Quentin was just a university professor, one of the many scholars sponsored by OmniCore Technologies. Yet somehow, he wielded surprising influence in front of the company’s senior leadership.
Leo picked up his phone, his expression unreadable as he quietly sent a message to his assistant.
“Keep a close eye on Quentin. I want to know his every move.”
Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Quentin was chatting cheerfully with Selene. “If you really want to thank me, just buy me dinner sometime.”
Selene replied, “Once this is done, I’ll make sure to treat you, Mr. James. But for now, let’s keep our distance–no need to invite unnecessary suspicion.”
Quentin chuckled in agreement. “Of course. Once it’s public that you’re heading the acquisition, even Mr. Vaughn will be keeping tabs on you. You’d better be careful.”
His tone turned indignant. “Honestly, Harrison is such a jerk! And that son of his, Dames–seeing the way they treat you makes me want to punch them both.”
“Then why don’t you keep watch at Sky Pastures Ranch?” Leo’s cool voice cut in suddenly.
Quentin froze, startled, shrinking into himself like a mouse caught by a cat.
It wasn’t surprising–Selene had just mentioned she was with Leo, so of course he
could chime in.
f
“If Harrison and Dames–or Felicity, for that matter–try to climb up from the lower slope, you can greet them with those punches you promised.”
Quentin’s legs almost gave out. He’d only been venting to Selene; if he actually ran into Harrison, he wouldn’t dare say a word, let alone throw a punch.
“Dr… Academician Vaughn, I, uh, have some very important research to finish tonight…” Quentin’s voice quavered through the phone.
“You can finish it at Sky Pastures Ranch. I’ll have someone drive you over.”
“But, but…”
Leo’s voice was icy, each word sharp as a shard of glass. “Just answer me. Yes or
no.”
Even through the phone, Quentin felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his throat.
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He could barely choke out a response.
Finally, he managed a quiet, defeated, “Yes.”
Selene could almost picture him now–crestfallen and flustered.
She knew Leo was sending a warning.
After she hung up, Leo muttered, “Third–rate.”
Selene whispered, “He’ll pay for what he’s done.”
Leo glanced at her, curious. “You two have history?”
She took a deep breath. “He stole my doctoral dissertation. Claimed it as his own.”
A steely coldness flashed in Leo’s eyes.
It was the first time Luke Holloway had heard any of this. “How could that happen?” Selene gave a bitter, self–deprecating smile. “He stole my work years ago, and I never realized it. Adrian was the one who told me. Otherwise, I’d still be in the
dark.”
Luke pressed, “How did Adrian find out?”
“Theodore Shaw had seen my early drafts. He assumed that after I dropped out, I must’ve handed my research over to Quentin.”
Selene’s smile grew even more bitter. “But now, I have no proof. The original files were deleted ages ago.”
She clenched her, fists. “But I won’t let him get away with it. I’ll make sure he pays.”
“Want my help?” Leo offered.
Selene shook her head with a faint smile. “Your power and influence would make it easy, but relying on it is addictive, isn’t it? Quentin took my work because he knew that, even if I found out, there was nothing I could do. Messing with me, pushing me around–it was like kicking a pillow. No resistance.
But I’m going to change that. I want to stand on my own, to fix this myself. When the storm comes, I’ll be the one holding the umbrella.”
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