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I walked into the room with Grace, and sure enough, Parker was there—playing golf in his office, just like always. Nothing new.

"Parker," Grace started, voice steady, "I used to think it was just neglect, but now I see—you're intentionally screwing me over."

I settled into a chair, smiling slightly. Parker grinned, casually handing his golf club to one of the staff. He looked at me with a smirk. "Grace, I enjoy our little talks..." he said, voice smooth.

He glanced my way again. "Bells, always a pleasure."

I couldn't help but laugh quietly. "I need a researcher, not some jar-head dropout," she fired at him angry.

He raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Actually, I thought we got lucky with him."

Parker stepped into his office, leaving me to sit there. I grabbed a chocolate bar from the desk and took a bite, watching him.

"Lucky?" Grace asked, crossing her arms.

"Yeah," Parker said, nodding slowly.

Grace looked puzzled. "How is that in any way lucky?"

He chuckled. "Well, your guy had a twin brother. And lucky for us, that brother wasn't some oral hygienist—a marine we could actually use. I'm assigning him to your team as a security escort."

Grace rolled her eyes. "Great. Just what I need—another trigger-happy moron running around out there."

Parker moved over to a map on the wall, his tone shifting. "You're supposed to be winning the hearts and minds of the natives. Isn't that the whole point of your little puppet show? You look like them, you talk like them, and soon they'll start trusting us. We build them a school, teach them English..." His voice darkened. "But after all these years, relations are only getting worse."

I frowned at his words. "That's what happens when you use machine guns on them. I wouldn't help if I had a gun pointed at me, either," I said, twirling my necklace.

He beckoned us closer. "Come here. Both of you."

We followed him to his desk, where he grabbed a small rock. "This is why we're here—Unobtanium."

I looked at it, confused. "A rock?"

"Yeah," he said sharply. "Because this little gray rock sells for twenty million a kilo. That's the only reason we're here. It funds everything—your science, the whole operation. Comprende?"

He set the rock back on the desk. "The 'savages' are threatening our entire mission. We're on the brink of war, and you're supposed to be finding a diplomatic solution. Use what you've got and get me results."

Grace's face tightened. "Come on, Bella," she said softly.

I pushed myself up from the chair. "See ya, Parker."

I started to leave with Grace, but he called after me.

"Your dad wants me to tell you to meet him with the new guy as soon as you can."

I sighed but didn't bother to hide my annoyance. I followed Grace, feeling indifferent—I'd go when I wanted.....

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