After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 257

The James Group

Lately, Shirley felt like she was drowning. Waldo’s team had checked in from Veridian the moment they made any progress, and through her own network, Shirley found out that the young man from the East who was digging into that six-year-old incident had gotten in touch with Amy from Caspia.

Shirley let out a huge sigh of relief. So Amy was the original developer of Resonance AI. As long as it wasn’t Catherine, she honestly didn’t care who it was.

Right now, Waldo’s people were working on reaching out to Amy, hoping they could settle everything quietly, away from the spotlight. Shirley had also looked into Amy herself. She was in tech, but nothing too impressive, and her background was pretty average—solidly middle class. Which meant money could probably buy her cooperation.

Waldo’s plan was to get Amy on board at The James Group. He was ready to offer her a ten-million-dollar annual salary to lure her over.

Shirley took a sip of her coffee, trying to ignore the twinge of jealousy. Sure, Amy might end up stealing some of her thunder, but Resonance AI was stuck, and she needed help, no matter how it made her feel.

This whole situation had been haunting her dreams for three nights straight. She kept dreaming that she was being taken to court, and just as the judge announced the real creator of Resonance AI, she’d see Catherine walking toward her with her arms crossed, looking smug and unbothered.

She always woke up drenched in cold sweat.

But now, the truth was out. Things were finally settling down. Maybe soon, she’d be able to sleep through the night again.

They’d meet with Amy by next week, tops. If she had to, Shirley would go herself, apologize, admit she was wrong, and ask Amy to join the team.

***

That night, at The Blair Estate

Nestor got a call from Lawrence. He was coming back to Cabinda tomorrow. The negotiations had gone better than anyone hoped, and The Blair Group had landed a major new energy client. They’d be coming by next week to sign the contract.

Nestor lifted his teacup, his voice suddenly cool. “I think if Shirley gets the chance, she should do what Catherine did and head over to a place like Nexus Dynamics.”

The words made Alice’s smile freeze. “Shirley will do well no matter where she goes.”

“Hmph. Waldo almost bought out my company. Catherine working so hard for him just rubs me the wrong way. At least she had the sense to pick a big platform like Nexus Dynamics,” Nestor said, making it clear he still hadn’t forgiven Waldo.

Alice watched him grumble but noticed he still drank the tea she gave him. For a moment, a tiny smile flickered across her lips. “As long as they’re both doing well, that’s all that matters.”

Nestor didn’t answer. He just turned on the TV, ending the conversation.

Alice sat there, feeling a heavy weight settle in her chest. In her husband’s eyes, Lawrence was the golden child now, and even Catherine seemed to outshine Shirley.