Chapter 4

The marble floors of Manhattan General's executive boardroom gleamed under the afternoon light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. I adjusted the simple black blazer I'd chosen for today's meeting, my reflection barely recognizable in the polished conference table. Gone were the designer suits and statement jewelry that had once defined Ivy Sterling. In their place sat someone who could pass for any mid-level consultant.

Perfect.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Chairman Morrison announced, his voice carrying the authority of thirty years in hospital administration, "I'd like to introduce our new special advisor from Sterling Biotech, Ms. Ivy... Parker."

The false name rolled off…