A week later, Vanguard Technologies released the shortlist.

Twelve companies made it in. Rowan Group and Pinnacle Industries were both on it.

There was still a month until the final bid. Rowan Group held team meetings nonstop, and Julian was so busy his feet barely touched the ground.

In half a month, he’d trained the team to the brink.

No one dared complain. Julian was a notorious ruthless, exploitative tyrant. Even the bolder ones only ...