Chapter 2

2

It wasn't long before the news reported on Macy Thorne attending the international conference.

She spoke fluently in front of the cameras. "This project was challenging, but it was a great growth opportunity for me."

"Of course, I had some guidance from seniors at the start. But I believe the final results depend on one's own hard work."

With a few simple sentences, she stole all the credit. She even hinted that she had to overcome obstacles put in her way by "bitter seniors."

The internet exploded after the segment aired.

"Look at what she's doing at twenty! I feel like a loser compared to her!"

"Macy Thorne is a genius!"

"Some people just want to gatekeep power as they get older. They try to steal from the youth. So embarrassing!"

I became the "senior trying to steal credit" in the comments section. Macy was praised as a rising star in science.

Looking at the comments, I just shook my head.

Macy didn't even meet the basic requirements to be in our research group.

Gavin had pulled every string to get her in, claiming she was a distant cousin.

I didn't suspect much back then. He was my partner of five years, after all.

We met at an academic summit. We were in different labs but studied the same things.

His passion won me over. I thought he saw me as a partner, someone to build a life and a career with.

All those nights at the lab bench and our dreams of the future kept me going.

But six months ago, Macy appeared.

Every time she had a "problem," Gavin was the first one there to help.

I started seeing her leaving Gavin's private lab early in the morning.

When I asked him, he just brushed it off. "Macy was just asking for help with a project."

I soon realized that his "help" was just handing her my hard-earned results.

Well, let them enjoy their confidence for now.

They had no idea that the core of the project was finished, and every piece of data and patent was in my name.

I wanted to see how they would answer for it once they couldn't leech off me anymore.

I packed my bags to leave the institute. Gavin and Macy were waiting at the door.

"Sutton Reed, you're not exactly young anymore. Where do you think you'll find work?"

Macy stood there, her chin held high.

"That's right. I'm the project lead now, and I need an assistant. If you're willing to apologize, I might find a spot for you."

I looked at them and smiled thinly. "I'm going to the Solvey Molecular Engineering Lab at MIT."

Their smiles vanished. Gavin scoffed. "Stop lying just to save face. With your resume? You'd never get into a place like that."

"Yeah, save the lies for people who don't know the industry," Macy added.

Gavin looked at me coldly. "Don't regret this. When this project succeeds, our names will be in the history books. You'll just be a jealous footnote."

"I'll give you one last chance. Apologize now, and I'll let you back on the team. You did do some of the boring grunt work, after all."

I looked at him and felt nothing but pity.

The man I once trusted most was standing there threatening me like a common bully.

"Stop lying to yourself, Gavin," I said quietly. "I'm not the one who's going to regret this."