Chapter 54

Aurelia's POV

He leaned back, still smiling. “Not everyone can explain it like you just did.”

I ignored the flutter in my chest and tapped my pen against the table. “So why are you suddenly investing in pipeline projects if you already know the risks?”

“Energy’s changing,” he said, folding his hands. “Everyone wants renewables, but gas isn’t going away soon. If we build smarter lines now, we keep control later. Nigeria’s basin is on my list next.”

“You mean the Niger Delta,” I said, watching him carefully.

“Among others,” he said. “Your department’s work on soil movement down there is impressive. I’ve read the reports.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You actually read university reports?”

“I read anything that makes me money,” he said with a small grin.

I tried to hide my own smile and failed. “At least you’re honest.”

He rested his chin on one hand, eyes still on me. “So, if you were in charge of a cross-continental pipeline, where would you start?”

I looked down at my notes, pretending to think. “First, I’d hire a team that listens to geologists instead of investors.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough. But where?”

“Somewhere we can study long-term ground stability. No shortcuts. And we’d need a lot of baseline data—soil cores, seismic mapping, water tables. Without that, you’re asking for a disaster.”

“You’d cost me a fortune,” he said, but there was no irritation in his voice.

“It would cost you more if the line bursts,” I shot back. “Contamination. People could for. And compensation costs will be more than what you spend if you do it properly.”

His smile widened. “You know, you’re not easy to argue with.”

“Good,” I said, finally letting a small grin show. “Means I’m doing something right.”

It was silent for a bit except for the clicks of keyboards, the faint ring of a phone.

He broke the silence first. “You always talk like this?”

“Like what?” I asked.

“Like you’re three steps ahead of everyone else. I thought that was a me thing.”

I tilted my head. “It’s called doing my homework.”

He laughed softly and shook his head. “Remind me never to underestimate you again.”

“Maybe you should remind yourself to leave me alone,” I said, trying to bring back the edge in my voice.

His eyes glinted with something unreadable. “If I did that, I wouldn’t get to hear you talk about sinkholes and salt domes.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That’s not a reason to bother me.”

“It’s a good reason to listen,” he said. He stood, smoothing his jacket with an easy motion. “Thanks for the lesson, Lia.”

“Don’t call me that,” I said quickly.

He smiled without apology. “See you at the next meeting.”

\-he began to walk away from me but then he stopped. “Oh, Lia, did you ever get your heart checked at the doctor’s?” he asked, brushing a hand across the back of his neck.

I rolled my eyes. “There’s no need for that. I’m fine,” I said, lifting the tablet in my hand like proof that I was standing and breathing.

“Just do it," he said, then walked away. Then greeted Dr Yusuf who was approaching.

“Ah, Aurelia,” Dr Yusuf said. “I see you’re already speaking with our new investor.”

I straightened. “Yes, sir. Things are going well,” I said.

He stopped beside me, giving Clara a polite nod before looking back at me. “How’s everything coming along?”

“It’s good,” I said. “Mr Moretti is looking into Nigeria. He’ll need a lot of geological consultation if the project moves forward. I told him we can provide that.”

Dr Yusuf smiled a little, his eyes narrowing with interest. “Yes, we can,” he said. “Good work.”

I gave a small nod. “Thank you.”

He shifted his attention back to me. “Are you open to field work, Aurelia?”

“Of course, Mr Yusuf,” I said without hesitation.

His brows rose. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I said. “Why?”

“Because you’re a woman,” he said nonchalantly.

”I'm not sure what that is supposed to mean, but I'm sure my gender doesn’t matter.”

He nodded slowly. “You know you’ll be undermined out in the field. I won’t pretend otherwise.”

“I can handle it,” I said. “If the work is part of the project, I want to be there.”

Dr Yusuf gave a low hum and looked me over as if measuring something. “It would be good for your internship,” he said at last. “It will give you experience before you return to college.”

“That’s what I want,” I said.

He gave a small smile, the kind that showed only at the edges of his mouth. “We’ll discuss it later,” he said.

I nodded and watched him walk out.

The rest of the day was exhausting. There were a lot of things I had to do according to Clara and honestly, it just seemed like because I was an intern they were trying to pile the work on me.

By the time the last files were sent and the office lights dimmed, the halls were almost silent. I packed my bag, checked my phone for the ride confirmation, and stepped out into the night air. The breeze carried the smell of rain on hot concrete. I stood near the curb, scrolling through a few messages while waiting.

Headlights swept across the lot. My phone buzzed. Your driver has arrived. I looked up to see a dark sedan pull up. The plate number matched. I opened the back door, slid inside, and gave the driver a quick nod.

“Good evening,” he said, eyes on the road as he tapped something on the dashboard screen.

“Evening,” I said, pulling the seat belt across my chest.

The car eased forward, the city lights blurring past. I leaned back, pulling out my phone again.

A faint sound came from behind me, soft enough that I thought it was the seat shifting. Before I could turn, an arm shot around my neck. A hand clamped over my mouth. The pressure was sudden and hard. My phone slipped from my fingers and hit the floor.

I tried to scream, but the hand muffled every sound. I kicked out, catching the edge of the seat, but the grip only tightened. The man behind me pressed something over my eyes, blocking out the streetlights.

Darkness closed in.