CHAPTER NINE - *TRADE FAIR INTRIGUE

Over the next few weeks, Anna's obsession with Erik Fairchild only intensified. Her laptop became a portal into his world, and she spent every free moment scouring the internet for information about him. She created alerts for his name, following his business moves with rapt attention. When Erik's company acquired a small tech startup, Anna spent hours researching the deal, imagining the strategic discussions that must have taken place. "If I were advising Erik," she muttered to herself, scribbling notes, "I'd suggest expanding into the Asian market next. The potential for growth there is huge." Her roommate, Jenna, often found her like this - hunched over her laptop, muttering to herself, surrounded by scribbled notes and empty coffee cups. "Anna," Jenna said one evening, concern etched on her face. "Don't you have a big exam tomorrow?" Anna blinked, dragged back to reality. "What? Oh, yeah. I'll get to it in a bit. I just need to finish this article about Erik's latest philanthr