Chapter 3

In Kennedy's new social media post, he added a caption along with the video, stating, "Isn't it ridiculous to plagiarize someone else's invention and pass it off as your own?"

I felt my heart skip a beat as a terrifying possibility came to mind. The massive wave of online abuse I faced in my past life might have been triggered by this video.

Kennedy was well-liked online. His parents were professors, and his sister was a journalist. I, on the other hand, was just a plain-looking researcher who had remained out of the public eye. It was only natural that the public's sympathy had tilted in his favor.

Just as I expected, the video soon gained tens of thousands of comments and shares.

"Who could be so shameless as to steal Kennedy's invention?"

"You have to tell your sister right away, Kennedy! Have her expose this through mainstream media so that this plagiarist gets blacklisted from the industry!"

"You have nothing to be afraid of, Kennedy! We've got your back! Who's going to dox this plagiarist?"

I couldn't hold back my rage anymore after reading those comments. I felt like I was reliving the nightmare of my past life. I had received thousands of hateful messages every day back then. I had held Mom and Dad's funeral while still devastated by their deaths at the hands of extremist fans.

Those online trolls disrupted the funeral, smashed my parents' portraits, and intentionally brought party poppers to celebrate.

"You're a shameless social climber and plagiarist! Your parents must have been just as awful as you. They got what they deserved!"

"Your parents are both dead, so you should join them! Your shameless family deserves to be entirely wiped out!"

I couldn't protect the people around me and had developed severe depression in my past life. I suddenly couldn't catch my breath as the agonizing memories flooded back. I instinctively turned off my phone, but not before I saw my name in the latest comments.

"Is Kennedy referring to Callum? I saw their lab announce an upcoming invention before, and it looked really similar to Kennedy's!"

"Are you serious? I can't believe someone would actually dare to plagiarize another person so openly! That's so shameless of him! Someone call him out and tag him!"

"Who is this nobody? How dare he copy Kennedy's invention and try to use his reputation for attention! I'm going to tear him apart!"

It wasn't long before thousands of people echoed the comment. Kennedy's fans started their own hashtags, mass-reposted them, and spread the story to defend him. Consequently, hashtags such as #GeniusKennedy and #KennedyWasPlagiarized appeared on the top trending lists.

Maisie publicly spoke out to take a stand, supporting Kennedy in defending his rights. "Kennedy is a vital asset to the country. He has sacrificed sleep and rest for his new invention, with the sole purpose of serving the nation! Who would have thought that he would be plagiarized?

"I hope the plagiarist will step forward on their own to admit their mistake. Otherwise, I'll personally expose their crimes!"

Maisie's video racked up tens of thousands of likes within half an hour. Kennedy even left a comment that read, "Thanks for having my back and exposing this, Maisie! You're the best!"

I felt a sharp pang in my chest, though I still felt incredibly relieved. I was relieved that I hadn't handed over Version 1.0 of the invention to the lab yesterday. If I had, I would be dealing with a whole new wave of cyberbullying that day.

I forced myself to calm down and got ready to meet with Dr. Lane about my breakthrough, but my phone suddenly buzzed with a new notification just then.

Kennedy had just made another post. "Thanks for all the support, everyone. I know the plagiarism incident has already been confirmed, so I adjusted my approach in time and redesigned Invention 2.0. That takes real talent, which is something a plagiarist will never have!

"Here are my new blueprints. Thank you all for witnessing my achievement!"

I anxiously zoomed in on the photo he posted, only to discover that it was identical to my Invention 2.0.