Dominic nced at Reese, his expression unreadable. "Now that you''ve secured the investment, you could stay."


    "But listen, if you ever walk out on the institute again, and I don''t care about whatever reason you might have, I won''t give you another shot."


    "Thank you, Professor." Reese''s eyes stung as she dipped her head in gratitude. "You have my word. I''m not leaving again."


    She left his office and headed back to theb, arms full of paperwork. As she stepped into the hallway, she nearly collided with a group clustered around Sofia.


    "Sofia justnded Iron Financial''s backing like it was nothing," L gushed, practically bouncing with excitement.


    "And Mr. Ratcliff treats you so well. Word is, he''s throwing a party for us tonight to celebrate. Where do you even find guys like that? My luck is just tragic," she sighed.


    Sofia didn''t say a word. She just shot Reese a look, her lips curving into a sly, knowing smile.


    "Reese," Sofia called out, "we''re all going out tonight. Want to join us?"


    Reese looked up. "Sorry, I''ve got things to do."


    L rolled her eyes. "Sofia''s inviting you out of kindness. You really don''t have to act so above it all."


    "Just so you know, Mr. Ratcliff will be there. It''s not every day you get to meet him. Wouldn''t you want to help your husband make a connection?"


    Reese met Sofia''s gaze, her eyes cold. "Oh? Mr. Ratcliff ising?"


    "Thinking twice now?" L smirked, looping her arm through Sofia''s. "Toote. You already said no."


    Sofia gave Reese a sweet smile. "If you change your mind, Sebastian and I would love to see you."


    Reese smiled back, slow and pointed. "No thanks. I''d rather not risk seeing anything... unpleasant."


    "You-" L started, bristling with irritation, but Sofia stopped her with a gentle hand.


    "Forget it, L. If she doesn''t want to go, don''t push her. Let''s go."


    Reese watched them disappear down the hallway, her face unreadable and her eyes frosty.


    That''s when her phone rang. As soon as she saw Millie''s name, her whole demeanor softened.


    Millie had been her roommate back in high school. She''s one of the few friends she''d kept in touch with all these years.


    "Reese! Where are you?" Millie sounded like she was about to burst with excitement. "You know that smart management system you helped me build? A techpany just bought it. The contract''s signed! We have to celebrate tonight. I''ll pick the ce!"


    Reese hung up, took a steadying breath, and finished organizing her things in theb. After ast look around, she switched off the lights and headed out.


    Downstairs, a deep red Porsche 911 was already waiting at the curb. Millie rolled down the window, grinning and waving.


    A genuine smile broke across Reese''s face as she climbed into the passenger seat.


    The moment didn''t go unnoticed. A group leaving the building caught sight of them.


    "Wow, a Porsche?" someone whispered. "Reese really is living the good life. Must be nice getting picked up in a luxury car every day."


    "Did you hear? Iron Financial didn''t just invest in Sofia''s Mindwave; they funded Reese''s project too."


    "Are you serious?"


    "Absolutely. The announcement went out this morning."


    L scoffed. "I bet Reese has something going on with Mr. Wiles from Iron


    Financial. How else could she convince him to back our institute?"


    "Maybe Mr. Wiles knows her husband," someone else said, shifting awkwardly. "Actually, does anyone even know who Reese''s husband is?"


    Sofia froze for half a second.


    Mr. Wiles invested in Reese''s project? What did she promise him behind the scenes?


    "Hey, Sofia, does Mr. Ratcliff know Reese''s husband?" L asked.


    Sofia looked down, her voice t. "They''ve met a few times. Reese and her husband don''t get along. I''m not really close with her either. I don''t think that car is hers though."


    L watched the Porsche pull away. "Not getting along? And that''s not her car?”


    "She''s not... cheating, is she?" L said it quietly, but just loud enough for everyone to hear. "I heard she used some tricks to marry into money in the first ce."


    The whispers started immediately, eyes flickering with judgment and scorn, the gossip thick enough to choke on.


    No one noticed the sleek ck Bentley that cruised up and stopped right in front of Sofia.