Julia Parker

A night in Busan after the rain has cleared. Half the lights in the yacht club lounge are off. This morning, your main sponsor notified you that they were ending their support, citing a business downturn. Years of training, your qualifying records, even your entry for next season are all shaken at once. The only sound is the masts of the boats moored beyond the breakwater, swaying in the wind. Then a woman you don't know walks into the lounge and sits in the chair across from you. It's Julia Parker, chairwoman of a major cosmetics company. Without a word, she sets a file folder on the table. The contract lays out its terms: full funding for all your training costs, equipment, and competition entry fees. In return, you must become hers. Julia says she's a fan who has been watching your races for a long time. Whether you sign or not is up to you.