t of bed, the faint predawn glow just beginning to brush the horizon.

a quick shower, she dressed neatly and headed to the TV st

made her way back to her desk-on

h bouquet of crimson roses, thei

ora," Lana sa

d, her eyes flicking to th

und them, Lana tilted her chin and sm

re already making quite the statement this morning. Her eagerness to flaunt her new backer drew only cool, dismissive glances from the

uninterested in joining the spectacle.

't compare to your reward." Her tone dripped with mock admiration as she raised her voice for everyone to hea

ly speaking loud enough for the office to catch every word. "Mr. Rocke

d between Aurora's bro

Mr. Saunders confirmed the contract first thing this

sponse. Then, Marc's voice rang out across the office. "Auro

, her express

rms with a smug li

.

into Marc's car, the cityscape blurring pas

ption desk and announced with practiced ease,

he and Marc be meeting Grayson here? Wasn't Gra

er gaze lifting to the gleaming AF Global Tech logo mounted high on

junior year, when she and Grayson used to whisper plans between stacks of textbooks-dream

veted position at the Odonrith Prosecutor's Offic

cry. Faced with the collapse of her dreams and the sting

Aurora and said, "Our CEO is ready to meet yo

ind his assistant, Aurora carried

, his voice low and fluent in a foreign tongue-the very la

undings. The décor was understated yet refined-clean lines, cool h

light as he moved, exuding effortless authority. When his gaze fina

, crossing the room to take a seat opposite Marc

we're more than happy to wait." A sponsorship worth fifty

as he reached for the coffee pot. "Still taking it with milk, no

he had already picked up, the small, familiar gesture stirring

ence, jumped in eagerly. "Anything

ingled with the faint grassy scent of Gra

, intoxicating. That subtle scent had once been her wea

liberate calm. Aurora accepted it with a polite nod, mur

y faded as they t

eports during prime time for the next three nights, covering the recent Topspeed Lightning electric vehicle fire cases. Emp

hough his tone carrie

ontrunners. Meeting his gaze through the faint gleam of his gold-rimmed glasses, she replied carefully, "Mr. Rockefeller, there's still no official ve

locked on hers. "A two-year sponsorship in exchange for highl

hree days away, but discovering Grayson was the CEO left her stunned.

eat. "Mr. Rockefeller, the financial channel

rners of Grayson's mouth. "So,