Terrible
38 Chapter 38 – The Impossible Bet and a Shocking Revelation
38 Chapter 38 – The Impossible Bet and a Shocking
Revelation
“Meeting finished early. I’ll pick you up in 10.”
He turned, eyebrow raised. “Come to accept my offer after all?”
One by one, my teammates voiced similar sentiments. Claire nodded firmly. “The team works well together. We don’t need external supervision.”
We drove in comfortable silence for a while. I appreciated that Arthur didn’t immediately try to solve my problems or take over the situation. He respected my ability to handle my own battles.
Back in the lab, my team tried to appear unconcerned when I returned, but the tension was obvious. They were gathered around Leo’s workstation, voices hushed.
I watched in amazement as the same people who had dismissed me hours ago now stood united against Caleb’s interference. Their loyalty wasn’t to me personally–they barely knew me–but to the team’s integrity and the work we were doing.
By evening, we had a solid plan in place. As everyone packed up to leave, pretending not to be planning to return later for secret overtime, I received a text from Arthur.
The room fell silent at my question. Caleb’s expression shifted from confident to uncertain, though he recovered quickly,
Leo paled. “That’s impossible. The thermal integration alone would take at least two weeks to optimize.”
“Except me,” I replied, my voice level despite my rising ánger. “You’re trying to trade me like property.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying! The medication is making you co Genevieve’s voice, tinged with panic.
ised!” That was
He turned to leave, pausing only to give me a cold look. “Enjoy your little victory, Elara. It won’t last long.”
I caught up with Caleb by the elevators. “A word, please.”
38 Chapter 38 – The Impossible Bet and a Shocking Revelation
“No,” Leo said with unexpected sincerity, “thank people would challenge a Sterling like that.”
you
for standing up for us. Not many
Genevieve’s face drained of color. “How do you know?!” she gasped before she could stop herself.
Their expressions ranged from shock to admiration to concern.
The team erupted in surprised murmurs. I clenched my fists, furious at his manipulative tactics. Before I could formulate a response that wouldn’t expose my secret identity, Leo surprised me.
“We will,” I replied with more confidence than I felt. “But I need everyone’s full commitment.”
I watched them, mind racing. I could solve the integration problem–I already had most of it worked out as Dr. Wilson–but revealing that now would expose my carefully guarded secret identity.
“I’m declining an unnecessary reshuffling of our team,” Leo corrected. “Mrs. Sterling stays with us.”
Arthur’s hand found my shoulder, steadying me as I stared at the two women, one frail in her hospital bed, the other trembling with exposed deceit. The truth I’d never suspected now lay bare before me, threatening to rewrite my entire existence.
“Elara, wait-” Leo called, but I was already out in the hallway.
Caleb’s smile turned cold. “You haven’t even seen what Dr. Wilson can do. One consultation from that genius would be worth ten regular engineers.”
“We need to stop by the hospital,” he said eventually. “Grandmother insisted on seeing you tonight.”
I gave him a brief summary of the confrontation and the bet.
Leo ran a hand through his hair. “He’s not wrong about the timeline. Ev breakthrough, the full integration is a massive undertaking.”
with our
“Your cousin is quite the challenge,” I admitted, leaning back against the leather seat.
“If my team meets your impossible deadline, you leave us alone. Permanently. No more interference, no more trying to poach team members.”
38 Chapter 38 – The Impossible Bet and a Shocking Revelation.
As the door closed behind him, the room erupted in panicked discussion.
The tension in the room was palpable. Caleb’s eyes darted between faces, searching for any sign of weakness he could exploit. Finding none, he switched tactics.
At the hospital, we walked toward Old Mrs. Sterling’s room, but stopped short at the sound of raised voices echoing down the hallway.
“Don’t count your victories before they happen,” I replied, shaking his hand firmly.
Caleb laughed. “You’re turning down Dr. Wilson’s expertise? That’s career suicide.”
Caleb chuckled. “And when fail?”
you
The world seemed to stop spinning. Beatrice Hayes–Mrs. Dubois–was my mother? Not Genevieve? I clutched the doorframe for support as the revelation crashed over
- me.
“Dr. Wilson isn’t some service you can offer up,” I said carefully. “And I’m not a bargaining chip.”
Caleb’s expression darkened. “This isn’t a democracy. As senior executive, I’m informing you that Dr. Wilson will be overseeing this project.”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “You think I’m bluffing? I have direct access to Dr. Wilson’s team. In fact,” he raised his voice to address the entire room, “I’m here to announce that Dr. Wilson will be taking over supervision of this project effective immediately.” Outside the Sterling Tower, Arthur’s sleek black car waited. I slid into the passenger seat, immediately feeling some of the day’s tension dissolve in his presence.
Arthur and I exchanged glances before hurrying toward the room. We reached the doorway just as Old Mrs. Sterling pointed a shaking finger at Genevieve.
The team dispersed to their stations, new energy in their movements. I caught snippets of their whispered conversations–they were arranging overnight shifts, canceling weekend plans, all without being asked. Their solidarity:
rised me.
“I want to make a bet,” I said, keeping my voice low. “Based on our old college rivalry.”
Ian approached my desk with a sheepish smile. “We’ll make it work, Elara. None of us want to see you forced into Caleb’s department.”
<
38 Chapter 38- The Impossible Bet and a Shocking Revelation
I nodded, touched by their determination. “Thank you.”
Ian stepped forward next. “I agree with Leo. We’ve just had a breakthrough thanks to Elara. Changing leadership now would only disrupt our progress.”
“And as department head,” Leo countered, “I’m informing you that my team remains intact under my leadership. If you have concerns, take them up with the board.”
Leo stepped forward, his professional demeanor returning. “Mrs. Sterling has already proven herself valuable to our team. We don’t need to make any trades.”
“Not for Dr. Wilson,” Caleb said smugly. “Since you’re so confident in your team, surely you can match what a real expert could do.” He glanced at his watch. “End of the week. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to report the department’s failure to meet critical deadlines.”
“That’s a big gamble,” Jason said. “What happens if we don’t make it?”
Interest flickered in his eyes. We’d been fierce academic competitors years ago, before he discovered my “illegitimate” status and abandoned me.
“End of the week? He’s setting us up to fail,” Ian groaned.
I bit my tongue to keep from revealing my secret. The irony of being compared to myself wasn’t lost on me.
“That’s a risky move,” he commented, eyes on the road. “But I understand why you made it.”
Leo straightened. “You’ve got it. We were just discussing a plan to divide the work. With everyone pulling extra hours, we might have a fighting chance.”
I met his gaze steadily. “If we fail, I’ll transfer to your department voluntarily.”
“Get out! Get out of my room right now!” Old Mrs. Sterling’s voice was weak but filled with fury.
“Rough day?” he asked, noticing my expression.
“Fine,” I said simply. “I made a wager with Caleb. If we meet the deadline, he leaves our team alone permanently.”
He studied me for a moment, then extended his hand. “Deal. I’ll enjoy having you
38 Chapter 38 – The Impossible Bet and a Shocking Revelation
under my direct supervision, Elara.”
“What kind of bet?”
“With all due respect, Mr. Sterling, we don’t need outside supervision.” His voice carried a strength I hadn’t heard before. “Our team is more than capable, especially with Elara’s contribution.”
“I need to speak with Caleb,” I said suddenly, heading for the door.
“I am perfectly lucid! You are not her mother! Beatrice Hayes is her mother!”
“Fine,” he said with a dangerous smile. “Keep your precious team. But I want results. You have until the end of the week to solve the full integration problem.”
“This is business, Elara,” he said smoothly. “I’m simply facilitating a beneficial arrangement for everyone involved.”
Arthur’s jaw tightened slightly. “What did Caleb do now?”
“Everything okay?” Leo asked when he noticed me.
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