Chapter 56 A Strain On The Balance

• The luxurious office of Naomi McCloud was bathed in the soft, golden light of late afternoon. The room exuded opulence with its designer furniture, gleaming marble floors, and expensive art pieces. Naomi sat behind her polished mahogany desk, her eyes glued to the latest catalog of high-end jewelry she had received from her recent trip abroad. The room was filled with an air of indulgence, a stark contrast to the financial issues simmering just beneath the surface of the McCloud Company’s operations.
• Mildred McCloud, her daughter, walked into the room, her demeanor serious and her brow furrowed with concern. Naomi looked up from her catalog, a bright smile on her face that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
• “Hello, Mildred,” Naomi said, her voice warm but with an undertone of impatience. “What brings you to my office today? I’m just going through these stunning pieces I bought on my trip.”