." He was feeling better than he had in weeks, the si

ld the AI, waving a dismissive hand. "Run a self-c

too preoccupied to notice the subtle digital strain. "I am looking fo

x Gala was the biggest tech event of the year, and Li

yone to hear what real innovation sounds like." His expectations wer

s he passed a break room, he overheard two junior engineers

Millers," one said. "Serves them righ

orne has her locked up in the R&D basement, you know. Poor thing. T

d. He knew that. But the mention of the mute girl, th

m. The two engineers froze,

ay?" Mark's voice wa

ammered, "Mr. Thorne,

of the man's shirt, slamming him against the wall

terrified man's. "An asset of this company. You will not sp

" the man

e engineer, who slumped to the floor, gasping for

on the phone said, urgent and strained.

r, still trembling on the floor, shouted af

you know! They say her

cative seed of information planted in the f