d, and with it, the Nat

on accolades, before Chloe found a way t

n more innovative. I'd poured a

it weakness, or a deliberate test?

y impressed, offerin

ish part of

massive convention ce

rly, setting

I s

ain stage: "Introducing Te

od ran

spotlight, was being inter

ing with pride, his arm pos

nd, his face pale, his eyes

ehind Chloe, her app

irect, undeniable c

UI elements I'd spe

brought to life

e was we

pass ne

I'd given Noah for his eighteenth bir

e lost it years ago

oe's throat, a glittering troph

steps measured, my anger

I said, my voic

icrosecond before snapping back into plac

it! Isn't it amazing? I've be

talking about, Ava? Chloe designed this herself. Don't be je

sation was so pre

to Noah. He woul

at. "You saw my wireframes.

g down at his shoes

e was his

e again, Noah," I told him, the words falli

"And your loyalty, Liam

eaving them to t

s a bitter pill, b

scalating t

wou

Chloe's "twisted ankle,"

ft was the

, a dull ache in my head from where I'd hit it after Chl

e she feigned trying to save me, then feigned her own peril. Liam and Noah, witnessing from below, had naturally rushed to "save" Chloe fi

tepped her initial "stumble." Chloe, realizing her plan had partially failed, had the

twisted ankle," which was barely even swollen), Liam and Noah

, his tone more scolding than sympathetic. "Chloe could have been

greement. "Yeah, you

me. No concern for my a

phant smirk when they weren't looking, before wi

cing on the cake: "Guess they care more about

still vivid, st

e so pre

rities wer

t just stood by; he had actively helped her steal my work. The compa

y escape, couldn'

onths of their presence, the

fresh piece of evidence, o

m, Noah, and Chloe were in, of course. Their f

, Chloe at the center, b

ed quietly, a thick envelop

who was ecstatic. I ha

nfused when I didn't shar

, frowning. "Aren't you excited?

" I'd lied smoothly. "I'l

ept them from questioni

sorbed, too focused o

ould naturally follow the

infuriating and, now,