Gemotions

Her hands were clenched so tight her nails bit into her palms. The conference room lights seemed to be mocking her, casting a sterile glow on the presentation screens. “I don’t understand,” she repeated, her voice thin. The CEO, Mr. Henderson, just shrugged, a look of detached amusement on his face.

Earlier, she'd been giddy with excitement. Years of research, late nights fueled by coffee and desperation, all culminating in this… this shared project. Across the room, her rival, Mark, smirked, leaning back in his chair like he owned the place.

She felt a hot flush crawl up her neck. He’d stolen it. Or, worse, the company had just given it to both of them and it was a test. A test she'd already failed, it seemed. She would not back down.