on, but the professionalism she wore was too solid to crack. Ethan didn't mention their anniversary exchange ag

the Integration Suite, and Marcus, with his predat

ut schedule from the conference room. Elara, seated at the head of the table, noticed Ethan falter slightly while explaining a complex data mig

cked in befor

ietary Hydra Protocol developed in-house at Concordia. It's a closed-loop system, making the external threat as

the presentation with renewed confide

t midnight. He was standing by the panoramic window, his silhouett

he said, turning, his

rcus. He needed

life raft. Hayes is brilliant, but he's under immense press

d in close proximity at the previou

. He moved closer, forcing her to hold his gaze. "You saved him with

looking for the weakn

cal to your merger. If he fails, you look weak. I was protecting y

ergy for sentimentality, Elara. Not with him. Hayes has a high opinion of himself. If he thinks he ha

n loudly; he threatene

e is an employee, nothing more. And my

ing a small celebration party next Friday to officially mark the closure of the merger

ffectionand then disappeared into his own wing of the apartment, leaving Elara chilled. T