lles International Airport was quiet, smell

ate lounge, holding a clean, black-and-white pl

d to the throat, shielding her from the

-twenty, the gla

y against her ribs. Her vision b

g director of Apex's ven

she had shared dreams of building an ethical AI empire. The boy whose heart she had brutally

owed by two aides carry

dow, his amber eyes completely devoid of the warmth that had

e small waiting area and

ation. Only a flat, lethal indifference, as if

ional composure. "Mr. Mills. I am Finley Wright, re

didn't

Wait f

voice echoed from behind

ned. Her h

caught up to Brady, effortlessly slipping her arm through his

e Mar

usin. Charlotte's

king onto Finley. A theatrical gasp esc

tighter to Brady's arm. "Brady, look! It's my cousin Finley! What on ea

an affectionate smirk. "Your cousin apparently decided tha

o Finley, the contempt in them

d, stepping closer. "I assumed someone who married for ten-figure bank accounts

anded with b

emain straight. "Stellar Labs takes the Apex partnership very seriously,

toward the exit. "Then fulfill

Finley... you look so terribly tired. Being on your feet all day must be exhausting. Don't worry, Brady has been

trated Jaison's world; Aubrie had targeted Brady. The two sisters had systematically divided th

t, tossed her hair, and

the trunk of the sleek black lab-issued SUV. As she closed the t

g inches from her ear, his voice

calculating. Still playing the stoic, wounded martyr while hunting for your next sponsor. But you

her palms through her leather gloves. She turned her head, lo

e foundation showcase tomorrow night, Mr. Mills," she said ev

reaking his indifferent mask. Without another

's door, climbed behind the w

y by the hum of the wipers and Aubrie's performative whispers in the back seat, intentiona