THE STARDUST FORTUNE

Chapter 30: Double Lives

"You're late," Eleanor's voice cut through the darkness of their penthouse.

Alex loosened his tie. "Board meeting ran long."

"Really?" She held up a holographic display. "Because according to security logs, you were in Archive Room B."

"Research for the terraforming presentation."

"For three hours?" She stepped closer, her white glow pulsing. "With Luna?"

Alex's implant buzzed: Luna's voice in his head. "Careful. She's probing the collective consciousness."

"She's helping with the data," Alex kept his voice steady. "You assigned her, remember?"

"I assigned her to assist, not to spend every waking moment with my husband." Eleanor's hand touched his face. "You're lying to me, Alex."

"Eleanor-"

"Shh." Her fingers traced his jaw. "I can taste the deception. Your transformation... it's changing. Like your father's did."

Alex's heart raced. "What do you mean?"

"David started lying too. Right before he found them." She smiled sadly. "Right before he tried to stop me."

His implant buzzed agai