When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 85

Chapter Eighty–Five: I Need Help.

At NEROX Technology, the atmosphere inside the executive conference room was high with anticipation. Jeff Sandler sat at the head of the long, polished table, his posture relaxed but commanding.

Around him, several top executives occupied their seats, laptops were open before them, notepads ready, their attention focused on the man standing at the front of the room.

The speaker moved confidently, clicking through slides projected onto the large screen behind him. Each slide detailed projections, strategies, and possible outcomes for the upcoming tech expo–an event that could redefine the company’s future.

Everyone in the room understood what was at stake.

This year wasn’t just another year. It was a potential breakthrough.

NEROX Technology had come close before. Close enough to taste success, but never quite enough to dominate. This time, they didn’t want to leave anything to chance.

Though it appeared as though Jeff was listening intently, his sharp gaze fixed on the screen, but his mind was elsewhere.

Jeff Sandler was not the kind of man who wasted energy on surface–level optimism. He was calculative to his core. He was precise, methodical, and deeply practical. It was the reason he had risen so quickly in the business world and stayed there. He didn’t believe in luck. He believed in control.

And control, to Jeff, came from talent.

He firmly believed that success came faster, and lasted longer, only when one surrounded oneself with extraordinary minds. People who could see beyond the obvious. People who could create what others only imagined.

Jeff also didn’t believe in fair play.

Once he set his sights on something, morality became flexible. Rules became optional. The only thing that mattered was the end result. As long as it led to victory, Jeff was willing to pay any price.

Money had never been the problem.

The problem was access. This year, his target had a name–or rather, a codename.

NULLWRAITH.

Whoever was behind that alias had shaken the tech world in subtle but undeniable ways. The innovations, the quiet breakthroughs, and the elegance of the code. It was genius, raw and unmistakable.

Jeff wanted that mind. No, he needed it. But before him lay the challenge. No one knew who NULLWRAITH was.

“Based on our current standing,” the speaker said confidently, “I am fully convinced that our chances of success this year are not just high–they are guaranteed.”

Applause erupted across the room.

The sudden sound pulled Jeff back from his thoughts. He blinked back to reality then leaned back slightly in his chair, folding his hands together as the clapping slowly died down.

I

The speaker turned toward him, clearly eager for approval. “Mr. Sandler, I believe you’ll agree that we’re moving in the right direction.”

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Jeff didn’t respond immediately.

His fingers tapped lightly against the tabletop now. It was slow and deliberate. His other hand rested against his jaw as he considered the statement carefully.

“You might be right,” Jeff finally said.

A murmur of agreement passed through the room. The speaker smiled, visibly pleased. Approval from Jeff Sandler was not easily earned.

“But,” Jeff continued calmly, his voice cutting cleanly through the ongoing murmurs, “everything depends on whether or not we find NULLWRAITH.”

The room fell into silence immediately.

Jeff’s gaze swept across the room, meeting each executive’s eyes one by one. The weight of his words settled heavily in their minds.

Someone cleared their throat. “We’ve made some progress,” the man said cautiously. “It’s been confirmed that NULLWRAITH is human, and not artificial intelligence.”

“Yes,” Jeff replied evenly. “That much is clear.”

He leaned forward slightly. “But knowing that NULLWRAITH is human doesn’t help us if we don’t know who that human is.”

No one spoke.

“You still have time,” Jeff continued, his tone sharpening now. “And I mean now. Not next week, and not after the expo either. I need answers now.”

The message landed instantly. And almost immediately, chairs scraped against the floor as executives stood up. Some left the room briskly, already dialing numbers. Others stayed behind, murmuring urgently as they opened laptops and sent messages.

Jeff watched them with quiet satisfaction.This was how it should be. They were no longer guessing. At least, they were working.

Cassienne stepped into Aurora’s apartment and closed the door behind her with a quiet click.

“You made it,” Aurora said, locking the door and turning toward her.

Cassienne nodded, setting her bag down by the entrance before moving further inside. “I just needed someone to talk to.”

Aurora’s expression softened instantly. “Come sit.”

Cassienne lowered herself onto the couch, letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. The exhaustion on her face wasn’t physical–it was emotional.

Aurora followed her into the sitting room. “Let me get you something to drink. What do you want?”

“For now,” Cassienne replied, leaning back against the cushion, “just water.”

Aurora smiled gently and disappeared into the kitchen. When she returned, she carried a small tray with a bottle of water and a glass. She placed it carefully on the table beside Cassienne.

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Cassienne looked up at her. “Thank you.”

She poured herself some water, took a few slow sips, then set the glass down with a quiet sigh.

“Much better,” she murmured.

Aurora finally sat across from her, studying her face closely. “So,” she said, her tone shifting, “you actually hit that bitch?”

Cassienne laughed, lifting a hand. “Please, stop.”

Aurora’s eyes widened dramatically. “I was hoping she’d be in the hospital by now.”

“I didn’t go that far,” Cassienne said, shaking her head.

“What?” Aurora scoffed. “She deserves worse, and you know it.”

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