Chapter 8: The ShieldThe client, Mr. Sterling, was a relic from a bygone corporate era—all cigar smoke and condescension. The dinner was a crucial final pitch for Project Chimera, and from the moment they sat down, Sterling’s eyes had lingered on Elara in a way that made her skin crawl.“And this must be the brilliant Elara Archer,” he’d said, taking her hand and holding it a beat too long. “They didn’t mention you were so… photogenic. We’ll have to get you in front of the cameras.”Elara’s smile was tight. “My expertise is in the data, Mr. Sterling, not in front