After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 59

Magee and Jarrett nodded right away. “Yeah, we’ll be extra careful.”

Catherine, across the table, didn’t notice the way her husband seemed to command the whole room. She was still busy thinking if there was any other evidence that might help.

“Actually, I have one more piece of evidence,” she said, looking up. “Back when I was building Resonance AI, I hid a special digital watermark in the code. It can only be found with a specific decryption algorithm.”

Jarrett leaned in, clearly interested. “What kind of watermark?”

“It’s an encrypted DNA sequence. My own DNA, actually. No one can fake that,” Catherine replied, a sly spark in her eyes.

Lawrence’s lips pulled into a subtle smile. He really had underestimated her.

Jarrett and Magee froze for a second, then started grinning. “I’ll bet Shirley had no clue about that!”

Lawrence’s voice cut in, calm but sharp as ever. “This is strong evidence, but until we’re sure, everything stays between us. No leaks.” He glanced at Magee and Jarrett with an intensity that made them both sit up straighter.

“We get it,” they answered together.

Catherine still didn’t pick up on the heavy mood in the room, or the fact that everyone was reacting to her husband’s quiet authority.

When the meeting ended, Magee and Jarrett left first. Catherine was just about to follow them when Lawrence spoke in a low voice. “Can we talk for a minute?”

She stopped, then scooted her chair over to him and looped her arm around his. “What’s up?”

Lawrence looked into her eyes, his gaze deep and steady. “That DNA watermark. I really didn’t see that coming.”

Catherine grinned, a little smug. “It’s my personal signature. I had to be careful, just in case someone tried to steal my code.”

“You’re smart,” Lawrence said, his voice warm and sincere.

Catherine blinked at him with wide, curious eyes. That kind of job sounded pretty flexible.

She felt a sudden urge to protect him. She hopped up and gave his shoulder a light pat. “Alright, Lawrence. From now on, I’ve got your back at work. If anyone gives you trouble or tries to make things hard for you, you let me know. I’ll… I’ll crush them with my coding skills.”

She almost said she’d “handle it,” but this was a tech company, after all, so “crush them with technology” felt more appropriate.

Lawrence let out a deep, rich laugh. He looked at his wife, trying so hard to be fierce when she was just adorable, and couldn’t help but smile wider.

He rose to his feet, tall and confident, his presence filling the room. He ruffled her hair again, his eyes soft with affection. “Alright then. I’ll count on you to keep me safe from now on.”

“No problem,” Catherine said, chin up, looking completely satisfied.

Of course, she had no idea how much it looked like a tiny, determined bunny swearing to protect a sleeping lion.