16

You feel sudden heat burning in your face as you try to understand how she—anyone—could know who you are. But it doesn't matter. All that matters is that this stranger is about to pull you up in front of everyone, maybe exposing your secrets for the whole town to hear. You've never been more ready to stand your ground.

"Would everyone please give a big welcome to—"

You square your shoulders, outrage coursing through you.

"—Mr. Frank Clarence, CEO of Clarence Industries."

You watch in glacial slow motion as the thick pile of hair in front of you stands up, soon followed by the man it belongs to. An instant later, as both your heart and time restart, that same man turns to face the rest of the people in the hall. He gives a cheery wave and they break into polite applause.

Taking him in, you see that he's a middle-aged man, and though not overly tall, he's broad-shouldered, stocky, and confident in his stance, and easily commands attention because of it. Although he isn't dressed in anything too flashy, you look from his leather boots to his glinting silver belt to his smartly rolled-up shirtsleeves, and recognize somebody who knows how to wear his money just enough for it to be noticeable—while keeping it subtle enough that it isn't the first thing anyone would notice.

Despite the muted reaction from the crowd, he seems perfectly as ease at the front of the hall, greeting everyone with a smile.

"Mr. Clarence has made a special trip up to Silvertree just to be here tonight," Dina goes on, "and he has said he's delighted to be able to discuss the developments face-to-face. Would you like to come up on stage, or—"

"No, no thank you. I'd rather be able to talk up close with everybody."

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