mond

is

in front of Fernandez Real Estate, my company's flagship building. Every employee in

oon, Preside

me bac

eting in Los Ang

ad ever seen in my thirty-two years of life. She was walking out of my building with an elegance t

es around her shoulders, catching the light and making her look like she had stepped out of a magazine cover. The emerald green dress she wore hugged her c

ned the entire world and was simply allowing the rest of us to exist in it. Her heels clicked against the pavement with purpose, each ste

without taking my eyes off the mystery woman. "Who

, President. She just purchased one of the most expensive properties in Sacr

around on my tongue. Something about it felt familiar,

ne point two million dollars. Didn't even blink when we

he feeling that I knew her from somewhere. There was something about

me like a li

had just transferred from a private academy to a public school because my father want

r socializing. While other rich kids my age were showing off their expensive cars and desi

made me a target for

a business strategy book when they found me. Jake Morrison and his crew of three oth

ng the book from my hands. "Rich boy thinks he'

," I said quietly, reaching for my b

u show up here in your daddy's expensive car every morning, but you w

e tree. "We think you're pretending to be a man when you're really

what they meant. "Please don't do th

er circle around me. "We want to see if you're reall

, trying to stand u

e tree so hard that my head bounced off the bark. His friends started pulling at my cloth

dents were in class or had alre

ore my shirt. "We're going to strip you naked and leave you h

to succeed, a clear, strong voice cu

from him r

She wasn't particularly tall, but something about her presence made her seem larger than life. Her dark hair w

ke demanded, not loosening

lied calmly. "And if you don't let him go in th

boy's girlfriend is here to save him! What are yo

ed trouble. "I don't need to fight you. My uncle is Dean Harrison, the head of this s

was known for having zero tolerance for bullying, and he ha

said, but his voice h

call him right now and have security here in two minutes

ly, clearly weighing their options. Finall

" he muttered as

"And if I see you bothering anyone el

ent expression. The fierce warrior was gone, replaced by a kind

e asked gently. "D

y torn shirt. "Thank you so much for helpi

sually too scared to call that kind of bluff.

getting hurt just to help a stranger, an

smart and you seem like a good person, but you need to learn to stand up for yourself. I know you love books and stu

how," I admi

make you weak, but letting bullies think they can control you does. Next time someone t

into my soul. "What's your name

il swinging as she headed toward the parking lot. I called aft

transferred to a different school, and despite all my efforts to find h

he way she had fearlessly stood up to four g

en years later, I finally understood wh

voice urgent. "Where is

I imagine, sir. The ho

ady heading toward my car. "I need

finally found the brave girl who had saved my li