"Well," Avery said, her voice light yet grounded with quiet purpose, "it was our luck that Miss Mireille liked our collection."
Her smile was soft, humble but the spark in her eyes was unmistakable.
"So," she added, glancing toward Naya, "it's actually a very good thing."
Naya nodded with a bright, genuine smile, eyes still shimmering with pride.
"Yes, Ma'am," she said. "A very, very good thing."
A week ago, Naya had feared Celestria's name would be synonymous with disgrace.
Now, it was glowing with praise.
And at the center of it all was the woman sipping from a simple ceramic cup, gaze focused, serene as if nothing had ever shaken her.
"But now," Avery said, placing her cup down with a soft clink, "we have to make sure we become the winners of this year's IFA."
Her tone had changed, not cold, but sharpened.
The ambition in her words stirred something in Naya's chest an electric kind of energy.
"Yes, Ma'am. We will."
---
