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Keiko sot, even though I’ve known Abigail since college, that she isn’t really a stage person My bad And I’rinned at Abigail “But she wants you to know that she says hi, and if you want free tech, your best bet is Rueben”

The crowd laughed, Abigail relaxed, and Rueben’s ego was stroked It hy they paid her the big bucks With a quick squeeze of Abigail’s hand to say she was sorry, she moved on down the line, all the while aware of Mace’s eyes boring into the back of her head It was clear he was annoyed that she’d locked herself in the closet to sleep the night before But, seriously, was he expecting her to climb into bed with him and carry on where they left off? Did she look that stupid?

Deep breaths

Focus on the job

As soon as the press conference was over, she planned to take steps to remove the man and his tean from her job as press secretary It was the only way to ensure they couldn’t hold the information on her parents over her head forever It was the only way to keep her parents safe Which er hold any value for Mace His interest in her would be over Much like her drea, corporate men

She looked at the next scientist in her row, and her heart sank, even though she kept a ser needs no introduction As head of our Implanted Tech Division, he has personally overseen every aspect of this project—even though lens technology isn’t his area of specialization” It was a little dig, one that went right over his head

She didn’t have to ask Rueben to speak—he thought it was his due and waited, greedily, for yet more attention He cleared his throat, took a step forward and lifted his chin “I am thrilled to be here on this auspicious day…”

You could alroan The head of research could talk about hi cold If she didn’t nip things in the bud fast, there would be a revolt

“It wouldn’t be a product launch without you, Rueben,” she said quickly “I know that the press is eager to ask you their questions as soon as I’ve finished introducing the rest of your ah they were forcing her to interrupt his speech “You’re just going to have to wait until I’m done, okay?”

“Of course” Rueben gave the crowd a reprilare

The press h of relief, and Keiko moved on to the last of the section leaders Unlike

their department head, the section leaders and the rest of their teae would rather have been back in their labs than perforreedy news cycle Keiko would have preferred it, too There had been no need to drag every scientist involved in the project onto the platfore numbers in attendance to make him feel important

“Please give a elcome to Andrew Moray” She indicated the last of the section heads, an older h lines around his eyes and a ready joke for everyone who took the time to talk to him “Andrew is new to our research center here in Houston, having coenius atnew materials He’s also the reason the new lens is thinner and softer than ever before, creating a truly irritation-free experience Trust me, I’ve tried it, and you’ll never know it’s there Would you like to say hello, Andrew?”

“Aye, I would” He smiled at her as he took a step forward

Rueben let out an irritated huff, but Keiko ignored him The Scottish scientist swept his hair to the side of his forehead as he addressed the crowd, knowing the directional nify it for everyone to hear