~Elara~
Day four at TechNova, and the building still felt like a beautiful trap. I smoothed down my charcoal blazer and squared my shoulders as I approached the security desk.
"Good morning, Ms. Winters." The security guard—Derek, according to his badge—smiled with practiced politeness as I approached. His eyes remained eerily fixed on mine, never dropping to my ID card as he scanned it. "Mr. Marx mentioned you'd be in early today."
Of course he did. Nothing happened in this tower without Damon's knowledge.
"Project deadline," I offered with a casual shrug, though we both knew it was a lie.
As I stepped into the elevator, I subtly flexed my senses, letting the Algorithm ripple just beneath my skin. The cameras in the corners adjusted almost imperceptibly, following my movement with mo
