Eleanor was in the middle of an experiment. A pig, sedated and lying still on the table, was hooked up to a machine as she and Joel Kingsley worked side by side, reading the data from a neural chip implanted in its brain.

Compared to their previous studies, brain-computer interface research was proving far more grueling.

When they finally stepped out of the lab, both were drenched in sweat. Joel grabbed a tissue and, noticing Eleanor struggling to remove her protective gear, felt a sudden urge. He reached over and gently wiped the perspiration from her forehead.

Eleanor froze in surprise, standing still as Joel carefully dabbed the sweat from her face.

Outside, by the floor-to-ceiling windows just beyond the break room, two figures stood watching.

Ian Goodwin and Byron Chase.

Byron cast a wary glance at his boss's expression.

lan's gaze was fixed through the glass, zeroing in on Joel's gesture toward Eleanor. His eyes were dark and unreadable, but Byron could feel the temperature in the air drop sharply.

"Mr. Goodwin, should I call them in for the meeting?" Byron asked, treading carefully.

"No need,” lan replied coolly. "Let them finish up.”

With that, he turned and strode toward the conference room.

Inside, Eleanor peeled off her protective gear and pulled a tissue from the box to wipe her brow.

Joel sniffed at his sleeve and made a face. "We smell pretty bad. Better wash up twice when we get home."

Eleanor sniffed her own sleeve and grimaced. The anesthesia hadn't taken properly with the pig, and while they'd been stringing up the data cables, it had

rolled over and smeared her with who knew what. Now she could definitely smell

it.

Joel looked at her with a mix of concern and apology. "Sorry you had to go through that."

"It's nothing. Back in Dr. Windsor's lab, I once got attacked by a monkey!" Eleanor pushed up her sleeve to reveal a faint scar on her pale arm.

Her skin was so fair, you'd barely notice the mark unless you looked closely.

Just then, Gwenda opened the door. "Eleanor, Joel, VP Chase is here. You're wanted in the conference room."

"Perfect timing. Let's go," Joel said to Eleanor. There was plenty to discuss with the engineering team.

Gwenda lingered for a few seconds before pinching her nose. "Wow, that smell!" She hurried to switch on the ventilation system.

Eleanor and Joel entered the conference room, where the blinds were drawn tight and the screen was covered with streams of data. Eleanor immediately spotted lan among the group.

"Eleanor, Joel, glad you could join us."

They took their seats. Ian, at the head of the table, looked directly at Eleanor. Her cheeks were still flushed from the exertion, making her fair skin glow with a rosy hue.

But the scent drifting from Eleanor and Joel was unmistakable. Byron couldn't help but cover his nose. "Let's get started, shall we?"

"Apologies,” Joel said. "We just came straight from the lab and didn't have a chance to change. Sorry, everyone."

lan's gaze lingered on Eleanor. "If you need anything to improve your work environment, just let me know."

"We could upgrade the ventilation system," one of the engineers suggested.

"I think we should install showers in the break room," another chimed in.

"Not a bad idea."

As soon as someone mentioned installing showers for both men and women, lan's voice cut through the room, icy and commanding. "Enough."