Chapter 128:


    The man walked directly up to Grayson and pped a thick blue folder onto the polished mahogany table.


    “You’ve been served,” the man said. Then he turned and left.


    The room went dead silent.


    Grayson stared at the folder. Thebel read: Carson v. Lancaster.


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    “Get out,” Grayson hissed, though the man was already gone.


    One of the board members — a woman named Eleanor — leaned forward. “Is that… divorce papers?”


    Grayson snatched the folder and tore it open. He scanned the first page.


    Petitioner requests sole legal and physical custody of Euphemia Lancaster.


    Petitioner waives all rights to spousal support.


    Petitioner waives all rights to Lancaster Estate assets.


    Petitioner demands the immediate return of personal property: One Emerald Brooch.


    Grayson went still. He had seen the initial filing weeks ago, but this was different. This was a re-filing — an amendment. After securing a ten-billion-dor contract, she still wanted nothing. Not a single share. Not a dor of his fortune. It was not a legal strategy. It was a deration of contempt. She was telling the world, in in legalnguage, that his entire empire was worthless to her.


    “She’s bluffing,” Daron McKnight whispered at his side. “This is a public performance. She’s trying to look noble for the media — probably because she’s got a backer. That And Roth.”


    A vein pulsed in Grayson’s temple. “Is there someone else?” He pulled out his phone and dialed Isolde.


    The number you have reached is no longer in service.


    She had changed her number.


    Grayson hurled his phone against the wall. It shattered.


    “Meeting adjourned!” he screamed.


    The lobby of Orbital Systems was buzzing the next morning.


    Isolde walked in wearing a crisp white suit — no ck today. And met her at the elevator.


    “Ready?”


    “Born ready,” Isolde said.


    They rode up to the top floor, where the legal team was already waiting. The contracty open on the table.


    Chief Systems Architect & Executive Partner. Sry: $1 Million Base. Signing Bonus: 5% of the Phoenix-X7 contract’s profit, paid over the project’s lifetime. Equity: 10% stake in Orbital Systems, vesting over four years.


    Isolde braced the thick stack of pages with her left arm, the pressure sending a dull ache up to her shoulder. With her right hand, she picked up the pen and signed: Isolde Carson.


    “Wee to the team, Sophia,” And said, smiling.


    “The world already knows I’m Sophia,” Isolde said, her voice steady. “Now we need to show them what Sophia can do. What’s the media n for my first official week?”


    She spent the morning setting up her office — a corner suite, all ss, overlooking the city. It wasrger than Grayson’s office.


    At lunch, she stepped into the breakroom, where two junior engineers were huddled over a phone, giggling softly.


    “Did you see it?” one whispered. “The audacity.”


    “See what?” Isolde asked, stepping up behind them.


    Both girls startled. “Ms. Carson! Nothing — just Instagram.”


    “Show me.”


    The girl hesitated, then held up the phone.


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