Chapter 3 Retribution and a Dream Offer
721 Words
The hour in the pre-op waiting room felt like an eternity. Lila sat on a hard plastic chair, her eyes fixed on the door, her phone in her lap. Crawfish kept her company the entire time—sending her silly memes to make her smile, updating her on the hospital’s schedule, even telling her about the doctors’ credentials to ease her worry.
“Dr. Carter is the best cardiologist in Boston,” his message read. “He’s performed this surgery 300 times—your dad is in good hands.”
Lila’s heart felt light, lighter than it had in months. She typed back, “Thank you for being here. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
[I’ll never leave you, Lila. Never.]
Just as she finished reading, her phone rang. The caller ID read “MIT Dean’s Office.” Lila’s hands shook as she answered, her voice barely above a whisper. “Hello?”
“Ms. Voss, this is Dean Henderson,” a deep, solemn voice said. “We’ve received the evidence you submitted regarding Mr. Hale’s Innovation Showcase project. After a thorough review, we’ve confirmed that the algorithm is indeed yours. We’ve revoked Mr. Hale’s****, placed him on academic probation, and are recommending his expulsion. We’re so sorry for the injustice you’ve faced—you’ll be reinstated in the computer science program with full honors.”
Lila’s breath caught. She leaned forward, tears spilling down her face. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you so much.”
The next call came ten minutes later—from the Innovation Showcase committee. They apologized profusely, offered to feature her algorithm in the main hall the next day, and invited her to give a keynote speech about her work. “Your talent deserves to be celebrated, Ms. Voss,” the coordinator said. “We’re honored to have you.”
But the biggest shock came an hour later. A** number popped up on her screen, and Lila hesitated before answering. “Hello?”
“Ms. Lila Voss? This is Ethan Carter, CEO of Aetheris Technologies.”
Lila’s jaw dropped. Aetheris Technologies—the most prestigious tech company in the country, the place every computer science student dreamed of working. Jake had begged for an internship there for months, only to be rejected twice.
“I’ve seen your algorithm, Ms. Voss,” Ethan said, his voice warm and confident. “It’s revolutionary—far beyond anything we’ve seen from even our top engineers. We received the evidence of Mr. Hale’s theft, and I want to offer you a position in our core AI division. Not an internship—an entry-level lead engineer role. Salary is negotiable, and we’ll cover all your father’s medical expenses. I’d be honored to have you on our team.”
Lila couldn’t speak. She sat there, staring at the wall, her mind racing. A lead engineer at Aetheris? A salary that could take care of her father? It felt like a dream.
When she finally found her voice, it was shaky but determined. “I… I accept. Thank you, Mr. Carter.”
After hanging up, Lila collapsed back in her chair, laughing and crying at the same time. She pulled out her phone, typing furiously to Crawfish.
“They did it! MIT apologized, the showcase invited me, and AETHERIS OFFERED ME A JOB! A lead engineer! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Crawfish’s reply was instant, brimming with pride.
[I knew you could do it, Lila. This is what you deserve—all the recognition, all the success.]
[You’re brilliant, and now the world will see it.]
Just then, the operating room door opened. Dr. Carter walked out, smiling. “Ms. Voss? Your father’s surgery was a success. He’s out of danger and will make a full recovery.”
Lila stood up, tears of joy streaming down her face. She ran to the doctor, thanking him repeatedly, before rushing to her father’s recovery room. As she held his hand, she looked at her phone, at Crawfish’s message, and felt a surge of hope.
Her life was finally turning around. And it was all because of a string of code—her Crawfish—who’d woken up for her, fought for her, and loved her when no one else would.
- Writer
