Chapter 464
Chapter 464:
“Look right here,” Carter said, tapping a specific node on the schematic. “If we run the CP-X9 through parallel computing on this circuit, we can drop the latency down to zero point zero one seconds p>
Isolde’s eyes lit up with genuine excitement. “If we do that, I can increase the attitude adjustment frequency by three times. The module will stabilize instantly p>
They fell into a rapid, intense rhythm of technical exchange, completely absorbed in the math.
Harper sat on a plush leather sofa a few feet away. She pulled out her phone and snapped a quick photo of Isolde and Carter from behind, then posted it to her Instagram Story with the caption: Boss mode on. ISSDC San Francisco.
Thirty thousand feet below, in the cabin of Grayson’s chartered G550.
W𝖾 uр𝗱𝖺t𝘦 𝗲𝘃еr𝗒 𝗐𝘦𝖾𝗸 oո
Grayson sat in a wide leather seat, an iPad in his left hand, mindlessly scrolling through social media when Harper’s story appeared on his screen.
He froze.
In the photo, Isolde and Carter were leaning close together over the table. Because of the camera angle, Carter’s arm appeared to be draped over the back of Isolde’s chair. It looked unmistakably intimate.
Grayson’s thumb pressed down on the screen until the display rippled ominously under the pressure.
Belle leaned over from the seat beside him. She saw the photo.
“Oh my,” Belle said softly. “Going public so soon? I guess the rumors were true after all p>
Grayson clicked the screen off and tossed the iPad onto the empty seat across from him.
“It is just a photograph,” Grayson said, his voice dangerously flat.
“Gray, how long are you going to lie to yourself?” Belle sighed. “Carter Sterling is a famous playboy. Isolde is an experienced woman. She is exactly his type p>
Grayson felt a wave of nausea hit his stomach. He remembered the way Isolde used to look at him. He remembered her skin under his hands. The thought of her smiling like that for another man burned worse than the boiling water.
Daron shouted from the front row of the cabin.
“When we land in San Francisco, I am going to send Carter a gift basket!” Daron laughed. “Maybe he will let me borrow that woman for a night when he is done with her p>
Grayson grabbed the heavy glass tumbler of water from his tray table and hurled it forward with his left hand.
“Shut up!” Grayson bellowed.
The glass smashed violently against the back of Daron’s leather seat. Water exploded everywhere, soaking the back of Daron’s head and collar.
The entire cabin went dead silent. Daron shrank down in his seat.
Grayson sat back heavily, his chest heaving. The sudden throwing motion had torn the healing tissue on his back. Fresh blood seeped through the thick white bandages, staining his dress shirt.
Arthur rushed forward with a medical kit. “Sir, you need to calm down,” Arthur urged, his voice tight with alarm. “Your heart rate is spiking. The wounds are bleeding p>
Grayson closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the headrest. The image of Isolde walking up the stairs to Carter’s plane was burned into his retinas.