Zara didn't respond. She just stared at the floor, her face blank, eyes blurry with unshed tears. Her chest felt hollow. Everything she had worked so hard for was crumbling before her eyes.
And the worst part? It wasn't because she failed. It was because someone made sure she would never win.
"But Zara," Ace said, his voice soft but firm, "I promise I'll clear this up. I'll get you back on the project. We just need to find whoever leaked your designs. I need your help. We can't do this without you."
But Zara didn't even look at him. Her mind buzzed too loud, filled with thoughts she didn't want to hear. She wanted silence. Peace. Anything but this.
"Your fiancée is mad that you influenced my win," she said flatly. "That's what you should be worried about now. Not me."
"Don't bother yourself about Gina," Ace said with a sigh. "She will come around. Right now, you're the one who needs help."
