As he finally got up to leave, Charles found himself pausing by Amara’s side. “You remind me of someone I used to know,” he said quietly, his voice devoid of its earlier bluster.

Amara met his eyes, inclining her head slightly. “Thank you, Mr. Whitmore.”

And with that, he left, the door closing behind him with a soft chime. The encounter lingered, a lesson in humility and the enduring power of self-respect, leaving an indelible mark on both the billionaire and everyone else who had witnessed it.