round the conference table nodded slightly. I knew many of them had walked similar paths\u2013earning their positions through merit rather than pedigree.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While I regretted missing the opportunity to attend an Ivy League school because the Wrights disapproved\u2013perhaps to maintain better control over my future\u2014I had never abandoned my pursuit of a design career, nor felt inferior because of my educational background.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEasy for you to say, Melissa scoffed. \u201cBut Gold Coast clients expect professional credentials. Do you really think you understand the core principles of luxury interior design?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I glanced around the room, noting that Thomas, our general manager, was quietly observing everything. This was my chance to prove myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSince we\u2019re discussing professional credentials, I\u2019m curious,\u201d I picked up my notepad, my tone friendly yet carrying unmistakable confidence. \u201cMelissa, could you explain the application of axial relationships in spatial planning? Particularly in open public areas like the ones in our project?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Melissa\u2019s smile froze. She cleared her throat. \u201cThat\u2019s about\u2026 the connectivity of spaces.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCould you be more specific?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps you could tell everyone how the concept of chiaroscuro influences our lighting design decisions?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Victoria shifted uncomfortably in her seat, while Melissa\u2019s face had begun to flush.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026 it\u2019s a kind of\u2026 art technique,\u201d she stammered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded gently. \u201cIt is indeed an art technique, originating from the Renaissance, dealing with light and shadow contrast. In interior design, it guides us in creating depth and mood, as I detailed on page three of my proposal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to address the entire team. \u201cI understand the value of academic credentials, but in this industry, what truly matters is hands\u2013on experience and the ability to continuously learn. I may not have a degree from RISD or Parsons, but I have four years of frontline design experience and complete dedication to every project.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mark, a senior designer who had been with the company for eight years, suddenly started applauding. \u201cWell said, Cedar. I\u2019ve seen too many designers with impressive degrees but no talent. Your proposal is the most creative I\u2019ve seen in years.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Several other veteran employees joined the applause. Thomas smiled slightly, obviously pleased with the turn of events.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Melissa\u2019s face turned crimson as she hurriedly gathered her files and stood up. \u201cI have another appointment,\u201d she muttered, practically fleeing the\u00a0<\/p>\n
conference room with Victoria close behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When this ended, Thomas approached me. \u201cWell handled, Cedar. That\u2019s why you\u2019re in that position\u2013not because of your credentials, but because you have a\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
3:59 pm M\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 34\u00a0<\/p>\n
clear understanding of yourself and know how to prove your worth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled gratefully. In this industry, what ultimately speaks volumes is ability and results, not diplomas hanging on a wall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back at my desk, I overheard Mark and Jen discussing in hushed tones by the coffee station.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Sterling\u2019s been here three times this week, Mark said. \u201cColeman wouldn\u2019t say much, but I heard it\u2019s about the kid\u2013Aiden.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe heir?\u201d len raised her eyebrows. \u201cIsn\u2019t he like, seven?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
0.61\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSix,\u201d Mark corrected. \u2018Apparently Sterling wants him to understand the business from the ground up. Poor kid, having that much responsibility already.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t help but feel a pang of sympathy. At six, children should be building with blocks, not being groomed to take over design empires. I recalled the\u00a0<\/p>\n
serious little boy, how he\u2019d stood with perfect posture beside his father, observing everything with those intelligent eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
By six o\u2019clock, most of the office had cleared out. I stayed to organize my desk, wanting to start fresh tomorrow. The confrontation with Melissa had been\u00a0<\/p>\n
draining, but I felt a quiet satisfaction. I\u2019d held my ground professionally, without stooping to their level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I finally made my way down to the lobby, the evening rush hour was in full swing. Chicago\u2019s streets were crowded with commuters, and the first drops\u00a0<\/p>\n
of an early autumn rain had begun to fall. I was contemplating the long wait for a rideshare when a familiar voice called my name.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMs. Wright?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Turning, I found myself looking at Aiden Sterling, standing beneath the awning of our building.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAiden? What are you doing here?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a meeting with Mr. Coleman regarding some operational aspects of Nest Design,\u201d he replied with that eerily adult cadence. \u201cI should understand how\u00a0<\/p>\n
our subsidiaries function.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded, trying not to show my surprise at a six\u2013year\u2013old using phrases like \u201coperational aspects\u201d and \u201csubsidiaries.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI noticed you were leaving,\u201d he continued. \u201cGetting a taxi during rush hour can be quite inefficient. Our driver could take you home, if you\u2019d like.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hesitated, seeing the sleek black car idling at the curb. \u201cThat\u2019s very kind, but I wouldn\u2019t want to impose.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s no imposition.\u201d Something in his expression softened slightly. \u201cConsider it gratitude for defending me yesterday.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The rain began to fall harder, and the rideshare app on my phone showed a fifteen\u2013minute wait time. Looking at Aiden\u2013a child being forced to grow up too\u00a0<\/p>\n
quickly, yet still showing unexpected kindness\u2013I found myself nodding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Aiden. That would be helpful.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the car, Aiden sat with perfect posture, hands folded in his lap. I gave the driver my address in Wicker Park, feeling strangely self\u2013conscious about my modest apartment destination.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIs your father expecting you home soon?\u2018 I asked, trying to make conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
*Father is in meetings until eight.\u201d He glanced at me. \u201cSo today was your first day\u2013how did it go, Ms. Wright?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was good. I\u2019m enjoying the work here so far, though there are some challenges. And I\u2019m still working on building relationships with my colleagues,\u2018 I said\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 34\u00a0<\/p>\n
honestly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople underestimate you,\u2018 he stated matter\u2013of\u2013factly. \u201cThey do that with me, too, because of my age.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked in surprise, turning to look at him more closely. \u201cI didn\u2019t expect you to experience that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I studied him, this strange little man in a child\u2019s body. \u201cDoes that bother you?\u2018\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, something very childlike flickered across his face\u2013vulnerability, perhaps even loneliness. \u201cIt\u2019s irrelevant. Perceptions change when results speak for themselves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The car pulled up to my apartment building. It wasn\u2019t shabby by any means, but certainly a far cry from the Gold Coast mansions the Sterlings occupied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for the ride, Aiden. It was very kind of you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He nodded, then hesitated for a moment, his formal demeanor softening slightly. \u201cActually\u2026 would it be alright if I came up for some water?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Sky Remembered the Touch of Our Uninished Goodbyes by Lysa Orion Rehn 34 round the conference table nodded slightly. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[88],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-zero-stars-for-daddy-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30433"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30433\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}