Chapter 277
Sterling turned to his desk and pressed a button on the intercom. “Bring me the partnership agreement. The standard Tier 1 contract.”
Isolde’s heart hammered against her ribs. “Just like that?”
“I trust math,” Sterling said, settling on the edge of his desk. “Math doesn’t lie. Unlike people. Unlike marketing departments.”
His assistant — a terrified-looking woman — ran in with a folder. Sterling signed the bottom of the page without reading it. “We’ll advance you two million dollars for the prototype phase. If the prototype works, the contract is worth fifty million.”
Isolde stared at the signature.
Two million dollars.
L𝗮𝘁e𝗌𝘁 𝘤h𝖺р𝗍е𝘳𝗌 𝘰ո 𝘨a𝗅𝗇𝘰𝗏𝗲𝗅s.со𝗆
It was enough to pay the hospital. Combined with the funds she had initiated from her secure offshore accounts, it would be enough to save the house and secure her mother’s care. It was enough to tell Grayson to go to hell.
“One condition,” Sterling said, holding the pen out to her.
Isolde froze. “What?”
“I want to meet your lead engineer,” Sterling said. “This ‘fan of Sophia.’ The person who drew this.”
Isolde took the pen and smiled — a slow, mysterious smile. “She prefers to stay in the lab. She values her privacy. But I’ll pass on your compliments.”
Sterling narrowed his eyes. He suspected — she could see the gears turning in his head. But he didn’t push. He respected genius too much to spook it.
“Fine,” Sterling said. “Keep your secrets. Just give me the engine.”
Isolde signed the contract. Her signature was bold and dark.
“Let’s celebrate,” Sterling said, checking the time. “Dinner?”
Isolde checked her phone. It was 5:00 PM. “I have to pick up my daughter.”
Sterling looked surprised. “You have a kid? You look—”
“Like a mom?” Isolde raised an eyebrow. “Yes. And she’s waiting.”
Sterling smiled, impressed again. “Priorities. I like that.”
He glanced out the window. The rain had finally come — a deluge of grey water streaming down the glass. “It’s pouring. Let my driver take you. No cabs in this weather.”
“I’ll be fine,” Isolde said.
“Accept the ride,” Sterling insisted. “Consider it a partner perk. I don’t want my lead architect getting pneumonia.”
Isolde nodded. “Thank you, Sterling.”
“Call me Stone,” he said. “We’re going to change the world, Isolde.”
The rain was coming down in sheets outside the Orbital Systems building.
A sleek black Volvo SUV pulled up to the curb — not flashy like a Ferrari or a Bentley, but understated and expensive in a way only people who knew cars would recognize.
Sterling Stone walked out with Isolde, holding a large black umbrella entirely over her head while his own shoulder got soaked.
“You don’t have to do this,” Isolde said, raising her voice over the rain.
“My mother raised me right,” Sterling said. He opened the car door for her. “Get in.”
Across the street, stuck in the gridlock, a bright red Ferrari idled.
.