They walked toward the ballroom doors.

I did not follow them.

I walked toward the side entrance, where Arthur was waiting by the registration desk.

He wore a dark suit and held a leather portfolio under his arm.

“Are you ready, Jocelyn?” he asked.

“I am,” I said.

“The board is seated,” Arthur said. “The MC knows exactly when to introduce you.”

“Thank you, Arthur. For everything.”

“You earned this,” he said quietly. “Go take what is yours.”

I entered the ballroom from the side door.

The room was massive, filled with dozens of round tables covered in white linens and silver centerpieces.

At the front of the room was a raised dais with a long table for the VIP guests and the keynote speakers.

I walked up the carpeted steps of the dais.

At the center of the table, next to the microphone, was a small silver stand holding a printed card.

It read: *Jocelyn Vance, Founder and Principal, Apex Realty Group.*

I sat down.

Across the room, at table twelve, I saw Graham scanning the crowd.

His eyes drifted to the dais.