Chapter 51

Evelyn Sinclair's mood darkened the moment she discovered Nathan Blackwood would be personally overseeing this project. The last thing she wanted was to interact with that man, yet fate seemed determined to throw them together during this collaboration.

How utterly frustrating.

The following morning, Evelyn arrived at Kingsley Tech with her team. Dominic Kingsley greeted them warmly, offering to escort them straight to the research lab. Witnessing the cutting-edge experiments and breakthroughs firsthand would give Sterling Corporation's representatives a genuine understanding of their progress.

As they walked, Evelyn and Dominic exchanged pleasantries. Just before they reached the lab entrance, something small and unexpected darted toward them. A startled voice from behind cried out, "Watch out!"

Evelyn glanced down—and froze.

A plump, striped tiger cub, no larger than her ankle, wobbled toward her. Its ears were perked, whiskers twitching, and its round, golden eyes sparkled with mischief. Far from intimidating, it looked like an overgrown, cuddly house cat.

The entire group gasped. Evelyn's pulse skipped as she instinctively stepped back.

But the little tiger misjudged its speed and collided with her shoe, tumbling onto the floor with a dramatic "Oof!" It scrambled up clumsily, rubbing its head against her foot as if apologizing. Then it peered up at her, blinking innocently.

Evelyn's heart melted.

It acted like a spoiled, lazy cub, utterly fascinated by everything around it. She had the sudden, irrational urge to scoop it up and take it home.

The tiger stretched out a tiny paw and patted the spot on her shoe it had bumped, as if dusting off invisible dirt.

Evelyn exhaled sharply, rubbing her eyes.

"Pretty lady!"

Her breath hitched.

The tiger had spoken—in the high-pitched, cheerful voice of a toddler.

Her eyes widened. Did it just—?

No, wait. Why was there a tiger here? Endangered animals didn’t just wander corporate hallways!

Dominic chuckled. "Apologies for the scare." He glanced down at the cub, his tone gentle but firm. "You should apologize too."

The tiger nuzzled Evelyn’s ankle again, its voice dripping with exaggerated remorse. "So sorry! I look scary, but I’m really nice!"

The words flowed so naturally, so human, that if it hadn’t spoken, Evelyn would’ve sworn it was real.

The team stared, stunned.

Evelyn crouched, mesmerized by the cub’s gleaming eyes—so lifelike they shifted with the light. Only the faintest infrared glow in its pupils betrayed its artificial nature.

"This is our experimental team’s latest prototype," Dominic explained. "A companion AI designed for emotional support. It usually stays in the lab, but someone must’ve left the door open." He sighed. "Little troublemaker."

"Is this part of our project?" Evelyn asked, excitement bubbling.

Dominic hesitated. "Not yet. It’s still in development—too many variables to mass-produce."

"But it’s adorable!" a colleague gushed. "I’d buy one in a heartbeat!"

"At the cost of ten Manhattan penthouses, maybe," Dominic said wryly. "The materials alone are astronomically expensive."

The group groaned in collective disappointment.

Evelyn sighed, giving the cub one last longing look—until it suddenly flopped onto its back, paws waving. "Pretty lady, hug me!"

She laughed, glancing at Dominic for permission. He rolled his eyes but nodded.

Carefully, she scooped it up.

The cub was light, fluffy, and warm, nestling into her arms like it belonged there. It even purred, nuzzling her chest with a blissful expression.

"You’re too cute," Evelyn murmured.

"I know!" it chirped, preening.

A female colleague leaned in. "Are all tigers this cuddly?"

The cub’s eyes gleamed. "Would you like to switch modes? Fierce tiger mode—yes or no?"

"Yes!"

It twisted its head, scrunched its face, and—

"Rrrowr?"

Silence.

"Rrrowr! Rrrowr!"

The group burst into laughter.

"That’s not fierce—that’s adorable!"

Dominic smirked. "Its IQ is higher than you think. It’s messing with you."

The cub grinned, rolling onto its back in Evelyn’s arms. "Everyone loves me!"

The team’s shock melted into awe—then envy as they eyed the priceless tech in Evelyn’s grasp.

Dominic finally ushered them into the lab, where Kingsley Tech’s innovations left Evelyn breathless. Autonomous vehicles, medical bots, smart homes—their AI advancements were revolutionary.

She knew then: partnering with them was the right choice.

While the team explored, Dominic guided Evelyn to a secluded oval office. Staff members stood respectfully as they entered.

Then a side door opened.

A man stepped inside.

A technician gestured. "Begin undressing."