Chapter 489
Chapter 489:
“I was calculating the oxygen recycling rate for your biosphere model,” Effie explained, tapping the paper with her pencil. “I think if you lower the intake parameter by zero point five percent, the algae scrubbers will run twenty percent more efficiently p>
Isolde leaned closer to the screen, her eyes moving quickly across the complex math on the napkin. Her breath caught. Effie’s calculations were flawless.
She laughed — a sound of pure, unguarded joy. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.
“Effie, you are an absolute genius,” Isolde said, her voice thick with emotion. “When I get home tomorrow, we will input your parameters into the simulator together p>
The dressing room door clicked open. Cyrus Sterling walked in, leaning on his cane. He paused, taking in the screen with a warm smile.
“Is that the little prodigy?” he asked. “It seems the genetic code in your family is terrifyingly dominant p>
Isolde smiled and ended the call.
“Yes,” she said, looking at the darkened screen. “She is my greatest pride p>
Cyrus tapped his cane against the floor. “There is a massive victory banquet beginning in the main ballroom in twenty minutes. Every investor in Silicon Valley wants to shake your hand. You are the star of the night p>
𝗥е𝗰𝘰𝘮𝗺e𝗻𝘥 𝘵𝗈 y𝗈𝘶𝗋 𝘧r𝗂eո𝘥𝘴
Isolde picked up her leather tote bag and slung it over her shoulder.
“I am skipping the banquet,” she said firmly. “I have had enough of networking. I just want to go home to my daughter p>
Cyrus nodded slowly.
“A wise choice,” he agreed. “When you have already won the war, there is no need to drink with the scavengers. My private jet is fueled and waiting on the tarmac. Take it p>
Isolde thanked him and walked out through the rear exit of the resort.
The storm had passed completely. The night air was freezing, and the ground lay beneath a thick, pristine blanket of white snow. Isolde followed the shoveled path toward the VIP driveway.
A dark figure was standing under the glow of a streetlamp.
Grayson.
He was not wearing a coat. Snow fell softly around him, accumulating on his dark hair and the shoulders of his suit jacket. He looked as though he had been standing there in the freezing cold for a very long time.
As Isolde approached, he took a stiff step forward.
“Isolde.” His voice was raw, stripped of all its usual arrogance.
Isolde stopped. She did not look at his face. She kept her eyes on the black Rolls-Royce pulling smoothly to the curb.
“Congratulations,” Grayson whispered. His breath clouded in the freezing air. “And… I am sorry p>
Isolde said nothing.
“I didn’t know you were Sophia,” he continued, his voice fracturing. “I didn’t know you sacrificed your entire career, your entire identity, just to stay in that house with me. I was so blind. I want to make it right. I want to compensate you p>
Isolde finally turned her head and looked at him. Her eyes were as cold and unforgiving as the ice beneath their feet.
“Grayson, do you even hear yourself?” she asked quietly.
He swallowed hard. “I am apologizing. I want to fix this p>