Dr. Sue Stone, an Environmental Psychologist, found the Krestel-Avery Holding headquarters—the Obsidian Tower—to be a monument to expensive, unearned privilege. She was hired to consult on sustainability, but spent her first week fielding the annoying arrogance of junior executives who saw her competence as eccentricity, oblivious to a life defined by scarcity. Their inherited wealth made them stubborn about her success. Today, she met Adrian Krestel-Avery, the CEO. A legend because he had clawed his way from poverty, his ruthless drive often judged as vulgar by the old money cohort.

Ushered into his office, Sue was met by the CEO standing before the panoramic window. The moment Adrian turned and their eyes met, the professional façade of both dissolved. Adrian’s gaze, usually calculating and cold, recognized the deep-seated exhaustion and constant readiness in her posture. He noticed the subtly roughened hands of someone who had earned their position through relentless, hard work.

Sue, in turn, saw past the expensive suit and polished image. She saw the constant, silent battle scarried by someone who knew the true cost of power.

It was the unspoken recognition of fingernails digging into wood—the shared understanding that their success was not inherited, but relentlessly fought for. Adrian knew she wouldn't be stubborn about the superficialities of wealth because, like him, she knew the grind. In that single, silent look, Adrian Krestel-Avery finally felt understood.