perches on my desk, her usual casual demeanor giving way to genuine concern. “That’s... significant.”

“I know.” I tap my fingers nervously against the desk, abandoning any pretense of composure with my sister. “And I have to be completely supportive while pretending I’m not terrified they’re about to offer her something incredible.”

“Lucas,” Sophie says gently, “you know Emma wouldn’t make a decision like that lightly. Especially now, with everything between you.”

“That’s just it. What if she stays because of me? What if I’m holding her back from an opportunity that could transform her career? She’s brilliant, Sophie. She deserves every chance to shine.”

“Yes, she does, but keep calm till you know what is being offered,” she says. “I’ll see you later.”

After the meetings, I find Emma in her office, still riding high from our success. Her desk is covered with implementation notes and adaptive system schematics, colorful sticky notes creating an organized border around her computer screen.

“Hey, superstar. Lunch to celebrate?” I ask, leaning against her door frame.

Her smile falters slightly. “I can’t. I have that lunch with Judith Walsh, remember?”

Right. Goldman Sachs. I perch on the edge of her desk, fighting the urge to ask her to cancel. “What time will you be back?”

“The reservation’s at one. I should be back before three.” She studies my face, her expression softening. “Lucas... you know this is probably just a courtesy lunch, right?”

But we both know Goldman Sachs doesn’t arrange executive lunches without purpose. Still, I force a smile. “Of course. Though if they try to poach my brilliant head analyst, tell them we have secret snack stashes and rubber ducks they can’t match.”

She laughs, some of the tension breaking. “I’ll be sure to mention our unique approach to workplace mascots.”

I want to say more—to tell her that whatever Walsh offers, we could match it. That Walker Enterprises needs her. That I need her. But those wouldn’t be fair arguments, not when she deserves every opportunity her brilliance has earned.

The afternoon crawls by. I try to focus on reports, emails, and anything except imagining what Goldman Sachs might be offering my brilliant head analyst, my girlfriend, the woman who makes everything in my life better.

The decision to support Emma’s career, whatever that might mean, is easy in theory. In practice, watching her leave for lunchwith Judith Walsh felt like watching part of my heart walk out the door. What if this is the opportunity of a lifetime? What if New York, Goldman Sachs, and international acclaim are what she truly deserves?

Sophie brings coffee around two. “Stop staring at your phone. She’ll be back soon.”

“I’m reviewing quarterly projections.”