Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
"He lives on the other side of the country."
"Well, there is that."
"We value you at TechGuard. You're helping the AI department to become something special. I truly believe in the next few years, we could secure a bigger place in the company: better pay, better benefits, more recognition."
This is one of Graham's most cherished hopes. He's often talked about it. Our department is like the ignored stepchild of TechGuard, fighting for our chance in the sun, desperate for an opportunity to be noticed and respected.
"I'm not leaving," I say. "Don't worry."
"Then enjoy the time you have left."
That's what Luke said, and it stings. The clock is ticking. This fling is almost over. But do I really believe that when this is done, I'll be able to resist texting my silver-fox billionaire, the man who brought my bookish dreams to life? Do I seriously believe that?
Chapter Twelve
Luke
I stand backstage, tapping my foot on the floor, waiting for my chance to go onto the stage. When my phone buzzes and I take it from my pocket, I realize my hand is trembling slightly.
Sera: You've got this, Luke. You're doing the right thing.
Luke: Thanks. For the first time in a long time, I'm nervous.
Sera: I don't blame you, but you're going to do great.
Luke: And I've got a reward in the shape of a curvy genius AI guru waiting for me after to console me.
Sera: There is that.
Steve approaches me, his typical grimace shaping his lips. I almost tell him he should get it copyrighted. "You good?"
"I'm great," I tell him. "We've got to do this, so there's no point umming and ahhing over it."
"Other companies would hide something like this."
"Yep... and when it leaked, they'd appear even more foolish."
"Do you believe we have a mole?"
"I don't know," I say. "But that crap with Damien watching us has got me on-edge."
No one else saw Damien. Steve narrows his eyes for a moment. He tries to hide it, but I can see the judgment there, the unspoken implication that I conjured Damien up out of thin air.
Soon, it's time for me to walk onto the stage. I search for Sera in the crowd. She's got her hair tucked up in a bun, a pencil through it, wearing smart business clothes that make her look capable and gorgeous.
"Ladies and gents, thank you for coming," I say. "There are CEOs who would hide in the shadows at a time like this, but as you know, I've always been straight with our customers. Ever since our first self-driving car mistook a golf course for a highway all those years ago, I've been honest."
This gets a laugh from the audience. Sera's smile urges me on.
"In that spirit, I have something I need to share with you all," I continue. "While our other products are completely safe and protected – and I have to stress this – we have gone above and beyond, and, in three years, haven't had a single incident – the prototype I was intending to show tomorrow has encountered issues."
I scan the crowd for signs of Damien. I felt sorry for him when he first came to me with misguided ideas about his place in the company. He has the motive, but how the hell would he gain access to our code?
"Someone has sabotaged the code to the AI we were planning on unveiling," I say. "Prompting it to make distressing and counterproductive statements."
When I use the word 'sabotage', people whisper, exchanging anxious looks with each other. A tense atmosphere descends over the room. Many have already got their phones out, texting frantically. The news spreading, then.
"We are going to sort this out," I say firmly. "I wanted you all to be aware of the truth. We, as a company, do not hide. We don't trick our customers. It's the reason we have built so much trust..."
Thirty minutes later, I'm sitting in the back of a car with Sera at my side. She massages my shoulder gently. "You did really well."
"I'm thinking Steve was right," I mutter, looking down at my phone, at my feeds, at the shitstorm the admission has caused. “Look at this headline ‘Sabotage or More? What are they hiding?’ People are calling the entire company into question. I should've explained that the prototype code was more accessible than the final products will be. I should've emphasized that our regular product lineup is entirely unaffected."
"You emphasized that," she says.
"I did?"
"Hey..." She touches my hand, lowering my phone from my gaze. "Try not to torture yourself, Luke. You did everything you could do. You did the right thing."
I let my head fall back, groaning. "Maybe it wasn't enough. I just wish I knew who did it... if it was Damien, how did he get access?"
"How many companies provided contractors for the code?"
"Three," I tell her. "That was clearly a mistake, too. It's the first time I've cut corners on cost, and look where it landed me. From now on, no outsiders... sorry."