Chapter 58 The Threat

Professor Davies and Claire remained in the hall after Eira entered the conference room.

Victor’s assistant asked them to clear the doorway. Claire walked toward the waiting area, but Professor Davies only stepped a few feet back.

The assistant did not argue. She had other work to do.

Professor Davies remembered what Eira had told him.

Serena was in the building.

But why?

There was no project briefing today, and Serena had no access to the core research. She had no reason to be anywhere near this meeting.

Professor Davies scanned the hallway.

A flash of a designer skirt disappeared behind the corner. A pair of heels followed.

Almost everyone at Silix wore practical shoes and lab coats. Serena stood out wherever she went.

"Dr. Winthrop?"

Serena stiffened. She tried to slip her phone into her purse, but it fell from her hand.

It landed faceup on the floor.

A photograph filled the screen. It showed a masked woman walking beside Professor Davies.

Serena’s face went pale.

Phones were allowed in the administrative wing, but photography was strictly forbidden. Devices also had to be turned off near restricted meetings.

Professor Davies picked up the phone.

"Professor, I came with my grandfather," Serena said quickly. "I forgot to turn it off."

Professor Davies looked at the photograph.

Eira’s face was mostly hidden by her mask, but a few strands of golden hair had fallen across her cheek. Anyone familiar with her might recognize her.

"I see," he said.

He opened Serena’s photo gallery and deleted the pictures. Then he cleared the trash folder.

"There. The security issue has been handled."

Serena took the phone from him, forcing a smile.

"Thank you, Professor."

Her relief lasted only a moment. Every photo was gone.

She tightened her grip on the phone.

"That woman with you was Dr. Crawford, wasn’t she?" Serena asked lightly. "I’ve heard so much about her. I’d love to meet her."

"It was Dr. Crawford."

Davies’s polite smile did not reach his eyes.

"Her identity is protected for a reason. Photographing her inside a federal research facility could trigger a security investigation."

Serena’s stomach dropped.

If Professor Davies filed a report, both she and Victor would face questions. Her temporary clearance could also be revoked.

"I understand," she said. "It won’t happen again."

"I hope not. I chose to delete the photographs instead of reporting you."

The warning was clear.

Serena adjusted the strap of her purse.

"Of course. Please excuse me."

She turned and walked away.

Her original plan had been to wait until Dr. Crawford left the meeting and take a clearer picture. With Professor Davies guarding the door, that was no longer possible.

Serena glanced back once before entering the elevator.

She had come for Dr. Crawford’s identity.

She left with nothing.

--

Inside the Conference Room

Victor began with praise.

"Dr. Crawford, this project would not be where it is today without you. Your work has been invaluable."

"Thank you, Dr. Winthrop."

"Of course, no project succeeds because of one person. Every researcher has played a part."

"I agree."

Eira opened the file in front of her.

"I can give you a full breakdown of each team member’s work."

She went through the list, explaining every researcher’s duties and results.

She did not mention Serena.

Victor’s expression tightened.

"What about Serena? She’s been with the project for nearly a month. Surely she has brought something useful to the team."

"Not quite a month," Eira said. "So far, she hasn’t completed any technical work that qualifies for additional credit."

The answer was calm and factual. That made it harder to challenge.

"Dr. Crawford, you remind me of your mentor."

Eira closed the file.

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

"You shouldn’t." Victor leaned back. "Dr. Thorne was brilliant, but he made enemies everywhere he went."

"If I achieve half of what he did, I’ll consider my career a success."

Victor’s patience slipped.

"Dr. Thorne had the reputation and influence to survive those fights. You don’t."

"I appreciate the advice."

Her polite tone only irritated him more.

"Serena needs access to the core data," he said. "Approve it."

Eira’s expression did not change.

"She doesn’t have the required clearance or a technical reason to access it."

"She’s a senior consultant."

"Her title doesn’t override federal security rules."

"I’m not asking you to give her control of the project. I’m asking you to let her review the data."

"And I’m saying no."

Victor’s face darkened.

"You’re one person, Dr. Crawford."

"I’m the technical lead. Protecting that data is part of my job."

"And if the review board approves her access?"

"Then I’ll file a formal objection. If they move forward anyway, I’ll step down as technical lead and withdraw any patent licenses under my control."

Victor stared at her.

"Is that a threat?"

"It’s the consequence of giving classified research to someone who hasn’t worked on it and doesn’t need it."

"You’re doing this because you dislike Serena."

"No. You placed Serena on my team without consulting me. I accepted the decision. What I won’t accept is giving her access she hasn’t earned."

Victor’s face flushed with anger.

Eira watched him for a moment.

"Do you need a minute?"

"Get out."

She stood and gathered her files.

"Dr. Crawford."

Eira paused at the door.

Victor’s voice turned cold.

"You’re talented, but talent only takes you so far. Research depends on funding, partnerships, and reputation. Keep making enemies, and you may find that no one wants to work with you after this project."

Eira met his eyes.

"Is that professional advice, or are you threatening to interfere with my career?"

Silence followed.

Victor had no answer he could safely give.

Eira opened the door.

"I’ll make a note of this conversation."

Then she walked out.

Professor Davies was waiting in the hall. The moment he saw her, he held out her mask.

"Put this back on."

Eira noticed the tension in his face and covered her nose and mouth.

"What happened?"

"Serena was hiding in the administrative wing and taking pictures of you."

Eira stopped.

"Did she see my face?"

"I don’t think so. I deleted the photos and cleared the trash folder."

"You should’ve reported her."

"I still might." Professor Davies glanced toward the nearby security camera. "The hallway footage will show what she did."

Eira adjusted her mask.

"Then file the report. If we ignore it, she’ll try again."

Professor Davies nodded. "I’ll speak to security."

His voice dropped.

"Until this is handled, use a different entrance and change your coat before you leave. Serena is already looking for a connection between you and Dr. Crawford."

"And if she tells Sebastian?"

"That’s what worries me. If they compare what they know, they may figure it out."

Eira thought of Sebastian asking her to find Sterling Group’s bid documents.

"He already tried to get confidential information from me."

Professor Davies’s expression hardened. "Then we assume both of them are a security risk."

He handed her a written security notice.

"Your identity protects more than your privacy. It protects access to the project. Don’t let anyone use your badge, devices, or biometric records."