[Elena's POV]

Sarah, the PR coordinator of Marlowe Enterprises, tapped the tip of her digital stylus against her iPad screen. A steady, irritating rhythm.

"Marlowe Enterprises is proud to sponsor the next generation of architectural visionaries," I read aloud from the heavy cardstock. The words tasted like dust.

"We highlighted the Velgrave foundation's charitable donations in the second paragraph," Sarah instructed, her voice a practiced monotone. "Pause for three seconds after that sentence. ...