Chapter 35

Lauren's POV

I had an appointment with three companies today. At first, when I was still at home with Elena, I thought time wouldn’t be a problem for me, I had planned everything out to the minute. But as life would have it, the universe decided to test me. Traffic was horrible, the worst I’d seen in months, and it felt as if every road I took had some kind of accident, construction, or endless red light waiting to slow me down. By the time I managed to get through the first two companies, I realized I was practically racing the clock for my final appointment.

The last company was the one I’d pinned most of my hope on: Hale Enterprise Corp. I was running on foot for the final stretch, ignoring the burning in my legs and the sweat clinging to my skin. I didn’t care what I must have looked like, hair probably a mess, blouse sticking to my back because missing this opportunity wasn’t an option.

I paused outside the building, catching my breath. For a