The startup survived, but the story shifted. People praised Ethan as the hero who “saved the company,” because he was the public face of the fight with the investor. Sloane hugged him, glowing with pride, and told everyone Ethan had nerves of steel. Mara quietly noticed her own name stayed unspoken, but she was okay with that.
Mara’s focus snapped back to the present. The rooftop ballroom glowed with warm light, and applause rolled like waves. Ethan stood onstage again, smiling for the cameras. Sloane stood beside him, close enough to look more like the co-owner, rather than a girlfriend.