Chapter 81. Plan List
After Mr. Frederick finished handing over the sheet of paper, Maria remained seated, eyes fixed on the list he had written.
She was carefully scanning the items he had asked her to work on, trying to absorb everything. Her mind was spinning with questions, with plans, and a growing resolve.
Just then, Mr. Frederick stood up. The sound of his movement made Maria look up immediately. She instinctively understood he was ready to leave.
Maria and Laura both jumped to their feet at once.
"I will be leaving now," Mr. Frederick said calmly, giving them both a small smile. "But make sure everything I asked for on that list is handled and completed within the next two weeks. And please, don’t hesitate to contact me whenever you get any piece of information, no matter how small. If anything seems unclear or you run into any difficulty, just call the number I wrote at the bottom of the page."
He spoke with the calm assurance of someone used to solving complex problems, then turned and walked away from them, his footsteps fading gently behind him.
Maria stood frozen for a few seconds, still gripping the paper, before turning to Laura with a wide smile breaking across her face. "Thanks so much, Laura," she said warmly. "I wouldn’t have met him without your help. I really appreciate everything you’ve done."
Laura smiled back, waving off the gratitude. "Come on, Maria. It’s no big deal. You would’ve done the same—or even more—for me if things were reversed."
Maria nodded in agreement, her heart still racing. The meeting with Mr. Frederick had opened a door she never thought she’d reach, and though it was just the beginning, she could feel something shifting inside her. A new sense of purpose. Of fire.