Chapter 246
No.1
Elisa and August walked through the heavy wooden doors and entered the grand lobby of the FDA hearing center.
The space was massive, lined with polished marble floors and towering Corinthian columns. The air was thick with the smell of bitter coffee and the nervous energy of hundreds of medical executives.
Elisa scanned the crowd.
Alastair Cromwell stood near a large marble pillar.He wore a sharp, navy blue bespoke suit. He held a paper coffee cup, his piercing blue eyes scanning the room.
He saw Elisa. His gaze flicked briefly to August's hand resting on her arm. Alastair's jaw tightened slightly, but he gave Elisa a slow, knowing nod.
Elisa nodded back. She prepared to pull her arm away from August.
Before she could move, a loud commotion erupted
No.2
near the entrance.
Allena walked through the doors. She was surrounded by three private security guards and two frantic assistants. She was treating the federal regulatory hearing like a Hollywood red carpet.
She wore a blindingly white, custom Dior skirt suit.Around her neck sat the massive, multi-million dollar sapphire necklace August had bought her at the auction.
But that wasn't what caught Elisa's eye.
Tied elegantly around Allena's neck was a dark blue silk scarf with a very specific, subtle geometric pattern.
Elisa looked at August's chest. His silk tie bore the exact same dark blue geometric pattern.
It was a matching set. A deliberate, coordinated visual statement of their intimacy, worn in public,right in front of his legal wife.
No.3
A violent wave of nausea hit Elisa's stomach. The sheer disrespect was physically sickening.
She violently snatched her hand back from his arm.
She stepped away from him as if he were covered in toxic waste.
August frowned, annoyed by her sudden movement.He turned to reprimand her, but Allena was already rushing toward them.
"August!" Allena chirped. Her voice echoed loudly in the marble lobby.
She completely ignored Elisa. She walked right up to August and possessively wrapped her arms around his bicep, pressing her chest against his arm.
Allena finally turned her head to look at Elisa.Her eyes dragged up and down Elisa's severe black Tom Ford suit. A malicious, triumphant smirk spread across Allena's face.
No.4
"Elisa," Allena said, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. "You look like you're dressed for a funeral.It's a little depressing for such a big day, don't you think?"
Alastair stepped out from behind the marble pillar.His presence immediately commanded the space.
"It is far better to dress for a funeral," Alastair said,
his voice cold and cutting, "than to dress like a cheap mannequin in a storefront window."
Allena's smile vanished. She shrank back slightly,pressing closer to August. She was terrified of Alastair Cromwell.
August immediately stepped forward, shielding Allena. He glared at Alastair.
"Watch your mouth, Cromwell," August warned, his voice dropping to a threat.
No.5
"I only show respect to people who earn it,Chambers," Alastair shot back, his eyes burning with contempt.
A loud electronic chime echoed through the lobby.A voice came over the PA system, announcing that the hearing for Project Chiron was beginning in Room A.
The group moved toward the double doors of the main hearing room.
The room was designed like a university lecture hall.Rows of curved wooden desks faced a raised platform. The first row was designated exclusively for the core project applicants and VIP investors.
Elisa walked down the aisle. As the Chief Technical Architect of Aethel, she moved directly to the center seat in the front row. A white placard with her name was already placed on the desk.
August, as the primary financial backer, took the seat immediately to her left.
Allena hurried down the aisle, her high heels clicking loudly. She moved to sit in the empty chair to August's left. She stopped. She stared at the desk.
No.6
The name placard on the desk to August's left read:Alastair Cromwell. As the primary investor, August had been placed directly between Aethel's Chief Architect and CEO.
Allena's face flushed red with anger. She was a "consultant." She had no official standing to sit in the front row.
She turned to Elisa. She raised her chin, adopting a tone of absolute entitlement.
"Elisa," Allena commanded loudly, though she tried to coat her words in a layer of professional concern."I am the chief medical consultant for the Chambers Group's venture division. I need to be next to our
primary investor to advise him during the hearing.For the good of the presentation, could you move to the second row?"①
Several executives in the rows behind them stopped talking.They stared at the bizarre scene.
Elisa picked up her heavy leather document folder.She slammed it down onto the wooden desk. The loud crack echoed through the quiet room.
No.7
She turned her head slowly. She looked at Allena with eyes as cold as a morgue.
"Move for you?" Elisa asked. Her voice was crystal clear, carrying to the back of the room. "Who the hell do you think you are to demand my seat?"