Chapter 136

Claire's POV The morning had started with the kind of determined optimism that comes from facing a crisis head-on. Despite yesterday's devastating news about Pills Pharmaceuticals stealing our research, I'd dressed with particular care—a navy blazer that projected competence, my hair pulled back in a style that said I was ready for battle. Today would be about damage control, legal strategies, and proving that our innovations belonged to VM Group regardless of who had rushed them to market first. The drive to the office passed in comfortable silence, my mind already organizing the day's priorities. Meet with the legal team about intellectual property protections. Review our research timeline to establish clear dates of development. Contact industry colleagues who could testify to our breakthrough's originality. The mating bond hummed with Theo's steady presence, his confidence flowing through our connection like a warm current of support. But the moment I pulled into VM Group's parking