Chapter 886

Sterling Enterprises.

Evelyn Sinclair felt significantly more at ease since Alexander Sterling's return.

She lounged in her office, sipping coffee while reviewing documents.

Just as she glanced at the clock, considering lunch, Bennett entered.

"President, Seraphina Devereux is here."

Evelyn frowned, recalling her previous encounter with Seraphina and Vincent Caldwell at the golf club.

"Send her away."

Bennett nodded and turned to leave—until Seraphina pushed past him. She wore oversized sunglasses and a scarf wrapped tightly around her face, as if deliberately drawing attention to her celebrity status.

Evelyn's expression turned icy. "Call security." She had no patience for theatrics.

The last time she'd helped Seraphina, the woman hadn't even bothered with a thank-you before vanishing. Now, Evelyn couldn't care less about the truth behind Seraphina and Vincent's messy dispute. It wasn't her problem.

Seraphina rushed forward, hastily removing her sunglasses. Her eyes were wide with desperation. "Ms. Sterling, please—just five minutes. I came to thank you properly for last time."

Evelyn arched a brow. "Unnecessary. You're a busy woman, Ms. Devereux. I wouldn't expect you to remember such a trivial favor."

Seraphina's lips pressed into a thin line. "I was afraid Vincent's people would catch me. I had to run. When I returned to set, my agent confiscated my phone. I swear, I wanted to reach out sooner."

Evelyn wasn't interested in excuses. She smiled coolly. "If that's all, you may leave."

Seraphina hesitated, fingers twisting nervously.

"I know Sterling Enterprises is negotiating with Vincent. I came to warn you—this isn't about me. It's about your company."

Evelyn paused, then gestured for Bennett to exit.

Once they were alone, she took a slow sip of coffee. "And why should I care about your warning?"

Seraphina sat across from her, posture rigid. Unlike their last meeting, she looked polished—her makeup flawless, her demeanor sharper.

"Ms. Sterling, Vincent's production line is on the verge of collapse. If you sign that contract, he plans to outsource manufacturing and dump defective products on you. He's abandoning that line entirely—because he's using your deal as a cash grab to fund his real plan: stealing your core technology."

Evelyn studied her, unreadable. "Proof?"

Seraphina exhaled. "One of your R&D managers has been meeting with Vincent. He invested in Vincent's new company last week."

She pulled out her phone, swiping to a wedding photo. In the background, Vincent stood smugly beside the groom—a face Evelyn recognized instantly.

He'd been in her R&D meeting.

Her grip on the coffee cup tightened.

Seraphina's claim just became dangerously credible.

They'd already considered ending negotiations—but theft?

The cardiac pacemaker was Sterling Enterprises' breakthrough medical device, currently in limited distribution to major hospitals for testing. Each unit was serialized, equipped with real-time feedback.

Preliminary results were stellar, but formal expert reviews hadn't begun. Only senior leadership knew the full details.

And now, someone inside was leaking them.