Chapter 2

Adrian's expression changed first.

He reached out to grab my wrist, his voice low. "Lena, don't make a scene right now."

The backstage area was separated from the venue by a black curtain. Outside, the host's voice was already warming up the crowd. Investors, hospital representatives, media---all seated in the audience. The promotional slide was still displayed on screen.

"Nova Medical's first AI surgical navigation system---official launch."

The technical lead listed in the bottom right corner was Nora.

I pulled away from his hand and removed the ID badge from around my neck.

"I'm the one making a scene?"

Adrian frowned. "It's just a temporary adjustment to the program. Nora handles product presentation, you handle technical support. Different divisions of labor, that's all."

Nora stood behind him, still clutching my laser pointer.

She took half a step forward, her eyes reddening right on cue. "Lena, please don't misunderstand. Mr. Knox is just worried I'll be nervous on stage for the first time. He's not really trying to take your work."

"My work?"

I looked at the remote control in her hand, then at the "Chief Product Officer" badge on her chest.

"Miss Nora, what's the risk threshold for the third demonstration segment tonight?"

She froze.

Adrian immediately spoke up. "Now's not the time to quiz her."

I nodded. "Then let's try something simpler. How many millimeters of intraoperative deviation will trigger an automatic system lockdown?"

Nora gripped the remote tighter, her nails scraping against the plastic shell. "Those parameters---the technical department handles them."

Outside, the host called my name, then quickly corrected herself. "Next, please welcome Nova Medical project representative, Miss Nora."

Applause erupted from beyond the curtain.

Adrian looked at me, his tone softening. "Lena, just get through today. After the launch, I'll explain everything privately. Don't you care most about whether this project gets implemented?"

I pulled out my phone and opened the backend permissions page.

Adrian's voice finally changed. "What are you doing?"

"Suspending tonight's remote demonstration interface."

"You wouldn't dare."

I turned the screen toward him.

On the page, the core algorithm authorization showed only one name.

Lena Sinclair.

I pressed the pause button.

Josh, the technical assistant beside me, gasped. "Lena, they've already connected to the simulated surgical table outside."

"Disconnect it."

"But Mr. Knox---"

I looked at him. "The system hasn't passed final clinical safety review. Who authorized you to connect the live demonstration port?"

Josh's face went pale.

Adrian said through gritted teeth, "It's just the simulation port."

"That's not what the backend logs say."

I opened the access records. The timestamp showed ten minutes ago, with Nora's account as the operator.

Nora immediately stepped back. "I didn't know. I just clicked confirm according to the procedure."

"Who gave you the permissions?"

No one answered.

Beyond the curtain, the host's voice stuttered. The big screen must have gone dark.

The applause stopped abruptly, like someone had choked it off.

Adrian hissed at me, "Lena, do you have any idea how many people are watching today? If you sabotage this funding round, what happens to the company?"

I put my phone back in my bag.

"When you replaced the technical lead, you didn't think about what would happen to the company."

His chest heaved twice. He wanted to say more.

I walked past him toward the exit.

Nora suddenly rushed forward, blocking my path. "Lena, I didn't do it on purpose. How about I go on stage right now and tell everyone the technology is still yours?"

She spoke softly enough for the nearby staff to hear.

Like she was offering me a way out.

Also like she was handing me a knife, waiting for me to lose control.

I stopped and looked down at her.

"Don't worry."

"It's not your turn to cry yet tonight."