Eleanor's voice demanded focus as she stood at the front of the lengthy black table, addressing the board members. "I wish to formally present my husband , Alex Carter-Drake, who will lead our terraforming department."Alex scanned the faces around the table. Twelve pairs of eyes studied him with varying degrees of skepticism."A pleasure to meet you all," Alex said, standing. "I'm excited to share my vision for Drake Industries' future in terraforming technology."A silver-haired man cleared his throat. "Marcus Reynolds, Head of Finance. Mrs. Drake, while we respect your... personal choices, are you certain Mr. Drake has the necessary qualifications?"Eleanor's smile remained fixed. "Why don't you show them, darling?"Alex activated the holographic display, projecting his designs above the table. "Our current terraforming methods are outdated. We're treating planets like uniform entities when they're actually complex ecosystems. My proposal involves...""Excuse me," interrupted a wom
Alex sat in the darkened living room of their mansion, nursing a glass of whiskey when the front door opened. Eleanor's heels clicked against the marble floor, then stopped.She softly expressed her surprise at finding that he had not left. "Where would I go? This is my prison, isn't it?"Eleanor moved closer, her silhouette illuminated by the city lights through the window. "Can we talk?""About what? How you humiliated me in front of the board? Or how you treat me like a possession?"She sat across from him, removing her heels. "I deserved that. I... I'm sorry, Alex."The admission made him look up. Eleanor Drake never apologized."You're sorry?""I overreacted. When I heard another woman's voice, I just..." She ran her fingers through her hair, letting it fall loose. "Do you know what people say about us?""That I'm a gold digger? That you're having a midlife crisis?"A small laugh escaped her. "Among other things. They say I'm desperate. That I'm trying to hold onto my youth by m
"Good morning, Mr. Drake. I'm James, your new personal assistant."Alex looked up from his desk to find a stern-faced man in a black suit standing at attention. "I don't need an assistant.""Mrs. Drake insists. She wants to ensure your schedule aligns with company protocols.""Since when does a Head of Research need scheduling?"James placed a tablet on Alex's desk. "Your 9 AM meeting has been moved to accommodate Mrs. Drake's investor lunch. You'll be attending.""I have lab work scheduled-""Already rescheduled. Also, your access to Lab B has been temporarily restricted pending security clearance."Alex stood up. "That's where all my research is!""Mrs. Drake feels it's best to centralize your work in the main facility. Where it can be properly... monitored."The door opened and Luna rushed in, looking flustered. "Alex, we need to talk about the atmospheric readings-""I'm afraid Mr. Drake is booked until 3 PM," James intercepted."Since when?" Luna challenged."Since now." Eleanor'
Alex stared at the holographic data floating before him, his hands trembling. "This can't be right.""What did you find?" Dr. Chen, one of the senior researchers, peered over his shoulder."The cellular degradation... it's accelerating." Alex swiped through more files. "Subject 23 completely rejected the cybernetic implants. Subject 17's neural pathways are deteriorating. This isn't transformation – it's killing them.""Mr. Drake!" Dr. Chen grabbed his arm. "Those files are restricted-""Because they show the truth?" Alex turned to face him. "How long have you known?"The lab door slid open. Eleanor stood there, her expression unreadable. "Leave us, Dr. Chen."Once alone, Alex projected the data onto the main screen. "Care to explain this?""You shouldn't have access to those files.""People are dying, Eleanor!""They knew the risks.""Did they? Did they know their bodies would reject the implants? That their minds would deteriorate until-""They signed the contracts.""Like I did?" A
The clink of silverware against china echoed through the vast dining room. Alex pushed his food around the plate, deliberately avoiding Eleanor's gaze."The chef prepared your favorite," Eleanor said softly.Silence."Darling, please. It's been three days."Alex stood up, his chair scraping against the marble floor."Where are you going?""To work in my study.""It's 8 PM.""Better than here."Eleanor flinched at his words. "I had something delivered for you.""Another bribe?""Alex-""Like the watch yesterday? Or the car the day before?""I'm trying-""To buy me?" He finally looked at her. "Add me to your collection of expensive things?"The doorbell rang. Eleanor's face brightened. "That must be it. Please, just... look at it?"Alex rubbed his neck where the implant throbbed. "Fine."Two deliverymen wheeled in a massive crate. Eleanor practically bounced with excitement as they opened it."A piano?" Alex stared at the gleaming black grand piano."Not just any piano. It's a Bösendorf
The boardroom door burst open. Tyson Drake strode in, his signature smirk plastered across his face. The board meeting came to an abrupt halt."Sorry I'm late. Traffic was hell." He adjusted his Italian suit. "Don't stop on my account."Eleanor's knuckles turned white around her pen. "This is a private meeting.""Private?" Tyson pulled out his phone. "As a major shareholder, I believe I have every right to be here.""Major shareholder?" Alex leaned forward."Oh?" Tyson's smirk widened. "Eleanor didn't tell you? I've been quietly acquiring shares for months. Twenty-three percent, to be exact.""That's impossible," Eleanor snapped."Check the records, darling. I believe that earns me a seat at this table."Mr. Patterson, the head of the board, cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should take a brief recess-""No need." Tyson sat down directly opposite Eleanor. "Please, continue discussing the fascinating progress of Project Genesis. I'm particularly interested in the mortality rates."The ro
Luna's apartment buzzed with tension as Rebecca paced the living room."You're meeting him again?" Rebecca crossed her arms. "After everything that happened?""He's helping me understand these changes," Luna gestured to her faintly luminescent skin. "Nobody else knows what this is like.""What about me? I'm trying to understand, to help-""By checking my phone? By following me?"Rebecca flushed. "I saw the texts, Luna. 'Missing you.' 'Wish you were here.' Those aren't just friendly messages.""He's going through the same thing!""Is that why you dream about him?"Luna froze. "What?""You talk in your sleep. 'Alex, help me. Alex, I need you.'" Rebecca's voice cracked. "Do you have any idea what it's like hearing your girlfriend call someone else's name?""Becca, it's not like that-""Then what is it like?"Luna's phone buzzed. Alex's name flashed on the screen."Go," Rebecca said bitterly. "He's waiting.""Becca-""Just go!"Twenty minutes later, Luna sat across from Alex in their usua
"Are you sure about this, Alex?" His mother, Sarah, sat on the edge of her hospital bed, frail but determined. "The apartment-""Is no longer an issue." Alex helped her with her shoes. "Everything's taken care of.""But Mr. Peterson-""Won't be a problem anymore."The door opened, and Eleanor entered with a wheelchair. "The car's waiting.""Mrs. Conway," Mr. Peterson's voice boomed from the hallway. "I believe we have unfinished business."Alex stepped into the doorway, blocking his view. "Not now.""Three months of unpaid rent-""Which was used for my mother's treatment," Alex's voice was dangerously calm. "Treatment she needed because your building's faulty wiring caused the fire.""That's speculation-""No, that's fact." Alex pulled out his phone. "Just like the fact that your building failed its last six safety inspections. Would you like to see the reports?"Peterson's face reddened. "You can't prove-""Actually, I can. Along with the bribes you paid to keep it quiet." Alex smile