Chapter 73

Evelyn Sinclair carefully noted down Emily Whitaker's contact number before stepping out of the lab, cradling the small robotic tiger in her arms. Dominic Kingsley raised an eyebrow in surprise at her swift return.

With a triumphant smile, Evelyn held up the mechanical creature. "Emily gifted him to me. May I take him home?"

Dominic's expression shifted from shock to amusement. "Of course. He's her personal creation, completely separate from company property." He approached and gently stroked the tiger's head. "Behave yourself, little traitor."

The tiger huffed indignantly. "Finally going home with my beautiful mama!"

Dominic chuckled as he shook his head. "Let me escort you back."

Upon arriving at her penthouse, Evelyn intended to bond with her new companion, but her phone interrupted with an incoming video call from Lucas Sterling, her famous actor brother.

The robotic tiger explored its new surroundings with childlike wonder, its tail swishing excitedly. It marveled at the lavish decor before claiming its throne - a $100,000 Hermès throw blanket draped over the designer sofa.

Lucas Sterling's face filled the screen, his chiseled features proof of his international stardom. That devastating smile had broken countless hearts across continents. "Baby sis! You're glowing more than ever."

Evelyn flipped her hair with practiced nonchalance. "What can I say? Perfection runs in the family."

Lucas barked a laugh at her shamelessness. "To celebrate your divorce, I postponed my shoot in Milan. Flying home tomorrow - don't forget to pick me up!" The call ended before Evelyn could respond.

She turned to the curious tiger now nuzzling her palm. "Do you have a proper name?"

"Baby," it replied, rubbing its face against her hand.

Evelyn considered this. "How about Leo? It suits a majestic creature like you." The tiger's eyes lit up.

"Leo! Strong and powerful! ROAR!" It pounced playfully before curling up for a quick recharge. Evelyn marveled at Emily's genius - this creation behaved exactly like a real tiger cub. "No wonder Emily admires Donovan," she mused. "Brilliance recognizes brilliance."

At dawn, Leo sprang onto Evelyn's bed, tugging the covers with his tiny paws. "Mama! Airport time!" The sudden chill woke Evelyn instantly.

"You called me mama?" she asked, amused.

Leo licked her palm affectionately. "Emily said my namer becomes my mama."

"Couldn't you call me Evie instead?"

The tiger's forehead stripes scrunched in confusion. "Evie...mama?"

Evelyn surrendered with a laugh. "Mama it is. But how did you remember about the airport?"

"Photographic memory!" Leo declared proudly.

After hastily dressing in an elegant navy dress with diamond accents, Evelyn drove her Porsche Cayenne to the bustling airport. A crowd of screaming fans near arrivals confirmed Lucas's flight had landed.

One enthusiastic fan's sign caught Evelyn's eye: "Lucas Sterling - You're the Moon to My Stars!" She snapped a photo for the family group chat:

[Evelyn Sinclair: First time questioning our naming choices...]

[Alexander Sterling: Should say 'Lucas makes me loco!']

[Donovan Sterling: That sign's polymer composite suggests... three paragraphs of scientific jargon]

[Lucas Sterling: TRAITORS! Dad, punish them!]

[William Sterling: has left the conversation]