i P

. Axel was already seated at the end of the long maho

ng his pen against

e need to see those structural stre

ing as the projector whirred to life. A high-resolution 3D render of

eometry took over. "For the upcoming All-Star presentation, I've eliminated t

"It looks sleek on a screen, Pittman. But what happens during a hard check along the boards

ugh the MIT dynamic tear-simulation algorithm. The multidirectional tensile strength exceeds the current league-stand

ing at the raw algorithmic data, clearly unprepared for an entr

ading across his face. "Brilliant work, Cori. That's the exact data

oor. When she saw the green approval checkmarks beside my nam

gh of relief, the heavy fro

ed the room, bypassing the vice pr

ced smoothly, holding up a sleek tablet. "The executive su

ed deference. "Of course, Duncan. I'll have the presentat

f authority. "The boss specifically requested that the lead concept desig

The vice presidents exc

he's going up there? The last VP who got called to the top floor came d

glee replacing her envy. She clear

cold knot. A junior designer di

asked, my voice

ting his head toward the open do

ed my heavy portfolio, and walked past my colle

te executive lift that required a biometric scan to

was a threat to his pristine public image? Was he bringing me up here to quietly term

raight at the brushed-steel doors. "I don't repo

r and deliver the memos. But if you want some free advice? Don't

aling a private foyer floored in dark, veined

." He stepped back into the ele

raised my knuckles and knocke

nt

, flanked by floor-to-ceiling glass. Behind an

ng only a tailored black shirt with t

enter of his desk as I walked across the plush rug. "I have

o on the slate surface, s

He didn't even glance down. His ice

three frame blocked out the light from the window behind hi

. He projected the cold, untouchable aura of a corporate tyrant, but standing this close, I could see the faint

confusion. Why on earth would the rut

process the tho

register, as smooth and icy as a frozen lake, betraying absolute

fying authority in his tone made me second-guess everything.