didn't come often. The gove

e kind of contract that could

it like sharks, but Wolfe In

on for weeks, and endless m

for battle, expecting the u

at he hadn't ex

the discussions, effortlessly

e they surfaced, and presenti

blem. Kelvin had known she

m was something

tense. The committee was wave

stepp

ency, she said, her voice clear,

offering a proposal; we

sion eased, as the officials

e contract

l, Kelvin found himself stari

used, still flipping through do

stirre

presse

t was d

years, Kelvin Wolfe wanted to

a conquest, but

't sure wha

ng glass was always

in her room, her small hand

an. Her father's voice, slu

se, followed by her

er mother would beg. But

a man consumed by his demo

, leaving behind a hollow she

with it, his pride. The weight

ore the brun

hated

the helplessness. The way he

ay, Anna. It's okay, even as b

y. It was

n, she made a promise to he

cycle of poverty and violence

h h

se became

ies, staying late at the librar

er determination, her hunger

o apply for

rived, offering her a full ri

he first time in years. She ha

u

e as she had hoped. Her mot

chance to build a better life w

agging

her voice trembling but firm.

hat fr

, Anna

Every achievement, every m

s still trapped in that hous

ca

alls of Wolfe Industries, Anna

rove herself. She couldn't affo

sta

ything, she found her

she had sworn to avoid: ch

r. But there was something ab

lls she had built, that

let herself