Dominic''s eyes softened as Reese spoke. The disappointment and me faded, reced by a deep, heavy sigh.


    "This was your choice," he said quietly. "You gave up a master''s at MIT, left the research institute, just for someone like that. Do you regret it?"


    Reese''s eyes went red in an instant.


    Back then, marrying Sebastian was partly about having a child, partly because Mr. Ratcliff promised to invest in her uncle''spany. And most of all, she''d received nearly two million from the Ratcliff family aspensation.


    She''d wired that money overseas to Zach.


    Now, whether it was Zach or her son Robbie, all she got from them was coldness and contempt.


    Dominic saw the pain on her face. Even if he still felt let down, he just couldn''t bring himself to be harsh anymore.


    "All right, that''s enough. Focus on your work at ckOak. When this project''s done, I''ll be waiting for you back at the institute."


    "Okay, Professor."


    Those words eased some of the tension in Reese''s chest. She finally knew that in Dominic''s mind, her leaving the institute was finally in the past.


    She packed up her things and headed out.


    The elevator doors slid open. She paused when she saw the tall figure inside but stepped in anyway, pressing the button for the parking garage.


    "Tara''s pregnant," Zach suddenly said, breaking the silence.


    Reese nodded. "Congrats."


    She''d already guessed as much after seeing them at the hospital''s OB-GYN.


    "Her moods have been all over the cetely. You''ve done this before. Maybe you could check in on her sometime."


    Zach stared at the smooth back of Reese''s neck, then gave a sharp, mocking grin.


    "Do you ever regret breaking up with me for Sebastian?" he asked. "You''re on your second kid now, and he''s still showing off other women in public. He even embarrassed you for her. How did I never realize you were this patient?"


    A tight, suffocating feeling wound through Reese''s chest. She said nothing. As soon as the doors opened, she walked out quickly and made straight for her car.


    She gripped the steering wheel so hard her knuckles turned white. Only when the lights outside blurred did she finally let the tears fall.


    The next morning, Reese walked into the office and spotted several sales team members hurrying out.


    "What''s going on?" she asked as she clocked in at the front desk.


    "They''re running out to sign contracts," the receptionist said with a grin she couldn''t hide. "It''s weird. Companies that said they''d never work with us suddenly reached out."


    "Oh? Sounds like today''s our lucky day," Reese said, smiling back.


    So word had gotten out about the drama atst night''s event. Even if no one mentioned Sofia''s giarism directly, everyone seemed to be choosing ckOak.


    "Well, look who it is! Our superstar," n called, handing her a thick stack of paperwork. He looked genuinely pleased.


    "Perfect timing. Here''s everything for Horizon Logistics. They''re interested in using our dispatch system for drone deliveries, but there are still a few technical questions. Their rep''s in the meeting room now. Seal the deal for us."


    "On it." Reese grabbed the files and walked into the meeting room. She greeted Cooper from Horizon Logistics, sat down next to him, and opened herptop. Half an hourter-


    "Mr. Cooper, do you have any other questions about our route scheduling?" Reese asked.


    "Looks good to me." Cooper rested a hand on his round belly, drumming the table with the other. "Didn''t think you''d be this impressive, Ms. Meyer. You''re even better than the rumors say, so young and already running the show."


    "Rumors?" Reese frowned. Cooper hadn''t stopped staring at her since she walked in, and it made her skin crawl.


    "Yeah, you know the stuff about how you slept your way to the top. That''s all over the inte," he said, reaching for her hand.


    Reese pulled back and stood up. “Mr. Cooper, please show some respect.”


    "Respect?" Cooper sneered. "Do you want this contract or not? I heard ckOak lost a bunch of partnerstely. Mr. Ratcliff sent me here to give you onest shot."


    This was Sebastian''s handiwork?


    Reese''s face turned cold.


    "We don''t need favors from you or anyone else."


    Just then the door opened and n strode in, moving to stand between them.


    "Take a message back to whoever sent you, Cooper. Whatever his ns are, Reese isn''t someone he can mess with. Please leave. ckOak has no interest in working with people like you."


    Realizing he''d lost, Cooper straightened his suit and left the room with a scowl.


    "Fine. This isn''t over."