The exhaustion from their demanding day was evident on both their faces when Malcolm finally dismissed them that evening. Recognizing their fatigue, he granted Dario and Veronica permission to leave earlier than usual.
The moment Veronica stepped through her apartment door, her body craved nothing more than the comfort of hot water washing away the day's stress. She headed straight for the shower, letting the warmth ease the tension from her shoulders before collapsing into bed earlier than she had in weeks.
Morning arrived with another technical crisis at Stellar that demanded immediate attention. By afternoon, Veronica found herself walking through the familiar corridors alongside Dario, their minds already focused on the complex problems awaiting them. The technical discussions began the moment they settled into the conference room, their voices mixing with the hum of computers and the scratch of markers against whiteboards.
The steady rhythm of their work session was interrupted when the conference room door opened. Two familiar figures entered, guided by one of Stellar's staff members. Maverick and Kolton stepped inside, their casual conversation dying the moment their eyes landed on Veronica.
Kolton's eyebrow arched in recognition, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. "Well, would you look at that. She actually works for Stellar. What are the odds?"
Maverick's shoulders lifted in an indifferent shrug. His knowledge of her was limited at best, so her employment status had never crossed his mind.
The nearby Stellar staff member caught their exchange and felt compelled to clarify. "You're referring to Ms. Murray, I assume? She's not part of our team here. She's a technical specialist from DataPulse who's consulting with us today on some challenging issues we've encountered."
Something made Veronica glance over her shoulder. The moment she spotted Maverick and Kolton, recognition flashed through her mind. These were the same men who had made those cutting remarks about her at the auction. Their voices and condescending tones were unmistakable.
Her gaze swept over them briefly before she deliberately turned her attention back to her work, her expression revealing nothing of her thoughts.
Kolton let out a low chuckle, clearly entertained by her dismissal. "Look at that. She's pretending we don't exist."
Maverick, however, had already lost interest in discussing Veronica further. His attention was shifting toward other matters when another figure appeared in the doorway.
Niall entered the room, her presence immediately commanding attention. The moment she noticed the gathered group, surprise flickered across her features, causing her to pause mid-step.
The change in Maverick was instantaneous and unmistakable. Gone was the indifference he had shown moments earlier when discussing Veronica. His entire demeanor shifted, becoming more attentive and engaged. "Ms. Crystal," he said, his voice carrying a warmth that hadn't been there before.
Niall acknowledged them with a professional nod, her expression maintaining its composed neutrality. "Mr. Harris, Mr. Wins."
Maverick stepped forward without hesitation, genuine curiosity evident in his approach. "Ms. Crystal, are you working with Stellar now?"
"Not exactly," Niall replied, her tone measured and precise. "My expertise is in algorithms. I've been spending time here recently to expand my knowledge and learn from the talented people on their team."
Despite being a capital native, Maverick spent most of his time traveling for business. His recent return to the city had coincided with hearing Niall's name mentioned repeatedly in their professional circles.
The stories about her were remarkable and almost too impressive to believe. Graduating from university at eighteen was extraordinary enough, but she had also earned her way into a doctoral program at one of the world's most prestigious institutions.
That kind of academic achievement made him question his own accomplishments.
But her intellectual prowess was only part of what made her fascinating. The rumors painted her as someone who excelled at racing and competitive gaming at championship levels. Beyond that, she apparently sought thrills through rock climbing, skydiving, and various other extreme sports that would terrify most people.
Each new detail he learned about Niall only reinforced his growing admiration for her. She was more intriguing and impressive than he had initially realized, and his interest in her continued to intensify.
The reality of her relationship with Cullen served as a constant reminder to maintain appropriate boundaries.
With that thought firmly in mind, he kept a respectful distance while saying, "Ms. Crystal, your dedication to continuous improvement is truly admirable."
Niall's response carried the same humility that made her even more appealing. "You're too kind, Mr. Harris. It's exactly because I'm aware of my limitations that I feel driven to push myself harder. Don't you agree?"
Her ability to remain humble despite her extraordinary achievements only deepened Maverick's respect for her.
Maverick and Kolton's presence at Stellar wasn't coincidental. Their company, TechPulse Inc., had entered into a collaborative partnership with Stellar on a significant project.
The partnership was actually more complex than it appeared on the surface. DataPulse, Stellar, and TechPulse were all contributing to the same ambitious project, though each company brought different expertise to the table. DataPulse handled the intricate system technology components, while TechPulse specialized in the advanced materials required for implementation.
Malachi Moran, one of Stellar's senior project leaders, noticed Maverick and Kolton's arrival and approached their group with a welcoming smile. His role required him to facilitate communication between all the collaborative partners.
As Malachi guided the expanded group toward where Veronica and Dario were working, the dynamics in the room began to shift.
Malachi's smile broadened as he prepared to make introductions. "Mr. Reid, I'd like you to meet our partners from TechPulse. These gentlemen are—"
Dario lifted his head from the technical documents spread across the table. Recognition sparked in his eyes as he took in the familiar faces, and his eyebrow rose slightly. "Well, if it isn't Mr. Harris and Mr. Wins," he said, his tone carrying a hint of surprise. His gaze shifted to include the third member of their group. "And Ms. Crystal as well."
Veronica had noticed Maverick earlier during their brief eye contact, but she hadn't bothered to look toward the entrance again after returning to her work. Niall's arrival had completely escaped her attention.
The moment Dario spoke the name "Ms. Crystal," however, everything clicked into place for Veronica. There was only one person he would address with that particular combination of formality and recognition. Niall was here.