{HERMIONE} THREE DAYS LATER

“What if they hate my speech and decide to pull out?” I ask Zara, covering the tip of the mic before my anxiety gets announced to the whole room of investors.

“Oh God, Hermione, they won’t.” Zara rubs her forehead like she’s already tired of me.

“You stood in front of hundreds of people a few days ago. This is just sixteen investors. Sixteen. And you’re panicking?”

I suck in a deep breath, holding it in my chest like it can slow down ...