The whispers about Ray and Esme started quietly, a mere murmur that wove its way through the office like smoke, curling into every crevice until it became impossible to ignore. By midweek, the air buzzed with speculation, and every glance, every sidelong look, carried a weight of curiosity or judgment.
Esme began to feel the shift before she saw it. It started with subtle changes—the lingering gazes in the conference room, the way conversations paused as she entered a space. By the end of the week, it was undeniable. The shareholders who had previously been indifferent to her were no longer content to stand on neutral ground.
Some came forward, drawn by the magnetic confidence Esme exuded. They whispered their support, their alignment clear in the way they nodded approvingly during her presentations or casually mentioned their interest in her projects. These weren't declarations—they were overtures, cautious but deliberate.
