“When you go to more upscale events with your boss in the future, are you going to get so nervous that you ask him to cancel and drive iyou /ihome again?”

Alessia nced over at Joyce, her eyes steady and calm, not a trace of mockery or disdain–just a quiet, genuine curiosity.

“That’s not the same…” Joyce muttered defensively.

“How is it not the same?” Alessia pressed gently.

“These people–they’re all trust fund babies, heirs and heiresses.” Joyce’s voice was barely above a whisper.

“But Joyce, have you ever thought about the fact that you’re going to meet more and more people like them? In this city, if there’s one thing we’re not short on, it’s wealthy people. You’re at a top university, and younded an internship at Quantum Flux as a freshman on your own merit. All of these signs show that you’re already starting to move in these

circles.”

There was something reassuring in Alessia’s tone. The words seemed to settle the air inside the car, so even Joyce found herself following along.

“You always tell yourself you don’t belong, that you’re from a different world than these people. But then why did you work so hard to leave your small towni, /ito get into university, to join clubs andpete in contests? Was it just so you could go back and be invisible, or settle for a nine–to–five job that barely pays the bills?”

Joyce opened her mouth, but no words came out.

“iYou /ididn’t get a head start, but you get to choose where you finish.”

“I…” Joyce’s eyes trembled, and she twisted her fingers together in herp.

“When you took a little longer ordering at the restaurant, the waitress rolled her eyes at you. You thought it was your fault–you even tried to

09:08

make excuses for her. But she’s the one who should’ve been professional. Her job is to help you decide, maybe even walk you through. the options, not make you feel small with an eye roll.”

“Joyce, you can’t keep tearing yourself down. If you don’t respect yourself, how can you expect anyone else to?”

Alessia’s gaze locked with hers. Joyce wanted to look away, but it was as if she was caught, unable to escape.

“You’ve made it this far on your own. You’ve met so many different people–every single one of them could be a part of yourwork. I’m part of that too! If you want to climb higher, these connections are your rungs on thedder.”

Joyce swallowed hard. Under Alessia’s unwavering eyes, she found herself nodding.

She hadn’t expected Alessia to be so blunt, but somewhere deep inside, she felt a flicker of happiness.

There was something joyful, almost heady, about being seen and believed in. Without realizing it, she lifted her chin a little.

Not even Joyce noticed that, in her eyes, there was now a glimmer of hope–a vision of a future where she’d finally made it.

“Thank you, Lessie.”

No sooner had the words left her lips than the car pulled to a gentle stop in front of a hotel sovish it looked like something out of a different life. The driver opened the door for them, and they stepped out one after another.

“Stand up straight, okay?” Alessia gave Joyce’s shoulder an encouraging squeeze.

“Okay.” Joyce took a deep breath, straightened her back, and this time, kept her head held high.

Yes, she thought. After tonight, she’d still be Joyce, but she’d never again‘ be the timid, self–doubting girl she used to be.

09.09

She wiped her sweaty palm against her dress, and, following Alessia’s lead, strode confidently toward the entrance–the very ce she’d once believed she’d never belong.