Reclaiming Her Crown: The Sterling Saga

unior desk, but as an observer. She still had her access badge, f

court near the large central monitor, which now displayed a splashy graphic: "P

ven Sarah the time of day we

or Nightshade is just so

pproach," Lisa added, casting a sly l

e announced, her voice ringing with false authority, "I' ve reviewed the existing codebase, and I see so many opportunities

ted chatter. Ahead of schedule? That wa

understand if she thought she could just "optimize" it and rush the timeline. Nightshade was a delicate, intricate system.

one meeting to another, making grand pronouncements, delegating tasks with a vague wave of her hand,

ing, Sarah ar

gineering bay, tears streaming down

cried, pointing a shaking finger at h

es fixed on Sarah, w

about, Brittany?" Sara

ittany wailed. "All the code, all the documentation, everything! A

nger. "You! You did this, Miller! You couldn'

in. "She was bitter

faces hostile. The tide had turned completely. Yes

neutral. "And Brittany, as the new department head, you have access to the securit

ow. It's all so technical. And why would I delete my own project

ayes strode in, hi

g on here?"

chest. "Oh, Ethan! It' s horrible! Sarah sa

s workstation late last night, and then again near the server room when I was leaving. I th

ant lie. She hadn't been an

" Sarah said, her voi

a recovery attempt this morning? I saw you at your old terminal before this whole char

hing. He was determine

eclared, his voice hard. He pulled ou

is for what you and your mother did to Brittany

ve to do with this? Brittany' s mother... the other woman. The pieces clicked with sickening clarit

er. The last thing she saw was Ethan comforting a sobbing Brittan