Chapter 4 — Clashing Visions

Emma

Emma Carter strode into the main meeting room at the Silver Birch Community Center, her heels clicking sharply against the worn linoleum floor. The brightly painted walls, covered in children’s artwork and community flyers, stood in stark contrast to the sleek boardrooms she commanded daily. The faint smell of coffee mingled with the distant laughter of children, a reminder that this world was far removed from the high-stakes realm of luxury hotels. She adjusted her tailored blazer, her sharp hazel eyes scanning the mismatched fold-out chairs and scuffed tables. A hint of unease flickered in her chest, but she pushed it aside. She wouldn’t let this setting throw her off her game.