"Well then," Jonathan said, smiling brightly as though nothing uncomfortable had just been said, "should we consider this deal final?"
Lucas didn't take his eyes off Sebastian as he gave a slow nod. "Okay from my end," he said confidently.
Jonathan clapped his hands once, and immediately the rest of the table followed with applause. The sound echoed through the large meeting room.
Sebastian could feel his whole body tighten the moment Ms. Li said "Agreed." The applause that followed only made things worse. Everyone around the table began to smile and clap as if something great had just happened. But for Sebastian, it felt like someone had snatched away everything he had worked for.
He stayed in his seat for a moment, unable to move. A low ache formed in his chest as frustration boiled inside him. After spending months putting together his proposal, thinking through every number, every plan—this was the reward he got. His hard work, his idea, was now being given to someone else.
