Chapter 26

Emma stared at her laptop screen, the words of her capstone project blurring as exhaustion set in. The digital clock in the corner read 2:37 AM—another late night in what had become her new normal over the past eight months.

Her Harvard Executive MBA program had proven even more demanding than anticipated. Combined with running the Blades through playoff season and monitoring her grandfather’s declining health, Emma had pushed herself to limits she hadn’t known existed.

She rubbed her eyes, determined to finish this section before allowing herself sleep. The project analyzed innovative revenue models for professional sports franchises during economic downturns—directly applicable to her work, yet requiring academic rigor that stretched even her considerable intellect.

Her phone buzzed with a text. Only one person would message at this hour.

Still awake? Alek’s text read.

Unfortunately. This section on alternative revenue streams is fighting me.

Wa