Chapter 4: The Woman in White
"She has no authority here."
Celeste said it to the directors, but she looked at me.
The audit chair had ordered the atrium cleared of guests. Reporters were being moved to the lobby, where they continued filming through the glass walls. Staff rolled shut the partitions around the board table.
The silver crown remained on my sister's head.
My father stood at the center of the new enclosure as if walls could restore his control.
"Evelyn has not worked for Sterling Biotech in five years," he said. "She represents a competitor and has an obvious personal grievance."
"One fact is correct," a man said behind me.
Julian Mercer entered through the partition.
He wore a black dinner jacket without a tie, and he carried no folder. He did not need one. Rhea Malik walked beside him with two document cases and the expression of a woman who billed by the interruption.
Every director recognized Julian.
Mercer Nova Therapeutics had spent the last seven years becoming the company Sterling executives pretended not to watch. Smaller, stricter, and increasingly difficult to dismiss.
Celeste gave a brittle laugh.
"There it is. I wondered how long Evelyn would make us wait before introducing the man financing her revenge."
Julian looked at me, not her.
"Would you like me to answer?"
It was a simple question. It changed the room.
Nathan used to answer for me before I realized he was doing it. My father still believed permission was something he granted after making the decision himself.
Julian waited.
"Only confirm my position," I said.
He faced the board.
"Dr. Evelyn Sterling is the chief scientific officer of Mercer Nova Therapeutics. She was appointed eleven months ago after an independent review of her research record. She directs our AURORA-adjacent development program, subject to an external safety board."
Murmurs moved around the table.
Celeste's eyes sharpened. "AURORA-adjacent?"
"We do not use names we do not own," Julian said.
Rhea placed the first case on the table.
"I represent Helena Research Trust," she said. "Not Mercer Nova, not Sterling Biotech, and not Dr. Sterling personally. The trust authorized tonight's notices."
My father studied her. "The trust has used the same outside firm for years."
"That firm resigned last month after identifying a conflict."
Nathan's attention shifted to her. "What conflict?"
"Your office asked it to certify that Sterling owned rights the firm could not verify."
The audit chair held out her hand. Rhea gave her the authorization.
Celeste stepped beside Nathan.
"This is theater. Evelyn found a rival CEO, installed friendly counsel, and timed an agency notice to destroy my appointment."
"The agency chose its timing," Rhea said.
"And Mercer Nova receives the license if Sterling loses it?"
"A limited development license is under independent review. Mr. Mercer has recused himself from its approval."
Julian took an empty chair against the wall rather than one at the board table.
He had done exactly what I asked. No speech about protecting me. No threat to crush my family. No attempt to turn my return into proof of his power.
That seemed to unsettle Celeste more than arrogance would have.
My father opened the authorization and read the signature page.
"You are the trust's designated scientific representative," he said to me.
"For the compliance review."
"You arranged this before coming home."
"I did not come home. I came to a board meeting."
The audit chair almost smiled.
Nathan began sorting the documents Rhea had provided. "Even if the trust retained some historical interest, Sterling funded every later stage. The company owns the improvements, the data, and the current program."
"That is one possible argument," Rhea said.
"It is the agreement."
I walked to the dark screen and placed my hand on the table beneath it.
"Then let's begin with the easiest question."
Celeste folded her arms. "Which is?"
I looked at the woman wearing my mother's crown.
"Who owns the patent?"