I'm not used to silence meaning respect.
But today, the boardroom is silent. Not the uncomfortable kind. Not the kind that waits for me to mess up.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XJwnUPwVi
This silence holds weight. A silence that says: She just did that.
My presentation just ended—fifteen minutes of hard data, insight, strategy, and bold, unapologetic confidence.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYkB9LN3b3
The campaign I fought to lead—despite being told it was "too ambitious," "too much pressure," and "maybe for someone with fewer... distractions"—just landed our biggest client of the year.
The chairman looks stunned. Ricardo Santillan—Ryan's father—leans back in his chair and exhales slowly, like someone watching an underdog flip the entire game.
Finally, he speaks.
"Well, I'll be damned."
Soft chuckles ripple through the room.
"She took a six-month branding mess and turned it into a multimillion-peso partnership," one exec whispers.
Ryan doesn't say a word.
But he's looking at me like I just cracked open the sun.
After the meeting, I try to slip out quietly.
I make it as far as the hallway before I hear footsteps behind me.
"You know," Ryan says, catching up, "you just made half of them feel underpaid."
I smirk. "Was that a compliment?"
"That was awe, Samantha."
He pauses, then leans in slightly.
"I've seen people sell dreams. But you—you made them believe. You didn't just win a client. You made them bet on you."
I try to brush it off, but he adds—softly:
"You were electric in there."
And something in me lights up.
Not because I needed his approval...86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEOr4Jk1l7
But because it means something coming from someone who sees past my surface.
That night, after Angelique's asleep, I check my email one last time.
There's a message from Ricardo Santillan.
Subject: Immediate Consideration
"Samantha,86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxVNxZYHX8
Today you proved exactly what this company needs moving forward.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1dg2gMyZ5
When I retire, Ryan will need someone sharp, grounded, and unshakable beside him.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUyAF8XQRK
I'd like to speak with you about your future—86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOaQurSVZ8
As Vice President of Strategy."
Istare at the screen.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX0wM8l1va
The custody case? The noise?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEzoOFrVGw
It doesn't touch me here.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR1lDrthDo
Not when I've built a place they can't take away
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOYjNDPosD
and then Add to home screen.