Chapter 582
Chapter 582:
Belle’s smile evaporated. A hot flush of indignation crawled up her neck. “I do not think you understand the hierarchy here,” she said, her voice dropping into a cold, corporate register. “InnoTech is a joint sponsor of this facility alongside the Lancaster Group. I need to speak with Professor Nelson regarding an urgent project update. Connect me to his office for confirmation immediately p>
The guard did not blink. His hand moved fractionally closer to his weapon. “Turn your vehicle around immediately. This is your final warning before I initiate detainment protocols p>
Belle shrank back against the leather seat, her heart hammering. A sickening wave of humiliation washed over her. She was being treated like a common trespasser.
Just as she reached for the gear shift to reverse, a sleek black Maybach glided up the driveway and pulled to a stop directly behind her Porsche.
Belle looked in her rearview mirror, and relief flooded her chest. She shoved the car into park, threw open the door, and ran toward the Maybach, her high heels clicking frantically against the asphalt. She tapped repeatedly on the tinted rear window.
The glass lowered with a soft hum. Grayson Lancaster sat in the back seat, his face carved from granite.
“What are you doing here, Belle?” he asked, his voice entirely without warmth.
Belle pointed a trembling finger at the security guard. “They will not let me in,” she said, her lower lip trembling with practiced precision. “Gray, please get me inside. I know she is in there. I need to speak with Professor Nelson before she poisons him against our project p>
𝗦𝗵𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺о𝘶𝘳 f𝖺𝘃о𝘳𝘪𝗍𝘦𝘴 𝖿𝘳𝗼𝗆
Grayson stared at her. A muscle ticked in his jaw.
He had flown here specifically because he knew Isolde was coming—because he knew what this place meant to her, and who she truly was within its walls. He had also known that Belle, insecure and threatened by the real Sophia’s presence, would inevitably follow. But then he thought of the two hundred million dollars that had materialized in InnoTech’s accounts that morning. He needed to keep Belle close until Silas finished tracing the origin of those funds.
Grayson gave a curt nod. He reached into his suit jacket, produced a solid black platinum card, and handed it to his driver, who passed it to the guard.
The guard swiped the card. The terminal beeped green.
“Apologies for the delay, Mr. Lancaster,” the guard said, his posture relaxing at once. “Sponsor access granted for the public and administrative sectors p>
Belle shot a triumphant, venomous glare at the guard, then opened the rear door of the Maybach and slid into the seat beside Grayson.
The heavy gates swung open. The Maybach rolled through.
“The security here is absolutely ridiculous,” Belle scoffed, straightening her blazer. “They actually threatened me p>
Grayson kept his gaze on the sprawling complex beyond the window. “This facility houses classified national defense schematics,” he said coldly. “You cannot simply buy your way through the front door p>
He pressed his thumb against his ring finger, his mind turning. He, a billionaire sponsor, had been granted access only to the public sectors. Isolde, of course, had maximum clearance. She was Sophia. The distance between them had never felt so vast.