She was in her office reviewing proposals for the cultural center’s interior consultant when her partner, Marcus, knocked on her doorframe. He wore the expression he always did when delivering news he knew she wouldn’t like, apologetic but firm.

“We need to talk about the Riverside project,” he said, settling into the chair across from her desk.

Sarah set down her pen. The Riverside development was their firm’s largest commercial contract, a mixed-use complex that would transform ...