"What''s wrong?" Alexander noticed something was off with Elodie, his gaze lingering on her.


    Pulled from her daze, Elodie finally collected herself. She nced up at Alexander and handed over the file she''d been holding. "Is this real?"


    Even Alexander, usually unfazed, couldn''t help but be curious-what could possibly shake someone as steady as Elodie? He followed her gesture to the Nexus Analytics file. The moment he read it, his expression turned grave. He checked it once, twice, then a third time, uncertainty flickering in his eyes before he turned back to Elodie.


    "What''s Jarrod trying to pull?"


    He sounded genuinely stunned.


    Elodie''s face grew increasinglyplicated. "I have no idea."


    She frowned, tucking the file away after a long pause.


    Ever since they left Nexus Analytics and returned to VistaLink Technologies, Elodie had been lost in thought, her gaze fixed on the floor. Nexus Analytics had


    just dropped a bombshell, and she couldn''t wrap her mind around it.


    She''d barely set foot upstairs when her phone rang.


    Klein Whitaker.


    Though they had each other''s numbers, Elodie and Klein had rarely spoken directly. She nced at Alexander, then answered.


    Klein''s voice was upbeat and booming. "Elodie, got a minute?"


    Elodie sat down before replying, "Sure. What''s going on?"


    Klein chuckled, his tone yfully mysterious. "I''ve got some good news-


    something that could really give your career a boost."


    Elodie''s eyebrows arched slightly.


    Klein didn''t keep her in suspense for long. "There''s going to be a nationwide talent search. They''re looking to promote top-tier experts, so several organizations are joining forces to host an aerospace technologypetition. It kicks off in two weeks, and this isn''t your average contest-the stakes are high. In the end, only three people will be selected for the national research team. That means, if you stand out, you''ll get a direct shot at the next level of evaluation. If you make it through, you could be working on the sixth-generation aircraft project."


    A spot on the "national team"?


    Elodie was genuinely surprised. Only three would be chosen, earning a ticket to join the country''s leading scientific research group. That was leagues beyond themercial projects she''d been handling.


    But she already had a direct pass to the sixth-generation aircraft project-why did she need to join this?


    Klein seemed to anticipate her confusion. He said cheerfully, "Thispetition''s open to the whole country, and yes, you already have a spot on the sixth-gen project, and not just any spot-you''re a key team member.


    But you''re starting way ahead of the


    others. If you win this, with your U.N2 record, after the sixth-gen project wraps up, you could pick any department you want. Any research project, any team—your choice, for the next three years."


    Elodie really wasn''t like the others. For most top talents, this


    get considered for the sixty


    project—they''d be lucky to get


    through the door. But for Elodie? She could choose her own future.


    This talent drive was a big deal at the top; it was central to the country''s long-term science strategy. Klein, for his part, hoped to see Elodie step onto an even bigger stage and realize her full potential.


    Elodie was floored.


    Join any department or research program she wanted?


    The possibilities made her head spin.


    That''s practically...


    Klein sounded pleased with himself. "So? Not a bad favor, right?"


    He remembered thest time he''d owed her, over the Naylor situation-he''d had


    to ask her personally. Now, with this new initiative in motion, he wanted to let her know early, so she''d have time to prepare.