Chapter 62

Christina's POV I didn't waste time with excuses or sob stories. I simply apologized for being late and launched straight into my presentation. While the projector warmed up, I tugged my shirt into place and used those precious seconds to steady my breathing. Akira was still on high alert after our mad dash to the office, and I needed her calm. "Today I'm presenting BloomState," I began, finding my professional voice despite my racing heart. "Each piece captures the fleeting moments in a flower's lifecycle." I clicked through my designs one by one—tiny spiral bud earrings, an open heart necklace resembling a full bloom, the structural Seed Pod Ring with its sharp angles, and finally the Dewdrop Collar with its light-catching stones. "I've studied Ms.Black's entire catalog and public persona,"I explained,my confidence building. "While her brand is known for playfulness, these pieces will elevate her to iconic status." Throughout my presentation, Eliza Black sat motionless behind her des