Chapter 72
Logan was practically salivating over the possibilities.
For years, the Brown family had poured money into the AI sector, massive investments, aggressive acquisitions, partnerships with tech firms across multiple Pack territories. But despite all that capital, they lacked one crucial thing: strong core technology.
Their development had stagnated. Plateaued. While other companies soared, the Browns were stuck treading water.
Meanwhile, Cole Corporation with CUAP as their foundation was raking in over a hundred million annually. And from what Logan understood, they barely had to lift a finger. The technology was just that good.
The envy ate at him constantly.
If they could just get their hands on CUAP’s core technology, if they could integrate it into their existing projects, the Brown family company would skyrocket. A market value of several billion wouldn’t just be possible, it would be inevitable.
He and Lauren had been deep in discussion about exactly this when the front door opened.
“Dad, Aunt Lauren p>
Sienna walked in, looking effortlessly elegant as always. Her designer bag hung perfectly from her shoulder, her hair fell in perfect waves, and she carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew she was exceptional.
Lauren’s face lit up immediately. “Sienna! You’re back p>
The affection and pride in her voice was unmistakable. This was her niece, the one who mattered, the one worth celebrating.
Sienna set her bag down and settled gracefully onto the sofa. “What are you two talking about p>
“Still discussing CUAP,” Logan said, leaning forward eagerly. “Since you can’t get into Cole Corporation now, what’s your next move? Has Dante mentioned anything p>
Sienna took a delicate sip of the water that had been waiting for her on the coffee table. “He said he’d help me contact Professor Nolan p>
Logan’s eyebrows shot up. “Nolan? The Nolan p>
Professor Nolan was legendary in the domestic AI field, one of the top experts, deeply connected with government projects, notoriously selective about who he worked with. His schedule was a closely guarded secret, and only a privileged few ever got the chance to meet him face-to-face.
Johnny Gray was one of Nolan’s handful of direct disciples. And CUAP, the technology Logan was so desperate to access was rumored to have been developed by Nolan himself.
If the route through Johnny was closed off, then going straight to Nolan was the next logical step.
“That’s excellent,” Logan said, smiling broadly. But then a flicker of concern crossed his face. “Although… Johnny is Nolan’s student. If he’s said anything negative about you to his mentor, could that cause problems p>
Lauren waved a dismissive hand. “It won’t be an issue, brother. You don’t know Professor Nolan like I do. He values talent above everything else, reputation, connections, personal feelings, none of that matters to him. Only skill p>
She looked at Sienna with undisguised pride. “And Sienna is a genius. Once she gets the chance to meet Nolan and demonstrate her expertise in AI, he’ll recognize her brilliance immediately. He might even take her on as one of his direct disciples p>
Logan nodded enthusiastically. “That’s true. You’re absolutely right p>
He turned back to Sienna. “Has Dante mentioned when you might meet Professor Nolan p>
Sienna set her glass down, her expression calm and unbothered. “Next week. At the national tech exhibition. Apparently, Nolan will be attending p>
Both Logan and Lauren perked up immediately.
They knew about the tech exhibition, of course, it was one of the most prestigious events in the industry. Government officials, top researchers, CEOs of major tech corporations, all gathered in one place.
But the Brown family company didn’t have nearly enough status in the field to secure an invitation. They’d tried for years and been rejected every time.
However, with Dante’s support p>
Logan and Lauren both looked at Sienna expectantly.
She met their gazes evenly. “Dante gave me two tickets. But only two p>
There was a beat of silence as Logan and Lauren processed this.
Two tickets. Which meant only one of them could accompany Sienna.
But neither seemed bothered by the limitation.
“It doesn’t matter who goes with you,” Logan said quickly. “As long as you’re there, that’s what counts p>
“Exactly,” Lauren agreed, her smile widening. “You’re the one who needs to make an impression on Professor Nolan. Whoever accompanies you is irrelevant p>
She reached over and patted Sienna’s hand. “This is your opportunity, darling. Once Nolan sees what you’re capable of, everything will fall into place. Cole Corporation, CUAP, all of it p>
Sienna nodded serenely, as if her success was already a foregone conclusion.
Logan leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing ahead. “Once you’re connected with Nolan, once you have access to that level of expertise and those resources… the possibilities are endless p>
“And Dante is giving you this opportunity,” Lauren added, her voice warm with approval. “That man truly understands your value. Unlike some people p>
The unspoken reference to Elodie hung in the air.
“He does,” Sienna agreed softly. “He’s been very supportive p>
Lauren’s smile turned almost predatory. “As he should be. You’re brilliant, accomplished, beautiful, everything a man like him needs in a partner. It’s only natural that he’d choose you p>
Logan nodded along. “And once you’re officially together, once you’re the Luna of the Bellini Pack, the opportunities for our family will multiply exponentially p>
“The project he already gave us is just the beginning,” Lauren said, her eyes gleaming. “Imagine what else will come once Sienna is truly established in that world p>
They talked for another hour, strategizing, planning, envisioning the glorious future that awaited them once Sienna secured her place.
Not once did any of them express concern for Elodie.
____________
Elodie’s POV
Dante was always busy. Always traveling, always in meetings, always somewhere that wasn’t here.
For the next couple of days, he was away on another business trip, and Liora was home alone with just Sabina and the staff.
I knew she was bored. Lonely. So when my phone rang and her name popped up on the screen, I wasn’t surprised.
“Mommy, when are you coming home p>
Her voice was small, hopeful.
The past two days at Cole had been hectic, back-to-back meetings, deadlines, code reviews. I’d barely had time to think about anything else. The pain from that encounter at the jewelry store had dulled into something more manageable. Buried, but not gone.
“Is Daddy there?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
“No, he’s still on his trip p>
Something in my chest loosened.
If Dante wasn’t there, I could go. I could spend time with my daughter without feeling like I was suffocating. Without smelling Sienna’s perfume or seeing evidence of her existence everywhere I looked.
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll come over after work p>
“Really?!” Her excitement was instant, pure. “Thank you, Mommy! I love you p>
“Love you too, baby p>
When I got to the estate that evening, Liora was waiting by the door. The second she saw me, she launched herself into my arms.
“You came! You really came p>
I held her tight, breathing in the scent of her shampoo, and for a moment, everything felt okay.
She dragged me inside, talking a mile a minute about school, some drama with her friends, a project she was working on, a new game she’d discovered and was completely obsessed with.
“You have to play it with me, Mommy! Please p>
How could I say no to that face?
After she finished her homework, I checked it twice, like I always did. We settled onto the couch with her tablet. She showed me how the game worked, walking me through the tutorial with the kind of patience only a six-year-old who’s passionate about something can have.
We played for over an hour. Team matches where we had to work together, laughing when we failed spectacularly and celebrating when we actually won.
Liora was glowing. Happy in a way I hadn’t seen in weeks.
“This is so fun!” she squealed, bouncing on the couch. “We should play every night p>
Every night.
Like this could be normal. Like I could just come here whenever she wanted and everything would be fine.
But I didn’t say that. I just smiled and ran my fingers through her hair. “We’ll see, baby p>
That night, she didn’t want to sleep alone.
“Can you stay with me, Mommy? Please p>
I looked toward the master bedroom down the hall, the room I’d shared with Dante for seven years, the room that probably still smelled like Sienna now and I felt my stomach turn.
“Of course I’ll stay with you,” I said.
Liora’s face lit up, and she grabbed my hand, pulling me upstairs to her room.
We lay in her bed together, her small body curled against mine, and she talked until she couldn’t keep her eyes open anymore.
“I missed you, Mommy,” she mumbled sleepily.
“I missed you too, sweetheart p>
“Promise you’ll come back more p>
My throat tightened. “I promise p>
She fell asleep a few minutes later, her breathing evening out, her little hand still clutching my shirt.
I stayed awake for a long time, just watching her.
This was what mattered. Not Dante, not Sienna, not any of it.
Just her.
The next day, Thursday, I decided to make dinner.
Liora had been asking for my cooking, and honestly, it felt good to be in the kitchen again. To do something with my hands that wasn’t typing code or answering emails.
I made her favorites: stir-fried vegetables, honey-glazed chicken, and rice the way she liked it. The smells filled the kitchen, warm and familiar.
I’d just turned off the range hood and was reaching for the serving dishes when I heard Liora’s voice from the living room.
“Daddy! You’re back p>
I froze.
The dish in my hands felt suddenly heavy.
Dante was home.