The next afternoon, the finals were about to begin at St. Lawrence Academy.
Selena closed her laptop, pulled out a silver USB drive, and curled her fingers around it.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket. An encrypted message from the black market appeared on the screen:
'Old hospital surveillance footage, doctor's audio recording, expedited DNA match report. Everything you asked for is included.'
Selena locked the screen. The corner of her mouth lifted faintly.
Chloe's time was up.
Ten minutes later in the Mechanical Dynamics Finals Arena...
The circular auditorium was packed. Representatives from major consortiums and the Mechanical Council filled the front rows.
Under the spotlight, Chloe stood in a pure white custom suit before a massive LED screen.
Displayed behind her was an inc
