Ava Smith sat elegantly in her office, surrounded by towering bookshelves that seemed to hold the weight of her intellect.

She cradled a delicate tea cup in her hand, her lips tenderly kissing the rim as she gazed at her iPad. The soft glow of the screen illuminated her focused expression.

As the door opened, her male assistant, impeccably dressed, walked down the long room to meet her. He bowed slightly, and Ava's eyes flicked up to him. She dropped her cup, and it clattered softly ...