cial data, her mind a whirlwind of calculations and strategies from a future no one else could see. Harrison's attempts to

s perfecting-was locked on Chloe's personal server. Harrison, consumed with his own fury, was no help. Brianna's carefully constructed image as a competent, inval

evious life. The controlled, precise movements helped to quiet the noise in her head, the burn in her muscles a welcome, grounding pain. S

her hands. "But there's a Ms. Hayes here to see you. She insists.

ung her legs off the machine, her movements fluid and unhurried. "It'

stine white sundress, a picture of innocent fragility. Her eyes were already

e. "Chloe," she began, her voice catching. "I know you're angry with Harr

ching a rerun of a show she'd seen a hundred times. The same script, the

oser. "He's not himself. And... the V-C merger proposal, he really need

entence. Her voice, when she spoke, was quiet but carried the sha

wn off script. "I...

Then you should be speaking to his executive assistant. This is a p

by the perpetually placid Chloe Sinclair. She tried a different tactic, a hint of smugness entering her to

er and walked slowly towards her, closing the distance between them until they were only inches a

s ear. "And you, you're just the stray dog he keeps around, the one who has to steal other peo

red, leaving behind raw, naked panic. To have her deepest insecurity, her most

d. She turned to the silent, watching staff. "Maya, this woman is t

sputtered, her voice

rity guards had already appeared at the door. They moved

u'll please c

aff and other patrons in the waiting area. The whispers followed her all the way to the elevator. Standing on the sidewalk in he