In the front row sat Ned, Victoria, and Alex.
"Please welcome the Global Executive General Manager of Lijing Hotel — Ms. Sophie Davies."
Thunderous applause erupted.
Sophie took a deep breath and walked onto the stage. The lights were a bit blinding, so she squinted slightly. After scanning the audience, she took another deep breath, folded her speech notes, and placed them in the corner of the podium. She lifted her head, and a gentle smile appeared on her lips.
"What I want to talk about today is not hotel management." The hall fell silent.
"I want to talk about: single parenthood, the workplace, and choices." Her voice was not loud, but clear.
The topic rippled through the audience like a stone dropped into a lake.
"Many people ask me how I got to where I am today. My answer is simple: forge ahead courageously!"
She glanced at Ned, then at Victoria, and continued, "I was raised by a single mother. She left me forever when I was eighteen.
