ine

was a mastercl

wo steps ahead. I knew my product, my market, an

ondescending smirk, tried to corner me with a techni

damental flaws in his hypothetical scenario and

He looked at me with a new, grudging respect. I didn't gloat. I simply smiled, a cool,

es alight with appreciation. He wasn't j

eighteen, was helping her. His hands were trembling with nerves as he served the coffee,

is department head, a stern Beta,

with a single

ike he was about to cry. I took a napk

st be more careful next time." I gave him a small, reassuring smile.

oom, I saw my own employees relax, their expressions warming. This was m

, Julian Preston? He just shattered the high score on the beta test f

behind several blockbuster indie games and a series of highly sought-after

sip of my water. "Tell him if he wants to meet SU, he needs to win the nat

n I was ruthless. "Consider t

my legal counsel, approa

e Industries has started a hostile acquisition

eemed to drop by ten deg

's move?

," Marcus replied. "This has all the hallmarks of his mothe

when I was processing, planning, preparing for war. Eleanor. Of course. The old Luna never app

void of emotion. "Contact our backup suppliers in G

o had rejoined us. "

fear and reverence in the darkest corners of the web. The legen

ing to a whisper. "Focus on Eleanor's personal accounts and discretionary fund

s and Finn. They knew this side of me. The side that didn'

ion back into one of professional calm

ad conceded on two major points, giving Aetherwind a lar

not just investing in your technology, Ms. Carey,"

tood alone in my office, loo

ey and decaying power. It looked like a dinosaur, majestic

n the desk. A new m

the Grand Hyatt hotel park

t was leaning against his car, smiling as he

omed

box was unmist

r. The place he always bo

anniversary gif

ing face, at her triumphant one. I

ertainty of a predator

-