Read Chapter 28: — MAYA’S NAME

Maya stopped hiding.

Not because the site suddenly became free of sexism. It did not.

But the rumour episode had changed her approach. She began speaking openly about being Graham’s adopted daughter when relevant and just as openly rejecting any implication that this explained her technical role.

Her work made the strongest argument.

On the long viaduct package she identified a sequencing conflict between temporary falsework removal and an adjacent access operation. The original plan was technically possible but created unnecessary risk.

Her revised sequence saved two days and simplified the exclusion zone.

The client’s engineering manager praised her directly.

Graham said, “Good catch.”

Maya stared at him.

“What?”

“That’s all?”

“You want balloons?”

“I want public recognition.”

Graham turned to the room.

“Everyone, my daughter would like applause.”

Maya threw a pen at him.

Daniel nearly fell out of his chair laughing.

For years she had feared being known as Graham Bennett’s daughter.

Now she could be both things at once.

Daughter.

Engineer.

Neither cancelled the other.