"Well, look who decided to show up-Reese Meyer finally returns."


    L caught Reese with a sideways nce, her voiceced with sarcasm. "You were so eager to cover for Sofia, but you couldn''t even make it through the morning beforending in the hospital. Do you have any idea how much you set us back?"


    Reese was caught off guard for a second, then it made sense. If L was in the R&D team, she must''ve passed all the background checks. de was a joint venture between ckOak and Ratcliff Global, so Ratcliff would definitely send someone over.


    She really didn''t feel like arguing. Reese turned to head down the hallway toward theb, but a soft voice stopped her.


    "Ms. Meyer."


    Reese turned and saw n at the end of the hall, Leslie standing beside him.


    "Didn''t expect to see you here, Ms. Meyer," Leslie said, stepping forward, only for n to subtly block her.


    "What''s this, n?" Leslie asked, hands up in a show of innocence, her tone light but firm. "I''m here on behalf of Big X to talk partnership, and ckOak won''t even let me in theb? That doesn''t exactly say ''wee''."


    Reese stepped up, giving Leslie a polite nod. "Sorry, Leslie,b ess is strictly controlled. n''s just following protocol."


    Leslie smiled, her eyes lingering on Reese for a moment. “I had no idea you worked at ckOak. You''re full of surprises."


    Reese felt something shift inside her. "Not as impressive as you. You''re already heading Big X''s division, and you''re barely older than me."


    She didn''t want to drag this out. "Sorry, I''ve got work to do."


    Inside theb, Matthew was frowning at his monitor, tapping his fingers absently on the desk.


    "What''s up?" Reese asked, walking over.


    Matthew nced up, something unreadable in his eyes before he looked away. He pointed at the screen. "Hit a snag. The Al''s anti-jamming algorithm for military e-warfare just isn''t stable."


    Reese leaned in, typing a fewmands. “Try adjusting the adaptive filter parameters. Like this."


    The graph on the screen smoothed almost instantly. Matthew''s eyes brightened, and for a second, he looked at Reese like she''d just hung the stars.


    ??.


    "You..." He hesitated, caught Reese''s curious look, and quickly turned away, coughing. "By the way, Big X is here to discuss a partnership! think we should go for it?


    Reese thought back to the car ident, how Leslie had shown up to help her, and


    now she was here at ckOak. It was all a little too convenient.


    de was ckOak''s top-secret project, which was government-level


    confidential. They couldn''t be too careful.


    “Big X is based in another country, and with how things are internationally right


    now, I think we need to keep our guard up."


    Matthew gave her a thoughtful look. "Got it."


    Reese nced at him, a little confused, but didn''t dwell on it. She had other things to worry about.


    Outside ckOak Center, Neal


    lounged in the back of a sleek ck Maybach an unfit cigarette between his tips. He watched the front entrance, his tone teasing


    "Come on, Sebastian, was this really necessary? We''re just here to pick up Leslie,


    but you had to take my car and park three blocks away."


    Sebastian paused, flipping through his files, his voice even. "Reese works here.


    Wouldn''t look good if she saw me."


    Neal let out augh, leaning back.


    "Since when do you care about her feelings? You and Sofia used to


    #taent your thing right in front others


    never saw you hiding then.


    He smirked. “Everyone knows Reese only married you for the Ratcliff name."


    Sebastian closed the file and looked up, expression unreadable. Neal fell silent.


    "Is that so awful?"


    It wasn''t clear if he was asking Neal or himself.


    Neal scratched his head, hesitating. "I mean... maybe a little."


    Sebastian didn''t answer. He opened the file again, but his eyes didn''t really see the words. That restless, uneasy feeling just wouldn''t go away.