Chapter Five

Present time......

LARA

The lipstick went on like armor.

Rich crimson, the kind that made me feel like I had my shit together even when I absolutely didn’t. I pressed my lips together once, then leaned in toward the mirror over my tiny bathroom sink, checking for any smudges. None. Good. It was too early for mistakes.

Today was going to be chaos. I could feel it.

The investor pitch deck still need