Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Both Tobias and Russell snapped their heads toward her . " You know about it ? " Tobias asked , one eyebrow cocked . " Yup . " Kaia said with a quick nod . 13 55 vouchers This morning , the head honcho at the institute had shot her a message , saying they'd locked in the 28th . He even asked if the date worked for her , ready to switch it up if it didn't . " How'd you get the scoop ? " Tobias leaned in , eyes narrowing . Kaia hesitated , her brow furrowing . " Can't spill the beans , but I'm telling you , it's set for the 28th . " Russell tugged Tobias aside , dropping his voice to a whisper . " Dude , she's driving me up the wall . If she wasn't hot , I'd lose it . I've met braggers , but she's on another level ." Tobias stroked his chin , sizing Kaia up . He had a killer instinct for spotting lies , but her face ? Her tone ? Not a single red flag . " Hey , Tobias , " Russell piped up , " my dad says all of Morganburg - no , all of Wustriland - is losing it over this . Every big - shot corporation's itching to team up with Dr. Bennett's institute for those nanomaterial rights . " Your family's sitting this out , right ? This tech's a cash cow ! Whoever gets it is set for life ." Russell was practically vibrating with excitement . " We're in the game , " Tobias said , cool as ever . " But we're playing it smart . Yeah , Our family's got deep pockets in Morganburg , but this nanomaterial's got every major player in Wustriland scrapping . No guarantee we'll win ." Kaia's gaze flicked to Tobias . " You really want that deal ? " Tobias met her eyes , pausing for a second . " What , you got some kind of hookup ? " Kaia nodded , " Mr. Moreno saved my skin once . If you're serious about the deal , I can make it happen . " Oh , come on ! " Russell threw his hands up , his polite act crumbling . " Kaia , I'm speaking for Tobias here - thanks , but no thanks . He's got this . " " No biggie ," Kaia said with a shrug , " One phone call , and it's done . " 1/4 11:45 pm Chapter 11 55 vouchers Russell shot up , voice spiking . " Are you kidding me ? I'm only holding back ' cause you're a lady , but you gotta quit while you're ahead ! " " Chill , man , " Tobias said , standing up . " But she's just- " Russell sputtered . " Look , this engagement's just Grandpa's dumb idea . One month , and we're done . Total strangers . Why get worked up over her ? " Even with Tobias's logic , Russell was still steaming . Kaia could tell they thought she was full of it . No surprise there - her own parents never believed her either . Whatever . No use arguing , ' she told herself . " I keep my word , " she said calmly . " For Mr. Moreno's sake , come the 28th , the institute's gonna announce the Moreno Group as their partner ." With that , Kaia didn't hang around . She stood and walked out . " I'm over it , " Russell groaned , slumping back down . " Tobias , I feel for you , man . A month with her ? Torture . She's all talk . This is gonna be the biggest stain on your rep . " Tobias's eyes lingered on Kaia's retreating figure before he switched topics . " Forget her . You lock in that meeting with Queen K ? " Russell sipped his tea , cooling off . " Yeah , it's set . They said we'll meet up after the nanomaterial reveal for a showdown . " " Why wait till after ? " Tobias frowned . Russell thought for a sec . " What if Queen K's at the reveal ? Or , like , maybe they're gunning for the nanomaterial rights too ? " Tobias nodded . ' Makes sense . If that's the case , we might bump into them at the event . A few days later , Russell barreled into Tobias's office like his hair was on fire . " Dude ! Holy crap , Tobias ! This is huge ! " he exclaimed . Tobias glanced up from his desk , shoving his papers aside . " The launch , huh ? " " You heard ? " Russell's eyes were practically popping out . He gulped , then barreled on . " It's freaking wild , man ! The 28th ! It's really the 28th ! " 2/4 11:45 pm Chapter 11 55 vouchers This morning , while scarfing down breakfast , Russell had overheard his parents talking about the nanomaterial launch date being set in stone . Not a day early or late - bam , the 28th . " Kaia ... she totally called it ! " Russell said , still shook . Tobias leaned back , fingers laced , thinking back to Kaia's words at the villa a few days ago . His gut said she wasn't blufling and damn , she'd nailed it . " How the hell did she know before us ? " Russell said , scratching his head , totally lost . " Maybe Grandpa got the scoop early and tipped her off ," Tobias said with a shrug . Russell slapped the desk , like he'd just solved a mystery . " Bingo ! No way Kaia , that total flake , figured this out solo . Bet Mr. Moreno fed her the deets to make her look good for you . Probably wants you to think she's a big deal , using his insane connections . " Tobias nodded . That made sense . " Did Mr. Moreno say you gotta take her to the launch ? " Russell asked , leaning in . " Cause , dude , don't . She's all hot air . You bring her to a room full of heavy hitters , and she spouts some dumb crap ? You're done for . Total embarrassment . " Russell winced at the thought . " Grandpa hasn't said squat about it ," Tobias replied . " Thank God , " Russell said , wiping fake sweat off his brow . " But if he pushes you to bring her , lose her on the way , man . I'm not kidding . " " Achoo ! " Kaia sneezed as she walked home from school . Who's yapping about me now ? ' she wondered . Just then , a ridiculous sports car roared up , its trunk stuffed with tacky red roses . It screeched to a stop , and Philip , the driver , leaned out with a huge bouquet , grinning like he was hot stuff . Hey , Kaia , grab dinner with me ? " he said , slicking back his hair like a cheap movie star . Kaia eyed the roses , then him , her voice flat . " You hitting on me or what ? " Philip smirked . " Smart girl . I like that . " " You're Casey's boyfriend , right ? " she shot back . " Yeah , Casey's my girl ," he said , all smug . " But say the word , and I'll ditch her . " 3/4 11:46 pm Chapter 11 55 vouchers He was clearly betting his charm and fat wallet would have Kaia falling all over him . Kaia's eyes narrowed , her tone ice - cold . " You dumping her ain't my business , dude . " And , no shade , but your face ? Not making me hungry . You think flashing some cash makes every girl swoon ? " Philip's little fortune didn't mean jack to Kaia . Money ? She had more than she could spend . In that moment , Philip's mind flashed to the guy who'd rolled up to the school gate in that sleek , limited - edition Maybach to pick Kaia up . His smirk faded , and he leaned closer , all cocky . " Oh , please , Kaia . That guy who picked you up at school ? Hired to make you look cool , right ? " And that Maybach ? Nice touch . What'd you do to score it ? Flash a little ... charm ? " Before he could finish , Philip let out a squeal like a stuck pig . " Ah ! " AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!