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Chapter 861:
Across the street, parked in the shadow of a tall building, Cole sat in the back of his armored SUV watching a live feed from a hidden camera inside the hall. He watched June pick up the pen and sign the transfer documents.
The crushing pressure in his chest released all at once. He closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the leather headrest.
A bitter, broken smile touched the corner of his mouth.
“Congratulations, my queen,” Cole whispered into the dark.
June pressed the tip of the heavy Montblanc pen onto the thick parchment and signed her name with sharp, aggressive strokes. As she lifted the pen, the ink dried — officially binding the Apex Bio patents back to her name.
She turned from the signing table and walked toward the grand reception foyer.
The moment she stepped onto the marble floor, the Wall Street titans who had ignored her an hour ago swarmed forward like sharks that had caught a scent. The Head of Healthcare Investment at Goldman Sachs pushed to the front, flashing a brilliant, practiced smile and pressing a gold-embossed business card into her hand.
“Ms. Erickson, a truly masterful display of leverage today. If Apex Bio needs capital to scale production, I can authorize a one-billion-dollar unsecured line of credit by end of day. No collateral required p>
Before June could respond, a senior partner from Sequoia Capital elbowed him aside. “June, let’s skip the debt traps. We want to lead your Series B. You name the valuation — we just want a seat at the table p>
June looked at the circle of men pressing in around her. A wave of pure, somatic disgust moved through her stomach. Their hypocrisy was almost elegant in its shamelessness.
Her face remained a perfect, unreadable mask.
𝖳𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗇 𝗈𝗇
She took the business cards and held them loosely in her fingers. “I appreciate the enthusiasm, gentlemen,” she said, her voice smooth, professional, and entirely devoid of warmth. “Apex Bio will review all strategic partnerships in Q3. My office will be in touch if your terms align with our vision p>
She gave them nothing.
Vera stood a few feet away, her hands clenched in silent triumph. Watching these men compete for June’s attention made her chest swell with vindictive pride.
Easton held his position half a step behind June, using his frame as a quiet physical barrier, keeping the crowd from pressing too close. He watched her manage the room with deep, steady admiration.
A younger hedge fund manager pushed forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Ms. Erickson — off the record. Who is backing Valkyrie? Which family are you fronting for p>
June’s eyes snapped to him. The temperature in the foyer dropped noticeably.
She tilted her head. “In this city,” she said, her voice dropping to a quiet, lethal register, “asking questions about things that hide in the dark usually gets you dragged into it. Are you sure you want the answer p>
The manager’s face went pale. He muttered an apology and retreated into the crowd. No one else asked.
After thirty minutes of suffocating fake smiles, June felt a sharp ache building behind her eyes. She gave a curt nod to the room. “Excuse me p>