[EVE]

    I took some time before class started to catch up with my team for updates on my business and investments.

    It was a quick meeting, but one I couldn''t skip. Running a business portfolio while juggling everything else in my life wasn''t easy, but I''d built a team I could rely on.

    First up was Michael, my go-to guy for all things tech. We met at a quiet cafe? near campus—a perfect blend of professionalism and comfort. He was already waiting, typing furiously on his laptop when I arrived.

    "Michael, do you ever stop working?" I teased as I slid into the seat across from him.

    He looked up with a grin. "I wouldn''t have to if a certain someone actually did her job instead of dumping all the work on me."

    I chuckled. "Fair point. So, what''s the latest with NanotechLyf? Please tell me we''re not about to blow billions of dollars on some fancy microchips that won''t even work."

    "Ah, Eve, your faith in humanity is touching," Michael said with a mock sigh. "But actually, things are going great. The team has made significant progress on the nano-capsule project. Remember the one we discussed a couple of months ago? The capsule that can deliver medicine to specific cells?"

    I nodded, intrigued. "The one that was supposed to make targeted drug delivery a reality. Is it working?"

    "Not just working—it''s exceeding expectations," Michael said, his voice rising with excitement. "The trials showed a 90% accuracy rate in targeting affected cells, and the side effects are significantly lower than traditional treatments."

    "90%? That''s incredible! Does that mean we''re ready to move to the next phase?" I asked, leaning forward.

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    Michael shrugged, but his smile gave away his pride. "We''re not there yet, but we''re close. We''re ironing out a few kinks, mostly related to scaling production. You know, the boring logistical stuff."

    I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "Boring to you, maybe. To me, it sounds like money in the making. Keep me updated on that. I want to know the moment we hit the next milestone."

    Michael gave a mock salute. "You got it, boss."

    I laughed, shaking my head. "Okay, enough business. What else is new? You look a little too cheerful for someone buried in nanotechnology. Got a secret I should know about?"

    Michael smirked. "Maybe I''m just enjoying life. Speaking of which, how was your little getaway to Germany? Did you finally take a break, or were you micromanaging your hotel stay?"

    "Of course I did!" he said, his grin widening. "You can''t run forever, Eve. This is your project. You need to show up. I''m good, but I can''t be you. You''re the owner after all."

    I sighed, letting my head fall back dramatically. "Fine, fine. I''ll dive into it . . . tomorrow."

    Michael groaned. "Tomorrow? Eve!"

    "What?" I said, laughing. "It''s not like the prototype is going anywhere. Besides, you''re the genius here. You don''t need me breathing down your neck, right?"

    He gave me a long, unimpressed look. "You know what? I take it back. You don''t need me for therapy; you need an intervention. Maybe I''ll organize one after I finish your work."

    I waved him off playfully. "You''re such a drama queen."

    He smirked. "And you''re such a slacker. But you''re lucky you''re charming, or I''d have quit ages ago."

    "Noted," I said, standing up and stretching. "And seriously, Michael, thanks for keeping things running. I know I give you a hard time, but you''re the best."

    He grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, yeah. Just remember that the next time you''re tempted to skip another meeting."

    I laughed, grabbing my bag. "I''ll think about it."

    As I turned to leave, Michael called out, "Hey, Eve?"

    "Yeah?" I looked back.

    "Next time you jet off somewhere, bring me back something cool, like . . . a giant beer mug or something. I could use it to hold all the coffee I need to deal with you."

    I laughed, shaking my head. "Deal. But only if you promise to keep being the genius who makes me good money."

    Michael gave me a thumbs-up, his grin as sharp as ever. "You''ve got yourself a deal, boss. Now go do some actual work."

    I waved him off with a grin, leaving the cafe? with a mix of guilt and amusement. Maybe tomorrow, I really would get back to work.

    Maybe.