Queen Is Back
The first man continued. “There were also concerns about experimental procedures—”
“All approved by the National Medical Board, with oversight and compliance reports filed quarterly.” Jo handed them another packet with a tight smile. “Dates are highlighted for your convenience.”
They tried again. “A whistleblower suggested employees were under unsafe conditions—”
“I brought statements from every staff member, along with third-party lab safety reports,” I said, already sliding another folder across the table. “Not a single violation in three years.”
The woman on the panel frowned. “You seem… prepared.”
“I nearly died,” I said coolly, “and still managed to come here with facts. That’s how much this lab matters to me.”
Silence stretched.
I could see it—the way their confidence wavered. They weren’t expecting a fight. They were expecting someone broken. Fragile. Someone they could shut down quietly and never hear from again.
Too bad.
I leaned forward. “I know who’s behind this. And while I’m not going to name names in this room, I suggest you ask yourselves what precedent it sets if a man with influence can nearly kill a woman, then erase her life’s work because she had the audacity to survive.”
No one dared speak.
After a long pause, the chairwoman cleared her throat and said, “We will reconvene briefly to finalize our conclusion.”
They filed out like ducks in a line, eyes flicking between me and Jo.
The moment the door clicked shut, Jo turned to me, eyes wide.
“You bodied that.”
“I did,” I whispered, adrenaline pumping in my veins. “I really did.”
\---
Fifteen minutes later, the panel returned.
The chairwoman didn’t even sit.
“In light of the evidence presented, we find no grounds to sustain the suspension of Dr. De Luca’s research laboratory. Effective immediately, the facility is reinstated with all prior permissions and access.”
I nodded once, not giving them the satisfaction of tears or thank-yous.
They tried to ruin me.
And I won.
As we walked out of the building, sunlight warming my face, Jo looped her arm through mine.
“Oh, you just dropped a powerbomb on them,” she said gleefully. “I wish you could’ve seen the bald one sweat. And did you see the other guy try to Google ‘De Luca’ under the table?”
I smirked. “Oh, I saw.”
“I can’t believe Davenport thought he could actually pull this off.”
I exhaled sharply, the victory finally sinking in.
“I wish I could say it to his face,” I muttered. “Just once. In your face, Davenport. In your bloody, smug, wrinkled face.”
Jo threw her head back and cackled. “God, I love you.”
“Remind me to get the lab locks changed first thing tomorrow,” I added. “And hire someone to sweep for bugs.”
She nodded, already typing it into her tablet. “Done. And done.”
As we stepped into the waiting car, the weight on my shoulders lifted.
I’d gotten my lab back.
My name.
My identity.
My fight.
And this was only the beginning.
****
The room erupted in applause.
Not polite claps or forced cheers—the kind that makes your chest buzz. The kind you only hear when people are genuinely happy for you. When they saw the war you fought and knew you came out bloody, bruised, but still standing.
I stepped into the celebration dinner Rowan had organized, and honestly? It took me a full five seconds to process the sight.
Lights strung across the restaurant’s rooftop glowed like tiny stars, and everyone I knew—even some people I barely liked—stood on their feet, clapping like I’d just won an Olympic medal.
Jo had tears in her eyes as she yelled, “THE QUEEN HAS ARRIVED!”
I laughed as I was pulled into hug after hug. Flutes of champagne were passed around. Someone handed me a tiny cake with “Dr. Badass” scribbled in white frosting.
And then… he stepped forward.
Rowan.
Wearing a charcoal jacket, dark slacks, and that same stupidly handsome smirk that still managed to make my stomach flutter like I hadn’t seen it a thousand times.
He didn’t say anything at first.
Just looked at me.
And then—
One long, slow clap.
Sarcastic. Proud. Annoyingly charming.
The others joined in.
I shook my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you,” he said, walking closer, “are something else entirely.”
His arms wrapped around me in a tight, warm hug.
I let my eyes close for a second.
“I saw the footage,” he murmured in my ear. “You looked like you were built to be in that room.”
I pulled back, grinning. “I was.”
“I’m glad I didn’t try to argue with you last year. You would’ve destroyed me.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I did destroy you. Just took a little longer.”
We both laughed.
After speeches, cake, and way too many toasts, I tugged Rowan’s sleeve and leaned close. “Let’s get out of here.”
He looked at me, then at the crowd still buzzing behind us. “Sneaking out of your own party. I’m impressed.”
“I have my moments.”
He offered his hand. “Come on, then.”
\---
We walked down the quiet, cobblestone path that ran along the water behind the restaurant. The city lights glimmered against the river. The night air was crisp, but not cold.
He reached for my hand.
I let him take it.
And we just… walked.
Quiet at first.
Then laughter started bubbling between us—some shared memory from the hearing, a joke Jo made, the ridiculous cake.
It felt easy. Lighter than I remembered it ever being with him.
I didn’t realize how close we’d gotten until we both paused at a railing, looking out at the water.
I turned to say something—and his lips were already there.
Warm. Gentle. Familiar.
He kissed me like he was finally allowed to.
Like he’d been holding onto it for too long and didn’t want to waste the moment.
I kissed him back, my hand slipping up to the back of his neck.
A camera clicked.
Just one.
Then three more in quick succession.
Rowan and I froze at the exact same time.
He turned his head slightly, and sure enough, across the street—paparazzi. Three of them, half-hidden behind a car, flashing like strobe lights on the dance floor.
“Oh… shit,” I whispered, my stomach lurching. “That’s gonna be everywhere in the morning.”
Rowan’s hand stayed on my waist.
“Let them,” he said calmly. “Ignore it.”
I blinked at him. “Are you serious? That kiss was front-page bait. I could lose funding. Reputation. Gigi’s going to throw a chair at someone.”
He didn’t flinch. “You just won a government battle, reclaimed your research lab, and proved you’re not someone to mess with. Let them print whatever they want.”
“And when they say I slept my way to the top?”
He smiled, slow and dangerous. “Then I’ll sue every last one of them and buy the magazine.”
I laughed before I could stop myself.
He pulled me closer, his voice low. “You’re allow
ed to be seen, Remi. You’re allowed to live.”
The flashes continued behind us, but I didn’t turn again.
Instead, I leaned in.
One more kiss.
Softer this time.
Bolder.
Let them watch.
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