Book 3 Power y advantage


    Book 3 Power y advantage


    +25 Points


    Emma stood in the middle of their living room, surrounded by boxes, watching Charlotte try to “help” pack by putting her stuffed animals in random containers.


    “Not the dishes box, sweetheart,” Emmaughed, rescuing a soggy elephant from a box of wrapped china.


    “Ellie wants to help too,” Charlotte exined seriously.


    Three weeks had passed since Seattle, and they were deep in preparation for the Toronto move. The six-month timeline felt both generous and impossibly short, depending on the day.


    “How was the Toronto call?” Alek asked, appearing in the doorway with Frankie on his shoulders.


    “Interesting.” Emma sealed another box, marking it “FRAGILE” inrge letters. “The sportswork wants to offer me a hosting role, not just consulting.”


    “Hosting what?”


    “A weekly show about women’s hockey. Interview yers, cover games, build the sport’s profile.” Emma tried to gauge Alek’s reaction. “It would be a biggermitment than I originally nned.”


    “But also a bigger opportunity.”


    “Exactly.” Emma lifted Charlotte away from another inappropriate packing choice. “The only catch is they want an answer by Friday.”


    “What does your gut tell you?”


    Emma considered the question. Since their marriage crisis, she’d been trying to trust her instincts more instead of overthinking every decision.


    “That it could be amazing. But also that it would mean even more time away from the kids.”


    “We’ll figure out the logistics,” Alek said confidently. “If it’s the right opportunity, we’ll make it work.”


    Emma felt a familiar flutter of gratitude for Alek’s support. Their partnership was definitely stronger than it had been a month ago.


    “There’s something else,” she said. “They want to know if you’d be willing to appear on the show asionally. NHL Commissioner perspective on women’s hockey development.”


    < Book 3 Power y advantage


    Alek raised his eyebrows. “That could get politicallyplicated.”


    “Could it?”


    $25 Points


    “Some of the board members are still touchy about anything that might be seen as favoring your interests over league interests.”


    Emma’s stomach dropped slightly. “So you can’t do it?”


    “I didn’t say that. Just that we’d need to be careful how we present it.”


    Before Emma could respond, her phone rang. Lisa’s number.


    “Emma, we have a problem,” Lisa said without preamble.


    “What kind of problem?”


    “Three of our New York sponsors are threatening to pull out if you relocate to Toronto. They see it as abandoning the league you built here.”


    Emma sank into a chair, feeling the familiar weight of impossible choices. “Which sponsors?”


    “The big ones. Enough to seriously damage the league’s financial stability.”


    Alek must have read her expression, because he immediately moved closer, taking Charlotte’s hand to keep her from wandering off.


    “What are my options?” Emma asked.


    “Stay in New York. Or convince them that Toronto expansion enhances the league rather than abandoning it.”


    “How do I do that?”


    “I’m working on it. But Emma, you should know – there are rumors that some people are actively trying to undermine your move.”


    “What kind of people?”


    “Competitors. Other women’s hockey organizations who see your sess as a threat.” <fnc898> Newest update provided by FindN0vel</fnc898>


    Emma closed her eyes, feeling exhausted before the day had really started. “So even when I try to build something positive, there are people working to tear it down.”


    “That’s how you know you’re seeding,” Lisa said with forced optimism. “You’re threatening the status quo.”


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