Gwen & Helen — Science Finds a Rhythm
Ashborn Labs buzzed with quiet energy.
Holographic screens floated in the air. Machines hummed softly. White light reflected off polished floors.
Helen Cho stood in front of a projection, scrolling through data.
"…Your infrastructure is insane," she muttered.
Gwen smiled proudly. "Alex doesn't cut corners."
Helen glanced at her. "I can tell."
They spent hours together.
Talking regeneration theory.
Cellular scaffolding.
Nanite-assisted healing.
Ethical limits.
Gwen leaned over a console. "If we stabilize the growth phase here—"
Helen's eyes lit up. "—we eliminate rejection entirely."
They stared at each other.
Then laughed.
"That's it," Gwen said. "That's the missing piece."
From that moment on, they clicked.
Not just coworkers.
Scientists.
Market Release
Within days, Helen finalized her first selections.
Two cosmetic products:
A skin-regeneration serum with zero side effects An age-repair formula that restored cellular elasticity naturally
Two medicines:
A rapid tissue-repair injection A non-invasive organ regeneration stabilizer
Ashborn Labs released them quietly.
The market exploded.
Hospitals praised them.
Doctors demanded supply.
Cosmetic companies panicked.
Helen stared at the reports in disbelief.
"…This worked."
Gwen grinned. "Of course it did."
Alex approved full funding.
And then—
He signed the next document.
Regeneration Cradle: Fully Funded
Helen exhaled shakily.
She'd dreamed of this.
She looked at Alex through the glass wall of his office.
And smiled.
Jennifer's First Legal Crisis
Ashborn Holdings.
Jennifer Walters sat at her desk when the alert came in.
Hostile acquisition attempt.
False regulatory claims.
Media pressure.
She read it once.
Then smiled.
"…Amateurs."
She moved calmly.
Filed counter-documents.
Exposed false data.
Triggered a compliance audit—on them.
Within six hours—
The opposing firm withdrew.
Within twelve—
They issued a public apology.
Jennifer closed the file.
Case solved.
The Bonus
Alex called her upstairs.
She entered the chairman's office.
He looked up.
"Well done," he said.
She handed over the report.
"Routine," she replied.
Alex tapped a few keys.
Her tablet chimed.
Jennifer glanced down.
Her eyes widened.
"…This bonus—"
"Earned," Alex said simply.
Her cheeks warmed.
"…Thank you."
She hesitated.
Then added quietly, "I'll make sure this doesn't happen again."
Alex nodded. "I know."
She left the office.
Heart racing.
She realized something then.
She wanted to see him again.
Three times a week.
Four.
At least.
Similar Thoughts
Helen felt the same.
She passed Alex in the hallway later that day.
He nodded to her.
"Good work."
Her face warmed instantly.
"…Thank you."
She walked away.
Smiling.
She wanted to see him again.
Often.
Not for work.
Just—
Him.
Quiet Realizations
That night—
Gwen leaned back in her chair.
"…You know," she said casually, "you're smiling a lot."
Helen blinked. "Am I?"
Gwen smirked. "Yes."
Helen looked away.
"…He believes in my work."
Gwen nodded. "That's dangerous."
Helen laughed softly. "Very."
Ashborn Holdings thrived.
Ashborn Labs advanced the world.
And without realizing it—
Two brilliant women had found not just purpose—
But someone they wanted to see again.