"A leopard can't change its spots," Winni said coolly as she helped Lady Lancaster downstairs. "Have you all forgotten what she used to be like?"

"You should have more faith in her!" Lady Lancaster retorted. "If Ana said she can do it, she must have a plan!" Juliet nodded in fervent agreement.

"Where did you see this?" Lady Lancaster demanded of Benson, thrusting her phone at him. He dutifully downloaded a news app for her and searched for Anastasia's name. A flood of articles appeared, most of them mocking and critical. Lady Lancaster put on her reading glasses and, with one painstaking finger, began typing out furious replies to the online trolls.

Meanwhile, Mr. Brennan's voice was grim. "What about Lauren? Has she found the data yet? Give her two more days. If she can't find it, she will reconstruct it from memory. Whatever she remembers, she will write it down and send it to Anastasia."

If Unison Pharma showed up to the summit empty-handed, the humiliation would tarnish not only Anastasia and Cecilia's names, but the Brennan family's as well.

Upstairs, Penny was frantic. "What

are we going to do? Your

vel

grandfather is furious! If you produce something he might remove you as an heir!

But Lauren was perfectly calm. She had a plan. "The data is gone," she said. "Grandfather wants me to write it from memory? Fine. I'll start right now But I can't guarantee how how much I'll remember, or how long it will take me."

She would drag it out, delivering bits and pieces too late for Unison to use for the summit. She would feign cooperation to avoid legal trouble all while ensuring Anastasia's failure. It was a vicious, brilliant plan.

"Good," Penny smiled. "That's my clever girl."

A cold smile touched Lauren's lips. If she couldn't have Unison Pharma, she would destroy it.

***