Chapter 2

The lab exploded the next morning.

The Morrow Group's funding termination notice landed fast and clean. Three million in research funds, frozen instantly.

"Dr. Morrow, the funding for the next phase of superconductor chip testing materials is gone. What do we do?" My assistant's voice was hoarse with panic.

The looks my colleagues gave me shifted. Subtle. Pointed.

In the break room, I already heard the murmurs—that I'd pissed off the patron, dragged the entire project team down with me.

I patted my assistant's shoulder. "Don't panic. I'm going to the director's office."

The director stared at the funding gap report and rubbed his temples.

"The Morrow Group's termination notice triggered a compliance review by the federal funding agency."

He clicked open an encrypted email and turned the screen toward me.

"The review committee pulled the linked files and unsealed an old investigation finding. I think you should see this."

I took the screen. Scanned it. My heart seized.

My final transfer request. Eight years ago. The rejection notice read—

Applicant Sadie Morrow. Suspected of severe academic misconduct. Denied and entered into permanent personnel file.

"Academic fraud?"

It hit my brain like an electric current.

That time I'd actually gotten the transfer order. Canceled the day before I was supposed to leave.

So this was why.

"The Morrow family pulled every string they had to bury this disciplinary action in your sealed file."

The director's voice was quiet.

"Our recent records review finally declassified it. The fraudulent paper—the first author listed is Ella Morrow."

"Your family pinned this on you to protect Ella's marriage alliance."

I gripped the document. My nails left deep grooves in the paper.

No wonder. No matter what I produced, my name never appeared on a promotion list.

They took my future.

Traded it for a clean line on Ella's premarital background check.

I took the file and went straight to my mother's hotel.

She was by the window, drinking Earl Grey tea. She glanced at what I was holding, and her teacup didn't even pause.

"You know now." Her tone was cold. Like discussing the weather.

"Why?"

I stared at her.

"I'm your biological daughter. Do you have any idea what this stain means, pinned to my record?"

Vivienne set her teacup down. Porcelain hit marble with a sharp click.

"Sadie. One must take the long view."

"Ella was marrying into the Grayson family. Nothing could go wrong on her premarital background check."

"You were staying in the desert lab anyway. One extra line in your file—it wouldn't affect you."

"But if that alliance failed, the group stood to lose nine figures."

"So sacrificing you a little to secure my plan—what exactly is the problem?"

"Sacrificing me. For your business." I laughed. My voice was dry.

Vivienne stood up. Walked over to me. Her tone softened a few degrees.

"The raw data from that fraudulent paper. I've kept a complete copy all this time."

"You sign the donation agreement, and I'll hand it over to you."

"Don't sign—and you carry this reputation for the rest of your life."

She said it so naturally. Like she was negotiating a fair trade.

I looked at her. Suddenly it all felt so absurd.

Vivienne. Using the innocence that should have been mine to extort my body.

"And if I don't sign?"

I let out a cold laugh.

Vivienne's face went cold. Behind her glasses, her gaze was a scalpel.

"Sadie. Don't say I didn't give you an out."

"That respiratory condition you've picked up is a rare pathogen."

"All I need to do is let people in my circles know—any doctor who treats you could be subpoenaed for getting tangled up in a federal classified project review."

"Guess how many clinics will still open their doors to you?"