The morning after the gala, Lila awoke in Liora's penthouse to a flurry of notifications. Every detail of Liora's life was scheduled: interviews, training sessions, public appearances, and confidential briefings she wasn't fully privy to yet. The weight of expectation pressed down on her.
A team of aides arrived promptly. "Miss Cade, we need your signature here, and your approval for the press release," said one. Lila blinked, flipping through documents she didn't fully understand. Each decision she made carried consequences. A wrong word, a delayed response, or a missed cue could ruin reputations or worse.
It was then she realized the truth: Liora's life wasn't just glamorous—it was a delicate game of strategy, perception, and precision. Admiring a heroine from afar was nothing compared to embodying one, making choices that shaped other people's lives. And the realization left her simultaneously exhilarated and terrified.