149 Calcted Disys and Open Scorn
149 Calcted Disys and Open Scorn
“The torque ratio seems off on the second turn,” ra observed quietly to Julian<b>. </b>“And
the calibration on the serong system needs adjustment. There’s a three–second
Julian checked his watch.
We should test the second prototype. I’d like to drive this
one with ra, if there are no objections.”
“Impressive handling,” Lucasmented as they approached the observation area.
And that could prove very useful information indeed.
Jorge led his team with practiced confidence, asionally ncing back at ra with barely concealed curiosity. His resemnce to Theodore was unmistakable now that she knew to look for it.
The supervisor smiled warmly at the couple. “Of course, sir. Ms. Dubois, if you’ll follow me to get suited up.”
“The second prototype performed well,” Julian announced to the group. “Though we’ve identified several areas for improvement in the AI response system.”
As their car pulled away from InnovaTech, Xavier turned to Jorge near the building
entrance.
Damien barely acknowledged the statement. “We’ll review the data and reconvene next week. In the meantime, I’d like to invite everyone to dinner to celebrate today’s sessful tests.”
Behind them, Beck began discussing logistics for the dinner, smoothly filling the ufortable silence.
Large monitors flickered to life around the observation area, disying multiple angles of the track. The prototype–a glossy ck sports car with InnovaTech’s logo emzoned on its side–waited at the starting line.
Jorge approached ra and Julian. “Impressive machine, isn’t it? Our engineers have been working overtime.”
She nodded, maintaining herposure despite the tension crackling in the air.
149 Calcted Disys and Open Scorn
Outside in the parking garage, Julian’s rigid posture finally rxed. “I’m <b>sorry </b><b>if </b><b>I </b>overstepped. I just couldn’t stomach the thought of sitting through dinner watching that disy.”
“Much better torque on this model,” she noted, checking the dashboard readings<b>. </b><b>“</b><b>But </b>the Al response time still needs work.”
The bluntness of his refusal created an awkward silence. Damien’s expression hardened, unused to such direct rejection.
“I know my job, Mr. Robinson.”
“Exactly what I observed,” ra stated, speaking directly to Lucas rather than Vivienne or Damien.
“Perhaps another time,” Lucas offered diplomatically.
The engine roared to life as Vivienne took the driver’s seat, Damien sliding in beside her. Together, they would test the vehicle that represented months of coborative work between YodaVision and InnovaTech.
“I’m fine right here, thank you,” ra replied with calm dignity.
As they walked toward the exit, ra could feel Damien’s eyes on her back. She didn’t turn around. There was nothing left to see there.
“None at all,” Lucas replied before Damien could speak.
Vivienne beamed. “The responsiveness is remarkable. Though I noticed some hesitation on the curves.”
“We can move to the technical area if you’d prefer,” Lucas offered quietly, appearing beside her. His expression held genuine concern.
She disappointed him with a professional nod. “She’s always been skilled behind the wheel.”
“Dr. Dubois is quite the driver,” Jorge remarked, watching ra’s face for a reaction.
Vivienne stayed close to Damien’s side, her crimson dress a stark contrast to the clinical environment. Herughter echoed through the facility at something Damien whispered in her ear.
149 Calcted Disys and Open Scorn
ra watched as Vivienne was escorted to the preparation area, staff members
fluttering around her like attendants to royalty. Not once did the woman acknowledge ra’s presence–a deliberate choice that spoke volumes.
The test continued for twenty minutes, Vivienne putting the vehicle through increasinglyplex maneuvers. Each sessful turn was met with Damien’s approving smile, captured perfectly by strategically ced cameras.
“She might as well be,” ra replied softly, surprised by how little pain the admission caused. The time for hurt had passed; now there was only rity.
Every moment was broadcast across the monitors for all to see–including ra. “They’re treating her like she’s his wife,” Julian observed, voice tight with disgust.
“No,” Jorge replied thoughtfully. “He certainly doesn’t.”
Earlier, he might have dismissed it as typical business rivalry. Now, it seemed he hadn’t been imagining things. Julian Croft’s animosity toward Damien Thorne was real, palpable, and growing more obvious by the day.
The invitation was clearly directed at Jorge’s team and the InnovaTech executives. Julian’s response was immediate and cutting.
Julian’s smile was cold. “I wouldn’t count on it.” He turned to ra. “Ready to go?”
The group made their way to the test track, tension hanging thick in the air. ra walked beside Julian, maintaining a professional demeanor despite Vivienne’s calcted snub. The test track stretched before them–a sleek, winding path designed to push vehicles to their limits.
Julian studied her with surprised admiration. “You can tell that just by watching?”
“So have ours,” Julian replied curtly.
“That Julian Croft really doesn’t like Damien Thorne or anyone associated with him, does he?” Xavier observed.
“She’s putting on quite a show,” Julian muttered under his breath.
“Don’t apologize,” ra replied, genuine appreciation in her voice. “It was refreshing to have someone speak so inly.”
149 Calcted Disys and Open Scor
Jorge watched the departing vehicle with newfound understanding. For weeks, he’d noticed Julian’s protective stance toward ra, the way he positioned himself between her and Damien during meetings, the cold res directed at Vivienne.
Damien nodded. “Excellent. Vivienne will test drive the first prototype<i>.” </i>
The track supervisor approached, clipboard in hand. “We’re ready whenever you are, Mr. Thorne.”
The test concluded with Vivienne bringing the vehicle to a perfect stop. Apuse erupted from Jorge’s team as the couple emerged from the car, Damien’s hand once again finding the small of Vivienne’s back.
Jorge overheard her assessment, his eyebrows rising. “You know your engines, Dr.
Vance.”
ra kept her expression neutral. “Focus on the demonstration. That’s why we’re
here.”
Damien joined Vivienne at the vehicle. The cameras caught their interaction in high definition: his hand lingering at her waist, her smile filled with intimate promise, his eyes fixed on her with open admiration. Their voices weren’t audible, but their bodynguage told the story clearly.
Julian handled the vehicle with precision, following ra’s quiet suggestions about testing particr features. They worked in seamless coordination, professional and focused.
On screen, Vivienne elerated around the first curve, handling the powerful vehicle with expert precision. Damien leaned close, pointing at something on the dashboard. Their easy familiarity was unmistakable.
“We’ll pass,” he said, not bothering to hide his disdain. “ra and I have othermitments.”
“I memorized the specs,” she replied simply. “That engine should be delivering 479 pound–feet of torque with a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds. It’s underperforming.”
Fifteen minutester, ra sat beside Julian in the second prototype–a silver model with slightly different specifications. As they pulled onto the track, she felt a sudden sense of liberation. Here, surrounded by technology and focused on work, she was in her element.
149 Calcted Disys and Open Scorn
When theypleted their test and returned to the observation area, Damien was deep in conversation with Jorge and Beck. Vivienne stood slightly apart, her expression souring as she watched ra and Julian approach.
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