Chapter 28

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Boston Blades are your Stanley Cup Champions!”

The arena erupted as the final seconds ticked away, confirming what the scoreboard already proclaimed: Boston 3, Chicago 1 in Game 6 of the championship finals. Emma maintained professional composure in the owner’s box, exchanging handshakes with league officials even as her heart raced with triumph.

One year. It had taken exactly one year from her public introduction as team owner to this moment of ultimate victory. The journey had tested every facet of her character—her leadership, her resilience, her ability to balance professional demands with personal priorities.

“Your grandfather would be bursting with pride,” Walter murmured beside her, emotion evident in the assistant’s usually stoic demeanor.

Emma squeezed his arm in acknowledgment. Franklin wasn’t physically present, having watched from his hospital bed where he was recovering from his second cardiac procedure in three months.