"You''re heading back to Ratcliff Global tomorrow. No need toe to ckOak anymore."


    Sofia blinked,pletely caught off guard.


    Sebastian was really handing over The Vault''s core system to Reese?


    "I''ve got an interview to get to. I''m leaving." Sebastian didn''t spare her another nce. He just turned and strode toward the elevator, his movements sharp, focused. As he pressed the call button, he nced at his watch. There was this restless energy in his eyes, like he couldn''t wait a second longer.


    After all these years looking for her, he''d finally found her.


    Sofia stared at his back as he walked away, her heart burning with frustration. She''d asked Sebastian toe to ckOak because her phone had picked up a warning-the firewall at The Vault had been breached. When L told her it was Reese behind it, she''d hoped Sebastian would show up, scold Reese, maybe even start an argument. That would have been perfect.


    But then Annie showed up out of nowhere and ruined everything. And just when Sofia thought Sebastian was going to me her for the mess, he''d just brushed it all aside and told her to go back to Ratcliff Global.


    Wasn''t that basically erasing her from the de project altogether?


    She''d fought so hard for this spot. But even if she was angry and upset, Sofia didn''t have the guts to argue with Sebastian. She just had to swallow it all down and pretend she was fine.


    She managed a tight, forced smile at Reese. "Ms. Meyer, since Mr. Ratcliff said so, I''ll leave things in your hands."


    "Sorry for the trouble. I should''ve kept a closer eye on the team chat."


    She spun around and left. As she walked past Annie, she shot her a re sharp enough to cut ss.


    If that annoying girl hadn''t meddled, none of this would''ve happened.


    Just wait. One day, Annie would learn-sticking your nose where it doesn''t belong alwayses back to bite you.


    Inside the elevator, Sofia''s mind wouldn''t stop whirling. Something just didn''t add up.


    Brady had told her earlier that Sebastian only had a joint interview scheduled today, with the China head of a big international Alpany, Big X. It wasn''t even a one-on-one; Sebastian never bothered with things like that. But not only did he agree to go, he''d left in such a hurry.


    Did he know this executive personally? Was she really that important?


    Sofia pulled out her phone and searched up the head of Big X''s China division. All she found was that she was super aplished, but everything else was basically a nk.


    Meanwhile, L had a bad feeling the second Sebastian sent Sofia packing. She''d spent so much time cozying up to Sofia and finally convinced her to let her join this


    project. Even if she''d never get her


    name on anything, it was still a


    chance to learn.


    But now Sofia was leaving, and L had no reason to stick around either. She let out a quiet, defeated sigh.


    "Reese, you keep working. I''m heading downstairs to get something to eat. I''lle back upter to pack up my stuff and Sofia''s too."


    Theb door clicked shut behind her. Reese just kept her eyes on theputer screen, pretending not to hear a thing.


    About half an hourter, someone knocked at the door. Reese got up to answer it.


    Annie was standing there, hugging a food container that looked almost bigger than her head.


    "Auntie, my dad asked me to bring you dinner. It''s already past eight-you must be starving."


    Reese smiled and took the food. "Did you have dinner?"


    Annie nodded. "Dad and I already did. This is just for you."


    She peeked inside theb. "Can Ie in and keep youpany?"


    Reese looked down the hallway-the lights were dim, and almost everyone else


    had gone home. Only a few people were left workingte.


    Annie must be a little scared, she realized. After a moment, Reese nodded. "Sure,e on in."


    She moved some papers off her


    workstation and opened the


    container. There was a good mix of dishes, both meat and veggies.


    Reese couldn''t help but smile.


    Matthew was more thoughtful than she''d given him credit for.


    After she finished eating, Annie quickly gathered up the dishes. "I''ll get out of your way, Auntie."


    Reese was about to ask Annie to stay a little longer when Annie suddenly stopped and frowned. "Huh? Why won''t the door open?"