ew apartment. She glanced at her phone-over a dozen unread mess

nternal network via the backdoor she had established the night

as experiencing a critical struc

d his absolute genius, she had studied top-tier biochemistry in college. When she first applied to Sterling Industries, Dr. Lin-a se

ho slept her way to the top. Instead of defending her professional capabilities, Julian used the gossip as an excuse

ny, she was just Julian'

years were all based on the foundational formulas Chloe had quietly corrected and guided from home.

an's empire. If she was going to tear him down and take hal

e pushed past the soft, pastel clothes Julian

by Alexander McQueen. She paired it with a blood-red silk

etic red lip. A sharp, defined eyeliner t

as no longer Julian Sterling's obed

lobby was buzzing with the energy of a thousand ambitious people. She st

A loud, buzzing error

ook what the c

Development, stood there with a smug grin. He was one of the loudest voices

d. "The art galleries are all up

She turned her cold gaze to the security desk. "

er eyes wide with uncertainty. But the name 'Mrs. Sterling' still carried weight

aving Ethan scowling in her wake. She pressed th

ere blaring, a shrill, incessant pulse. The

nn shouted, having followed her up. "Why a

ular bonds are degrading under thermal stress, sir. We'v

ling glass whiteboard that dominated the center of the lab. It was cover

d up a bl

rew a huge 'X' through th

han sputtered, rushing toward her. "That's pr

rker against the glass, the sharp crack silencing

, her voice cutting throug

ation, a long, elegant string of symbols and numbers. It was a macromolecular

ack. His eyes widened, and a slow, dawn

l ring... it stabilizes the entire structure. It's... it's perfect." H

, the red, flashing 'UNSTABLE' warning tur

arms c

absolute. Every single person

oe? How did you know that? That's a founda

a tray. She turned to face them, her red

authority, "because I am the one who wrote the orig

nt ashen. He looked l

r of the floor. Toward the large, empty corner office with

to Ethan. "I want it cleared out and m

of stunned silence in her wake. She poured herself a black coffee and s