From Genius Betrayed to Love Redeemed

. The air was thick with anticipation. Twelve of the protégées stood in a line on the stage, th

ce commanding the room. Liam was beside him, hi

a C

ified by the speakers, "we have a winner. The creator of the AI that has shown the most

rotégées gasped. Their heads whipped towards Maya, then towards Ava.

to her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at

sense of satisfaction settled in her stoma

muttered under her breath. "Maya' s code was basic j

one whispered back, filled with jealousy.

noring the rules of the compet

team to help her develop Nexus to its final stage," he declared. "And,

dercurrent of shock and envy was undeniable. Wh

Ava? I thought she

ust hype. She spent more time

kdown last month. Maybe

ould have. Now, they were just noise. She walked past them all

s side, pulling her into a possessive embrac

loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"Oh, Liam. I only did it for you. Now... about that promise yo

rt flutter. "Don' t worry. I' m going to hold him

their shared childhood. Only cold, dismissive triumph. He was looking at her as if she w

ist, a deliberate display for Ava' s benefit. It was

ache of unrequited love and public humiliatio

edicated ten years o

even looked at her twic

rl. She really though

s a failure. She had given up the prize to save her l