Millie called Alexander, her voice tinged with frustration as she described her predicament.
"I wanted to get in for some networking and to learn. The first time, I understood being turned away from Ninesky Technologies was because of Danielle. But now… what she's doing is just plain unfair."
There was a brief silence on the other end. Alexander sounded distracted, as if he were in the middle of something. After a pause, his reply was cool and measured: "Don't worry. I'll handle it."
-
That evening, Danielle was working late. Ninesky Technologies was rolling out a new system for testing, and she was buried in data runs well into the night.
Back at their small apartment, Niki was home alone, quietly working through a set of advanced math problems. Kindergarten assignments were much too easy for her now.
When the doorbell rang, Niki froze for a second.
She set down her pencil and walked to the door, but instead of opening it right away, she checked the security camera.
Seeing the man outside, her hand tensed, heart racing.
Alexander stood at the door dressed in black, his expression cold and distant.
The sight of her father made Niki's heart flutter with excitement.
Was Dad here to bring Mom home?
She pressed her lips together and opened the door.
"Sir…"
Alexander merely grunted, his tone indifferent. "Where's your mother?"
"She's working late. She hasn't come back yet."
He didn't respond. Instead, he strode past her and sat down on the couch, legs crossed with an air of detached elegance.
Niki brought him a glass of warm water, but he didn't touch it. He didn't speak to her at all.
Niki sat back at her little desk, but she couldn't focus on her math anymore. Her eyes kept drifting over to her father.
The glass of water sat untouched on the coffee table the entire time.
He refused the water she offered, but if Raffy gave him anything, he'd always accept with a smile.
"Sir," Niki finally said softly, "the water's clean."
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