make this dramatic, Claire.”
Dad jingled the car keys.
“We’ll take you to dinner when we get back.”
I looked at all three of them.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Vanessa laughed.
“See? She doesn’t care.”
I did care.
But begging people to value you never makes them value you.
It only shows them your dignity can be negotiated.
They drove away.
Two hours later, I put on my graduation gown, climbed into a black sedan waiting outside my apartment, and checked a message from my chief operating officer.
Board seated.
