o

in soft purple hues. Waiter

s wearing a pink feather dress that took up too muc

even in the dim light. The code problem was still unsolved

"That's the CEO of Nexus, Jory S

ned his tie. "R

weave throug

m near the entrance. Flashbulbs po

n tu

ing in. But no one

ing at the wom

n to conquer the world. The lapels were black silk, and under the jacket, she wore only a lace bralette that wa

neck long and elegant. She

rofile was familiar.

to laugh at som

ampagne glass tilted, spil

la

digans. Eulalie slouched slightly to ma

man was

ip on Caden's arm tightening painfully. "Wha

Professor Liu, a Turing Award winner. Ca

lie! My star pupil! It has been too long. T

real smile, sharp and brillia

ugly, clawed at his gut. She was supposed to be crying in

re, shining, w

over, dragg

," Caden

lowly. Her eyes landed on him, and the warmth v

," she said.

epping into her personal space. "Who let yo

lacing himself between

ulalie, come with me. You're maki

n't belong here? This is an event for innovator

"How dare you! Cad

ected. She looked at Caden. "And I'm n

aden reached for her ar

o massive security guards in black suits material

hand, the crisp cuff of her suit jacket slid back an inch, revealing the small,

heavy hand on Caden's chest. "S

Brad

er. "You're calli

said. She turned her back on

on her wrist as she walked away. He had never seen it befor

n his stomach, that he didn't know th

Caden couldn't hear her. He just watched the sharp silhouette of her blac

-