Patent Pending
I had just returned from the world's largest tech summit when my mentor called. She has always been like a mother to me.
She told me she had arranged a marriage for me, with the daughter of a close friend of hers, Tania Jones.
She was a rising talent in the capital's business scene, and a number of my patents were licensed to her company, forming the core technology behind their latest products.
After working late in the lab, I changed into a carefully chosen suit and went to the engagement ceremony.
However, I was stopped at the entrance by Elias Yates, Tania's personal assistant.
He was wearing a perfectly tailored designer suit, every detail immaculate. He looked more like the groom than I did.
"If you know what's good for you, walk away," he said with an icy smirk. "An orphan with no background should know his place. You are not worthy of Ms. Jones."
I frowned and replied, "Does Tania know you are speaking on her behalf like this?"
Elias let out a mocking laugh.
"A kept man living off his mentor's reputation could never understand how important I am to Ms. Jones."
There was obsession and pride shining in his eyes.
I looked at him for a moment, then dialed Tania.
"If this is your idea of welcoming your fiancé," I said evenly, "then perhaps my patents should only be shown to you on paper, right before I sell them to your rival instead."