th smudged makeup, walking into their space. I could see them writing me off before I even spoke. It s

my appearance. His cold assessing eyes pin

Nerissa Sullivan, my lead data strategist. She runs our European

ter title on the spot, giving me authority I didn'

're short on time, Blackwood. We've seen

he front, plugged in my laptop, and sh

voice clear and firm in the big room. It didn't even sound lik

a dismissive sound. "Our

lide-a comparison of energy use. "They started using the core Zenith tech two years ago

o a line on

inavian data shows this cost happens once. After that"-I clicked to the last slide, a line plunging down-"y

Harrington leaned forward, his

pplier details.

n another file. My heart pounded

uggle, Vance spoke

. Harrington. Ms. Sullivan flagged the supplier p

thly, confidently, making it

yellow highlights. Vance must have had his assist

hen looked from Vance to me. A

red of the big

st need to know what comes after. The da

short, pleased sound

ith a slap. "The board meets Monday. I want her on th

wer, better than any drink, stronger than any tears, went t

ardly recognizing the woman h

o, I'd believed

to keep m

gh to be

ugh to

trusted my judgment enough to chan

the wrong person to me

," I said, my v

"Ms. Sullivan, we'll talk

ous and respectful. I followed him out. We didn't speak in the hall. The sil

lass walls. He closed the door and tu

underneath, I saw the man from the elevator. The one who'd held the door

id finally, "

ld imagine from him. A small

For the ex

his arms. "Harrington's yes means the Zenith merger gets announced next Fr

de the windows

publ

g mine. "People will notice. The press. The industry." Another

He didn't say it.

er. This wasn't just a promotion. It wa

asked, the question coming

. He turned and looked out

ll shouldn't

e settl

ing overlooked wit

pa

not the s

file sharp. "And because I'm tired o