Chapter 90

Maya’s POV

“We all know exactly how our numbers look,” I said softly, sweeping my gaze over the mayor’s worried face. “We’re not a good investment. Believe me, I tried persuading several reputable companies myself, but somehow they always spot the negative reports first—and there goes any chance of helping this town.”

My voice trembled. I couldn’t bring myself to admit that I, too, had been one of those who let cold statistics define their decisions. I felt a flush of shame and guilt burn through me. In business school—and certainly in my training with the Richardsons—I was taught to rely on numbers above all else. They were dependable. They didn’t lie.

But no one ever taught me to look beyond raw data, to inject compassion or creativity into my assessments. I never questioned what lay behind those dry spreadsheets. As long as the Richardsons wer