“We can negotiate with Hunter.”

“I can pressure his lenders.”

“No,” I said.

“You wanted to use my work to save your company.”

“You are no different from him.”

“I am your father,” he said, stepping toward me.

“A father does not trade his daughter’s life’s work for a corporate bailout,” I said.

I turned the brass handle and pulled the door open.

The hallway outside was brightly lit, the white fluorescent lights hurting my eyes.

I walked out of the executive suite without looking back.

I heard my father call my name once, but his voice was cut off as the heavy oak door clicked shut behind me.

I took the elevator down to the parking garage.

My heart was hammering against my ribs.

I got into my sedan and turned the key.

The engine coughed to life, and the radio immediately static-screened before settling on a local news station.

I went to change the station, but the announcer’s voice stopped my hand.

“…allegations of major research fraud at the university’s biomedical department,” the reporter said.

“A spokesperson for Hayes Industries, Barbara Hayes, released a statement earlier this evening.”