The lights were mercilessly bright. They always were, but tonight they felt sharper, hotter, like interrogation bulbs instead of stage lights. The air was heavy with whispers and the hum of camera lenses zooming in. Still, I stood tall behind the podium, the company logo glimmering behind me in silver and blue: Ace Logistics & Dynamics.

It should have been our company. But today, I was reclaiming what was always mine.

I leaned toward the microphone, the faintest smile touching my lips as the ...