Page 150 of Succumbed

“I was,” Lex nods. “The Green Innovation Summit is an incredible annual event gathering the most promising innovators in the sustainability space. It was an honor to attend.”

“You were there to help Solum Technologies launch their first product?”

“More to cheer them on,” Lex demurs. “You should’ve seen the crowd during their presentation–they were hanging on every word. And after? The team at Solum has been busy.”

“What’s the secret to their success?”

Lex’s lips tip into a smile as she glances down. Linc reaches across my shoulders to grip Shane, shaking him lightly.

“I know,” Shane chuckles. “I see it.”

I glance between them. “See what?”

“That look.” Linc gestures at the television.

“What look?”

“Shut up and listen, asshole,” Shane urges.

I fall silent as Lex chuckles.

“There’s no secret formula to success in the startup world. If there was one, though, the three men behind Solum Technologies would have cracked it.”

My eyebrows climb. It’s high praise, particularly from someone who has personally coached some of the highest-valued startups in the country.

“Between them, they’re well-equipped to bridge their strategic, impactful ideas with the practical skills required to bring them to life. Shane Kelly and Lincoln Wilde are an impressive engineering team; Terra, the product they created, is the first of its kind. I suspect we’ll see a lot more from them, faster than you might expect.”

“You’ve been known to remind us that a business is more than its tech. How does that factor in here?”

Lex inclines her head. “I appreciate the question. Many successful startups flourish with innovative tech and strong direction, whether it comes from their internal leadership, a board, or investors. The ones with the highest potential, however, have leaders who possess something…intangible. A passion, a drive to motivate their team and achieve something great, paired with the business acumen to turn their vision into reality.”

She smiles again, the same as before, and Linc smacks my shoulder.

“Solum is lucky to have one such leader in Declan Wilde. He’s an innovator, an incredible businessman, and as fiercely passionate about the company’s potential global impact as he is their product.”

My chest tightens. I’m not sure I’m breathing. She’s talking about me. Me. The asshole who turned keeping her at arm’s length into a goddamn Olympic sport.

“I’m confident we've only seen the tip of the iceberg in terms of what Declan is capable of,” she continues. “Solum is a company to watch, to be sure, but if you’re smart, you’ll keep a close eye on Declan Wilde.”

Linc slaps my chest, gripping my shoulders and rocking me back and forth. “Did you hear that, you asshole?! Did that get through your thick skull?!”

He grins as he releases me, reaching up to high-five Shane over my head.

“I don’t….what just happened?”

I glance to the screen, where Lex is answering a new question, the conversation moving into another sector. Her expression is friendly and professional, but the warmth that had suffused her while she talked about Solum–talked about me–is gone.

“Were you listening?” Shane asks.

Turning to him, I scoff. “Of course I was.”

“You heard her, but did you listen?” he presses.

Frowning, I think back to what she said. “I can’t believe…after everything…”

“Yeah, asshole,” Linc goads me, punching my shoulder.

“Would you stop hitting me?” I bark, slapping his hands away. Surging to my feet, I start pacing in front of the television.

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