Yesterday’s meeting with Emma lingered in my mind as I sat in my home office the next morning, a space as meticulously organized as my thoughts usually were. The large map of Maple Falls spread across one wall held colored pins, each representing a business venture I had a stake in. 

I sifted through business reports and strategic plans, each document a piece of the intricate puzzle that was Maple Falls’ future. My investments were varied – from local eateries to tech startups ...