135 Important Matters and Hidden Meetings
135 Important Matters and Hidden Meetings
A knock at the door announced Mrs. Henderson’s arrival. After brief instructions,
Vivienne and I prepared to leave.
*Guess who I spotted at Silver Peak Resort? Your soon–to–be–ex and his girlfriend. With Coco. Want to join me for some afternoon skiing? Might do you good to get out.*
Julian looked skeptical but didn’t push. “If you say so.”
Zachary nodded. “Apparently he has some interest in our department’s research. I was surprised when his office called.”
Cora didn’t look convinced. Her eyes darted to Vivienne, who was applying the finishing touches to her makeup in the suite’s large mirror.
Cora’s expression softened slightly. “Is it about your new job?”
“I think we’ve got it,” I said, reviewing the final algorithm parameters. “The prediction model is running at 97% accuracy now.”
A few years ago, this sight would have crushed me. Now, I felt oddly detached.
I accepted it gratefully. “Thanks. I’m running on fumes at this point.”
I considered her question. “It’s a necessary step.”
“No, no. Just a dinner engagement that might run late.” He paused, then added, “With Damien Thorne, actually.”
I knelt to her level in the resort suite’s living room. “This is grown–up business,
sweetheart. Very important m
atters.”
Zachary adjusted his glasses with a smile. “Fair point. Actually, I was coming to let you know I won’t be available for tomorrow morning’s meeting.”
“Just checking a message.” I opened Chloe’s text.
As I started the engine, Vivienne placed her hand on mine. “Tonight is about securing our future,” she said, her eyes glittering with anticipation. “Our future together.”
Damien’s POV
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135 Important Matters and Hidden Meetings
“Relax, Damien,” Vivienne said, her breath forming clouds in the winter air. “Everything is falling into place exactly as we planned.”
Julian’s expression darkened. “Do you think he’s trying to interfere with your work here?”
Julian nodded approvingly. “Much better than this morning’s 93%.”
I opened the car door for her, my mind racing with the implications of tonight’s meeting. Vivienne was right about one thing–this dinner could change everything. But whether for better or worse remained to be seen.
Cora sighed dramatically. “Fine. But tomorrow we’re going to the chocolate factory, right?”
Vivienne squeezed my arm. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re doing what needs to
be done.”
“You should go home and rest,” Julian said, concern evident in his voice. “You’ve been here for twelve hours straight.”
I clicked on the attachment and stared at the images. Damien, dressed in his sleek black ski outfit, standing next to Vivienne in her designer red ensemble. Between them stood Cora, bundled up in a matching red jacket and looking thrilled. The perfect little family portrait.
“We won’t be too late,” I assured Mrs. Henderson.
The elevator doors opened to the lobby. “We should take my car,” I said, effectively changing the subject.
The office buzzed with activity as I focused on the screen in front of me. Numbers blurred together after hours of staring at code. We’d been working non–stop since the morning presentation, which had gone surprisingly well despite Professor Weber’s last–minute changes.
I watched their interaction with interest. Vivienne had a way with Cora that sometimes surprised me. Despite their lack of biological connection, they shared mannerisms and expressions that were eerily similar.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But I doubt it’s coincidence.”
Julian placed my phone down with more force than necessary. “You don’t have to
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136 Important Matters and Hidden Meetings
pretend it doesn’t bother you.”
“Want some coffee?” Julian rolled his chair over to my desk, offering a steaming mug.
I shook my head. “We need to finish this algorithm before tomorrow’s meeting”
“She’s getting used to disappointment,” I replied, feeling another pang of guilt.
“That’s not an answer,” she pressed.
“It doesn’t matter,” I said, turning back to my work. “Cora looks happy. That’s what
counts.”
After he left, Julian turned to me. “What do you think that’s about?”
My phone buzzed with a notification. I glanced down to see a message from Chloe with an attachment.
I handed him my phone. “Just Damien and Vivienne taking Cora skiing.”
Vivienne slipped her arm through mine as we walked toward the elevator. “That went
better than expected,” she murmured.
I felt a twinge of guilt. I had promised her dinner after skiing. “I know, and I’m sorry. How about tomorrow we do something special to make up for it?”
I considered this possibility. “Maybe. Or maybe he just sees a valuable investment opportunity.”
She gave me a knowing look. “About what we’re discussing with him.”
The room went silent. Julian shot me a concerned glance.
I maintained my composure, though internally my mind raced. First Beck Fairchild approaching me about Uncle Victor’s project, now Damien showing interest in our AI research?
I guided Vivienne toward the exit, keeping my expression neutral. “We’re being observed.”
“Absolutely,” I promised, ruffling her hair.
I nodded silently and pulled away from the resort, leaving Cora behind as we headed
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135 Importani Matters and Hidden Meetings.
toward our clandestine meeting with Zachary Miller–a mecting that would set irreversible events in motion.
“That’s… interesting timing,” Julian remarked, echoing my thoughts.
“But we were supposed to have dinner together,” she protested, crossing her arms. “You promised.”
Chloe replied immediately: *At least look at the photos. Know thy enemy and all that.*
We fell back into comfortable silence, the clicking of keyboards filling the space between us. After another hour, I leaned back and rubbed my eyes.
“Taking a break?” Julian asked hopefully.
I hesitated before responding. *Can’t. Swamped with work. Have fun though.*
Julian frowned. “You barely slept last night. This isn’t healthy, Elara.”
“Something wrong?” I asked.
Julian studied the photo, his jaw tightening. “They’re really flaunting it, aren’t they?”
Meanwhile at Silver Peak Resort…
“But why can’t I come with you?” Cora pouted, her lower lip trembling slightly as she looked up at me.
Vivienne pursed her lips but didn’t push further. As we walked through the resort’s grand entrance, I caught a glimpse of someone familiar in the distance. Chloe Grant, Elara’s best friend, was watching us from near the ski equipment rental desk.
“Mrs. Henderson will be here any minute to stay with you,” I said, checking my watch. “She’ll order whatever you want for dinner.”
“I’m not pretending,” I replied honestly. “I’m just… tired. Too tired to care about what Damien does anymore.”
As we descended in the elevator, Vivienne’s excitement became palpable. “Are you
nervous?” she asked.
“Coco, darling,” Vivienne said, turning toward her with a practiced smile. “This meeting is very important for me. You understand that, don’t you?”
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135 Important Matters and Hidden Meetings
“I see,” I said, keeping my voice neutral. “Business matters?”
Zachary looked between us, clearly sensing the tension. “I suppose it is. Anyway, I’ll let you two finish up. Don’t stay too late.”
I nodded, suddenly feeling even more exhausted than before. “Let’s finish this up. I need to go home and sleep.”
Elara’s POV
“Something like that,” Vivienne replied smoothly. “It could change everything”
Our concentration broke when Zachary, the head of our department, popped his head into our office. “Still here? You two need lives outside this building.”
“That’s precisely what I’m concerned about,” I muttered as we stepped outside into the cold evening air.
Vivienne followed my gaze and smirked. “Let her look. Soon she can tell Elara everything.”
“Either way, be careful,” Julian warned. “Zachary doesn’t know the full history between you two.”
“Bad news?” Julian asked, noticing my expression.
Julian chuckled. “Says the man who’s also still here at 7 PM.”
“About dinner with Zachary Miller? No.”
“Professor Weber will be pleased,” I said, sending him the updated files.
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