Chapter 2

"As for your project, I only threw my full support behind it because Mira was interested. Now that it's wrapping up, it's time you were sensible and stepped aside."

This was what Shane had meant by shaping me.

He had crushed my family until the Holcrofts were the only ones the Danforths could turn to, and he still expected us to fall over ourselves with gratitude.

He had supported my career, only to snatch away all the credit at the last moment just to make Mira smile.

I shot up from the couch, grabbed the glass of water on the table, and threw it all over him.

My voice shook violently, yet every word was full of hatred. "Shane Holcroft, you bastard!"

The moment the words left my mouth, I stormed out and headed straight for the office of my advisor, Professor Rupert Bastow.

When it came to digging up the Holcroft family graves, I refused to wait another second.

I shoved open his office door in a rage, only to find the team leader, Duncan Stokes, and Mira inside as well.

"Leila, perfect timing. That saves us the trouble of tracking you down. After some discussion, the committee has decided that Mira Sutton will take over as the team's chief consultant, effective immediately.

"You'll be moving to logistics. Just focus on supporting everyone. The work's a lot lighter too."

I took a deep breath and fought back tears as I confronted the team leader. "This is what you all have decided? I don't accept it. I know my own body, and I—"

Duncan waved a hand, signaling for Professor Bastow to calm me down. Then he turned to leave with Mira. On his way out, he lowered his voice in warning. "Mira has the Holcroft family behind her. They're funding every project we have, so don't go picking a fight you can't win."

I forced down the hatred filling my chest and let out a cold laugh.

In the past, Shane had never let anyone know about our relationship so that there would be no hint of favoritism. Yet now he was openly abusing his influence to back Mira.

Professor Bastow poured a cup of tea, handed it to me, and gestured toward his computer screen. On it was a confidentiality agreement for none other than the survey of the Holcroft family burial ground!

"Don't fight them over something this small. If this project succeeds, there's no limit to how far you'll go."

I steadied myself and pushed the unpleasantness out of my mind.

Professor Bastow was right. As long as I pulled this project off, my future would be limitless, and the Holcrofts would be ruined beyond repair.

The project was so significant that it was kept strictly confidential. During the day, I carried on with my logistics duties as usual, and only at night did I go out with a few members of the secret team to survey the Holcroft family burial ground.

After several days of this, I could not help feeling worn out, yet the one yawn I let slip happened to catch Mira's eye.

"Leila, since you've got enough free time to yawn, why don't you dig open the tomb entrance for us?"

Digging open the entrance was a necessary part of any archaeological survey. It was grueling, exhausting work, and all it did was pave the way for someone else to take the credit.

My mind was on that night's confidential project, and I had no interest in arguing with Mira. I was about to reach for the tools when a burning sting shot across the back of my hand.

Mira had slapped my hand away and grabbed the tools first. "We're heading down into the burial chamber, so we'll need extra tools just in case. You're a genius, Leila. I'm sure digging the entrance with your bare hands won't be a problem."

The moment she said it, almost everyone turned to look at me.

Once a celebrated genius consultant, I had been reduced to hauling tools for everyone and handing out boxed lunches. That was bad enough, yet now I was expected to dig open the entrance with my bare hands.

I swallowed my humiliation and spoke coldly. "I won't hold your lack of expertise against you, Ms. Sutton, but digging the entrance by hand takes far too long. If it rains, it could easily cave in, and you—"

Before I could finish, Shane barked at me, "Leila, don't forget your place! Mira is the technical consultant now. If she tells you to dig with your bare hands, then you'll keep digging until dark!"

As the largest sponsor, Shane only had to shoot them a look before two eager team members stepped forward, shoved me to the edge of the entrance, and stood over me while I dug with my bare hands.

One hour in, five or six of my nails had broken, and I bit down hard on my lip to endure it. Three hours in, all ten of my fingertips were scraped raw and bleeding, staining the dirt red.

Five hours in, a sudden downpour hit. I was soaked to the bone and my vision blurred, yet I kept digging on instinct alone.

Seven hours in, I finally managed to open the entrance. Almost completely drained, I forced myself back toward my tent.

On the way, I ran right into the rest of the team returning loaded with finds. Everyone was in high spirits, while I was a complete mess.