At the meeting, Matthewid out a clear n for improving the tactical Al''s battlefield data collection and friend-or-foe recognition. Once he exined everything, the team finally knew which direction to take next.


    Afterwards, someone started a group chat and n suggested they all hang out to get to know each other better.


    They headed out to the front of ckOak Center, chatting as they walked. Sofia slowed down when she spotted a ck Bentley waiting by the curb.


    "Sofia, youing with us?" someone called out.


    She smiled, friendly but keeping her distance. "Can''t tonight, got something at home. Next time, though."


    "Isn''t that Mr. Ratcliff''s car?" someone whispered, curiosity in their voice.


    "Looks like the rumors are true. Mr. Ratcliff is so good to Ms. Meyer," another chimed in, just loud enough for Sofia to hear.


    Sofia just smiled, opened the car door, and climbed in.


    Neal, sitting in the passenger seat, handed her a bottle of water. "Not everyone


    gets invited to projects this top-secret. You''re seriously impressive."


    Sofia took the water and shot a nce at Sebastian, who was buried in his paperwork.


    "I only got the chance because Sebastian put in a good word for me. I wouldn''t even have been considered otherwise."


    "I saw Ms. Meyer at the seminar today," Neal said. "She''s good, too. Wrapped up the meeting notes perfectly."


    Neal snorted. "She''s okay, but let''s be real-didn''t she try to force you out of the research institute? She probably thought if you left, Dominic would finally notice her. Now she''s stuck doing admin work at ckOak."


    "At least Zach believed in you. And Sebastian helped you set up your own research team at Ratcliff Global. Guess things worked out in the end."


    Sofia nced at the still-silent Sebastian and just smiled, letting Neal''s words hang in the air.


    As evening fell and city lights blinked on, Reese turned down n''s offer to grab drinks somewhere else. She drove out of the parking garage, only to spot Matthew standing under a streemp, holding a sleepy little girl.


    "Need a ride?" Reese pulled up, rolling down her window.


    Matthew hesitated, about to say no, but the little girl perked up. “Yes, please! We live at Starlight Bay!"


    Reese unlocked the doors. "What a coincidence-I live there, too."


    With his daughter''s excitement overruling him, Matthew got in.


    "Thank you," the little girl said from the back seat, her voice soft and sweet as she buckled herself in. "My name''s Annie, and this is my dad, Matthew."


    Reese couldn''t help butugh. "Nice to meet you, Annie. I''m Reese. Your dad and I are going to be colleagues."


    Annie climbed onto Matthew''s arm and patted it, suddenly sounding like a little adult. "Thank you for helping my dad."


    They drove into Starlight Bay. By the time they pulled up, Annie had fallen asleep on Matthew''s shoulder. He thanked Reese quietly. "Sorry for the trouble."


    "No trouble at all. Annie''s adorable," Reese said, watching the two of them head off down the path before she turned and walked into the building.


    Upstairs, she noticed a few missed calls. As she unlocked her apartment, she dialed back.


    "Hey, Millie."


    "Reese, what''s going on with you and Sebastian? He came by today and looked ready to explode."


    Reese paused, halfway out of her coat. "Don''t worry. Just ignore him."


    So Sebastian was getting impatient about bringing her home. If he was in such a


    hurry, maybe it was time to put the divorce back on the table.


    She thought about the divorce papers she''d given him ages ago—still no


    response. It was pretty clear a peaceful split wasn''t going to happen.


    Standing by the window, watching the river of headlights flow below, she scrolled through her contacts and made a call.


    "Hey, George. It''s me. Any progress on that evidence I asked for?"