The other was older, in her thirties, and worked as a senior HR executive at a corporation.


    From their photos, they both looked friendly and easygoing.


    More importantly, both of theirpanies were current corporate partners of UME. It created anotheryer of connection.


    Evangeline had no issue with having roommates, and the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like an excellent solution. At the very least, Soren was obsessed with appearances; he would never stoop to harassing her in a home she shared with other people.


    Having made up her mind, she scheduled a time to view the apartment.


    Back at the agency, the agent saw Evangeline''s confirmation message and finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Sir, that should do it. Once a client gets to this stage, it''s pretty much a done deal," he said to Finn, his face stiff from the forced smile. "But... sir, those two women have their own houses in Serenity City. And based on their jobs, they must be earning six figures. Why would they agree to share an apartment?"


    "If they back out, the whole thing falls apart, doesn''t it?"


    Finn had given him the profiles and told him to pick two of his recent clients. Forcing women who owned property to pretend to be renters seemed unnecessarily cruel.


    Finn nced up at him, his eyes cool. "As long as you keep your mouth shut, nothing will fall apart. In other words, if this secret gets out, it will be because you leaked it."


    The agent''s face fell. "No, sir, I..."


    "Watch your mouth. And don''t call me ''sir.'' The hypocrisy is nauseating," Finn said, standing up. He tossed a set of keys onto the desk. "I''ll send you a listter. Buy everything on it and have it delivered to the apartment."


    Without another word, Finn turned and strolled out of the agency.


    The agent wanted to cry. He wished he could go back half an hour and p himself for running his mouth. He hadpletely misjudged the situation. Not only had he lost a major client in Finn, but now he was being ckmailed into doing manualbor. His life was a tragedy.


    ***


    Evangeline spent the rest of the day driving to remote suburbs and surrounding towns, managing tond two or three major contracts by the time she returned to Serenity City. It wasn''t a wasted trip, but it had been far more difficult than she''d imagined.


    Not long after, Theo and the sales manager also returned to UME, looking just as exhausted. Their experiences had been much the same.


    "We know we''re doing something that benefits everyone, bringing them closer to modern technology, but they just don''t see it that way. They fundamentally don''t believe that technology can change their lives."


    "Honestly, it''s because Al technology isn''t mainstream yet. People are afraid to be the first to try it."


    They vented their frustrations for a few minutes before finally dispersing, too tired to continue.


    Theo saw Evangeline still lost in thought and said gently, "Don''t dwell on it anymore. You should go home and get some rest."


    After spending so much time in the office, a full day on the road had left them all feeling sore and sunburned.


    Evangeline nodded. There was no point in racking her brain any further tonight. She gathered her things and prepared to go home.


    But as she stepped out of the office building, she saw Giselle Whitmore marching towards her, her eyes red and her expression furious.