The Kingmaker: A Business Contract Marriage.

eep feels like a

r eighteen-hour workdays started showing in the mirror. People pay for the illusion of invin

me a coffee as the elevator doors open to the

ake a sip. Black. Scaldin

this morning. CEO's wife jus

l sorry for

ly, knowing better than to ask why a pediatric

ghtly in my grip. "Move my afternoon appoin

xt from Vivienne: *Koda refused bre

k. Numbers don't lie, and these numbers ar

ir collective confidence shrinking with their stock portfolio. Phill

ley, we ap

aked." I set down my coffee, ignoring h

hat's not possible. We've on

lick the remote. The wall screen illuminates with their disma

prepared alternate language for the consultin

ing." I move around the table, my heels stri

ative structure – the story their company n

"It works. Not spectacularly. Not miraculously. But it works better th

ioning it as a breakthrough for a

linical data appears. "The market doesn't believe you because

e they wanted – the one they can actually have. By the time I finish

eted demographic," he tells his team. "Ms

orate realities since these men were still tryi

, leaving just

aughter... she has a rare blood disorder. When I

onal life isn't relevant to

ith some research partners at Mayo Clinic. Experimental protocols for rare h

desperate man offering the one thing mon

nt," I say finally. "But our agreem

erst

ng frame. The way he pretends not to be tired. The research papers I

ce stands open. I n

or. But I recognize the set of those shoulders. The watch. The entitled

Leviné swivels to face me. "You

bs, but my face reveals noth

ime, Mr. Leviné," I say, voice

r phone when I mentioned the Leviné na

ward, Koda's handiwork with my camera. Tyler's fingers touch what my s

ting down the photo. "Especially

s like a slap. He kno

ing into my own space, refusin

, circles my desk like he's measuring

use

He slides a check across my desk. The number makes my fingers itch. "I need the board of

check. "I don't do

his eyes. "I thought family was

nne: *Doctor wants another blood sample.

e too closely,

"My brother announcing his Senate run the same week

ps. "There's n

hat normal people can't access. I need someone who understands how perce

That amount would cover exper

u proposing?" My voi

Nasir win his Senate seat with a family narrative that voters can embrace. Your son gets access to the bes

lt. "How long have y

custom suit. "Longer than my b

stlake Clinic this afternoon. Same floor as your s

my desk until my fingers ache. Wi

oice steady. "Change plans. Keep Koda

erything inside me goes cold. "

of si

.. Nasir Lev

that sounds like the end of everything I've built. Fourteen

on my desk. The amount would save my

with a steady hand. I've built my life teac

e one man who always