Chapter 11

Then, Dawn's message asked me something I forgot: [By the way, are the results from your National Innovation competition out yet?] I was stunned for a moment and opened the contest's website. After my project was re-evaluated, it received the grand prize for the university stage and was recommended for the national stage. Megan's first prize had already been revoked. I sent the screenshot to Dawn. Dawn sent a long string of exclamation marks. [!!!!!!!!! Nelly, you're incredible!] I looked at the screen and smiled. Then I turned off my phone and continued reading my academic papers. The national stage would begin in two months. This time, nobody could steal what was mine. - The news about the national stage of the National Innovation Contest came a month later. My project had been selected not for first prize, but for the "Best Innovation Award". There were only two spots for the entire college. Dawn screamed in the dorm for a full minute. I covered my ears and l

Chapter 12

After I finished tutoring Tessa, she said, "Nelly, you're really amazing. I want to learn from you." "You don't need to learn from me," I said. "Just walk your own path." She nodded and left with her laptop in her arms. I sat at my desk and opened the drawer. I had framed the taped-together poster and hung it on the wall above my bed. The tear marks were still there, but that made them stand out even more. I had placed the taped-together receipt under my pillow and put the broken water cup on the highest shelf of the bookcase. I no longer used it, but I could not bring myself to throw it away. My phone lit up. It was a voice message from my mother. "Sweetheart, did you get the beef jerky? You said it tasted good last time, so I made another five pounds." I smiled. "I got it, Mom. It tastes good. Stop making it, though. It's too heavy." "Too heavy? I'm happy to make it." As I laughed, my eyes became red again. - It was drizzling the day my official letter for the PhD

Chapter 13

Half a year later. Central City, first snow. I sat in Professor Kyle's research lab. In front of me was a powerful workstation, and a section of code I had just finished writing was running on the screen. Outside the window, snowflakes drifted down, turning the whole campus white. My phone vibrated. It was a message from Dawn. [Nelly! It's snowing in Central City, right? Take a picture for me!] I took a photo of the scene outside the window and sent it to her. [It's so pretty!] Dawn replied to the photo. [Aren't you in Southton? Is it snowing there too?] I sent her a message. [Nope. It's raining now. So annoying!] She complained. I smiled and put down my phone. I was the only person in the lab. My seniors had all gone to eat, and I had said I wanted to adjust the code a little longer. Then, the door opened, and Professor Kyle walked in. "Nelly, you're still here?" He wore a dark gray jacket and held a thermos in his hand. More than half his hair was white, but h

All Chapters of Price of Avarice: Chapter 11 - Chapter 13

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13