Chapter 69
Chapter 69:
“Professor?” Ursula’s voice was faint. “This… this is the healer? The ‘Phoenix’ you have been looking for since the accident p>
“She is the reason I am standing here, Ursula,” Yinn said, walking over to the table. She didn’t sit. Instead, she bowed. It was a deep, formal bow, shocking coming from a woman of her stature. “Ms. Vance. I owe you a life debt p>
Aurora gestured to the chair opposite her. “Sit, Catherine. The tea is getting cold. And we have business to discuss p>
Victor King, the CEO of Pulse Interactive, sat next to Aurora. He was usually a man of iron nerves, but he was sweating through his dress shirt. He fumbled with the glossy portfolio of Pulse Interactive, his fingers trembling. He had expected a grueling negotiation. He had not expected a reunion that felt like a scene from a mythological epic.
“Right,” Victor stammered. “The… uh, the proposal, Professor. Regarding the AI integration for medical diagnostics p>
Yinn didn’t even look at the documents. She kept her gaze fixed on Aurora. “Is this your company, Aurora p>
“I am the majority shareholder,” Aurora said, taking a sip of her tea. “And I vouch for the technology. The code is clean. The intent is pure p>
“Then it is done,” Yinn said. She reached into her pocket, pulled out a fountain pen, and looked at Victor. “Where do I sign p>
Ursula stepped forward, her instincts kicking in. “Professor, surely we should review the equity clause? The valuation p>
“Ursula,” Yinn said sharply. “If Ms. Vance wanted my money, she could have asked for half my fortune last week when she pulled me back from the brink of death. Instead, she disappeared into the shadows. If she says this technology is sound, then it is sound p>
Yinn signed the document with a flourish. The scratch of the pen against the paper was the only sound in the room.
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Victor looked like he might faint. The deal that Sterling Thorne had been chasing for months, the deal that every tech giant in the city would kill for, had just been signed in less than five minutes because Aurora Vance existed.
Aurora picked up the document. She blew softly on the wet ink.
“Thank you for your trust, Catherine,” she said.
“It is not trust,” Yinn replied softly. “It is knowledge. I know what your hands can do.” She leaned forward. “But tell me… have you picked up the needles again? There are rumors. The Kensington family… the Matriarch is fading p>
Aurora’s hand paused on the handle of her teacup. A shadow passed over her eyes.
“I am retired from that life, Catherine,” Aurora said, her voice dropping a few degrees. “Fate has a way of knocking, but I don’t always answer p>
Yinn nodded, looking disappointed but understanding. She stood up. “I must go. I have a flight to D.C. But Ursula will stay in touch regarding the integration p>
Ursula nodded frantically, her previous arrogance completely replaced by a terrified respect. “Yes. Absolutely. Anything you need, Ms. Vance p>
When the Professor and her assistant left, the silence returned.
Victor sat there, staring at the contract, then at Aurora.
“How?” Victor whispered. “Just… how p>
Aurora stood up, smoothing the front of her skirt. She picked up her bag.