Chapter 3 Report

'I'm really sorry, Samuel. I didn't mean to cross you, but are you sure you're pulling out of the nationals?'

'Yeah.'

The guy was just a suspect for now. Without further proof, I could not tell him that he was already on my list.

Zack came with a surprise. He was relentless about getting the complete code for the robot, but he said it was purely academic. I did give him a lot of codes for robots of different purposes. He took them all. Every single time, he could come up with a new excuse. I wondered if shame existed in the guy.

My latest robot was multifunctional, all-purpose, even. I learned from my mistakes and created the machine. Still, I didn't refuse Zack. All I did was delete part of the code and handed the rest to him.

Zack was elated. He promised me dinner, and it would be right before the nationals. I took him up on his offer, but there were unexpected guests at the venue. Yvonne and Dick.

Yvonne noticed my lack of warmth, and she stepped in for her true love right away. "Hey, at least smile a little. Honestly, you have a forever resting bitch face."

The whole world knew that Yvonne was pursuing Dick, and she did not make it subtle either.

Zack held her back and whispered something into her ear. That made her quiet down.

I arched my eyebrow but made no further scene.

In my previous life, Dick did not pursue robotics any further after he made a name for himself. Instead, he quickly hooked up with a loaded local lady.

He obviously saw my sister as his simp. "You just started making robots this year, Dick?"

"Yeah, but I've always had an interest in them since I was a kid. It just took me a long time before I started making one."

"Can I see your work, then?"

That wiped the smile off Dick's face. Yvonne stepped in again.

"Drop the sarcasm! You're not the only genius in this world!"

"What got you so worked up? Are you… up to something?"

I was in no mood for pleasantries or theatrics. My eyes were fixed on Dick. The guy was getting nervous, but he held his back up straight.

Zack played the mediator again. He even offered me a vacation overseas just to say sorry. The flight was scheduled for the next morning.

The trio was in a hurry to lead me on a detour, so I played along. However, I went to the nationals the next day and took a seat in the audience zone. I watched as Dick shone brilliantly using the code I developed.

He quickly went viral, and the Internet called him the handsome genius. The panel could not stop their praise, and they even derided me while they were at it.

I disguised myself, so Zack did not notice me, though he was right in front of me. He was complaining to the people around him about how arrogant I was and how I bought my way up the world of academia. He even told them I wasn't as smart and capable as I made myself out to be.

I said, "At least I'm better than someone who shows off with my designer stuff all the time."

Shocked, Zack swiveled around. "You were supposed to be on the flight!"

I tossed the ticket back at him and scoffed. This man was not worth my time. My suspicions were confirmed. He would get his just desserts.

Then, I spoke into the megaphone. Yes, I brought one for the occasion. "There's a thief up there! Dick Woody stole my code!"

My voice echoed throughout the venue. The host froze midway through their unending praise for Dick. A beam of light rained on me, and everyone fell into silence.

The host said, "Please come to the stage."

I went up to the stage. The big screen was showing Dick and his cracking composure.

Before I could say anything, Yvonne accused me first. "So, that's why you were so mean to Dick yesterday! You're jealous of him! You're doing this on purpose! Tell them! Tell everyone that you made the code yourself! I dare you!"

My parents were present too. They roared at me, demanding that I get off the stage. I ignored them. My eyes were locked onto Dick as I slowly closed in on him.

He tried to say something, but not a single word came out. Then, he slumped to the ground, his ankle sprained. "I don't know what you're talking about, Samuel."

Still stubborn. He would never give in until irrefutable proof was staring him in the face. I snickered and fished a flash drive out of my pocket.

He tried to snatch it from me without even thinking. But when he realized what he was doing, it was too late. His hand hung in midair, and gasps rippled across the audience.