Chapter 30
Chapter 30:
“That would increase the molecular weight,” he muttered. “But — God. It would stabilize the bond.” He turned to look at her as though she had just done something impossible. “How did you know that p>
“Dr. Zhang’s unpublished notes from 2019,” June said, capping the marker. “And intuition p>
Miles watched her from across the room. He noted the tight lines around her mouth, the way she leaned almost imperceptibly against the table for support.
“Run the simulation,” he told the team.
Ten minutes later, the screen flashed green. STABILITY: 98 p>
The lab erupted. People were cheering, reaching across workstations to exchange high-fives. Leo looked as though he wanted to embrace her but could not quite summon the nerve.
Miles crossed the room to her side.
“You should be in bed,” he said, his tone caught between scolding and concern.
“I solved your problem,” June said. “Now solve mine p>
Rе𝗮𝗱 𝖿𝗿𝗲𝖾 nо𝘃els 𝘰n
“Which is p>
“I need a job. A real one. With a title that makes people uncomfortable p>
Miles smiled. “Done. As of this moment, you are the Senior Lead Researcher of Project Phoenix. And I’m doubling your salary p>
June’s phone buzzed.
Bank of America: Your account ending in 4490 has been frozen per court order.
Chase: Your credit card has been declined.
Cole was moving quickly. He had shut down every account connected to the Compton name.
June read both messages. She felt nothing.
“Keep the salary,” she said to Miles. “But I need an advance on the signing bonus. I’m buying a new apartment — cash p>
Miles raised an eyebrow. “Cash p>
“Cole froze my cards,” June said, pocketing the phone. “He thinks he can starve me out p>
She looked at the green stability numbers still glowing on the screen — her solution, her work, her mind.
“He forgot one thing,” June said quietly. “I don’t need his money to survive. I never did p>
Wednesday night.
Miles insisted on driving her to the temporary apartment Sloane had arranged in the West Village.
It was a quiet ride. The city lights blurred past the window in long streaks of gold and red.
“You know,” Miles said, breaking the silence, “I was in Zhang’s lab too. The class before yours p>
June turned her head. “You were the one who went to Doctors Without Borders? The ‘Saint of Sudan p>
Miles laughed — a warm, unhurried sound. “I don’t know about saint. But yes. When I saw your handwriting on the whiteboard today, I recognized the style. Zhang taught us to think in three-dimensional structures p>
“He taught us to see what wasn’t there,” June said.
“Exactly p>
Miles pulled up to the curb in front of the pre-war building.
“June,” he said, cutting the engine. “About the Summit next week — Cole will be there. Compton Medical is a major sponsor p>
“I know p>
“Are you ready for that? Seeing him in person p>
June touched the place on her side where the scar was still knitting itself together.
“I’m not going there to see him, Miles. I’m going there to bury him p>
Miles looked at her with an expression caught somewhere between admiration and quiet concern. He stepped out and came around to open her door.