The meeting 1

Yvonne stood at the entrance of the VIP meeting room, her hands gripping the strap of her purse tightly as she took a deep breath. The room before her was extravagant—polished marble floors glistened under the soft glow of chandeliers, walls adorned with intricate gold trimmings, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a lush garden. The room radiated wealth, sophistication, and beauty, but to Yvonne, it felt as cold and stifling as ever.

She had grown up in a similar luxurious setting, surrounded by the same sort of opulence, but she had never felt at home in it. The grandeur, the endless need for perfection—it had suffocated her, and now, standing here again, those old feelings crept up her spine, making her feel out of place despite the familiarity.

She straightened her shoulders, pushing away the tension. No matter what, she would face this moment without letting it show how much her nerves rattled. She was no longer the fragile girl they had banished years ago. She had a new