Code by Dr. Amelia Stanley. Unique ID: ASAR-4F29-2024-0918.
All rights reserved.
Gasps ripple through the room,but I don’t look up. I don’t need to. I can feel the impact of that simple line of code, the proof that I’m the rightful creator of this project.
But I’m not finished.
“In addition to the Fibonacci sequence,” I continue. “I embedded a cryptographic signature. This signature can be verified using my public key, leaving no doubt that I wrote this code.”
I execute another command, and the signature is verified on the screen.
Cryptographic Signature: Verified using Public Key.
Author: Dr. Amelia Stanley.
The evidence is irrefutable.
It’s as if the walls are closing in around Langley, who sits across from me, his face growing redder with each passing second.
The board members lean in, scrutinizing the screen. The chairman nods slowly, a grim expression settling on his face. “It’s conclusive. The work is yours, Dr. Stanley.”
Relief floods me when I glance at Grey, who gives me a barely perceptible nod. He stands and walks over to the door to open it.
“Officers,” he says, and two police officers step into the room.
Langley’s eyes widen in panic as they approach him. “You can’t do this! This is a setup! I’m innocent!”
“Dr. Edward Langley,” one of them says, voice firm. “You’re under arrest for intellectual property theft, assault, and breaking and entering.”
Langley’s face pales. He tries to protest, but his words falter as they pull him to his feet and begin reading him his rights. They calmly but firmly cuff him, and as they lead him away, his wild eyes lock onto mine.
I stare back, unflinching, head held high.
He tries to maintain some semblance of dignity, but the sight of him being escorted out is almost cathartic.
Oliver leans in close again, whispering with a grin, “Guess we’re not the only criminals in the room, after all.”
I can’t help the small, victorious smile that tugs at my lips as I watch Langley being led away.
We did it.
We really did it.
The management board, still reeling from the shock, begins to murmur amongst themselves, their whispers a low hum that fills the room. But I’m not listening. My heart is racing, my mind buzzing with the urge to jump up, squeal, and pull my guys into a tight hug.
The CEO finally finds his voice, though it wavers as he tries to regain control of the situation. “Dr. Stanley,” he begins, his tone forced into something resembling authority. “We sincerely apologize for the wrongful actions taken against you. We recognize your significant contributions to the AR project and would like to formally acknowledge your work when we release it.”
I can feel the weight of every gaze in the room pressing down on me, waiting for my response. I take a steadying breath, meeting the CEO’s eyes directly. “I appreciate the acknowledgment,” I say slowly, deliberately. “But I have no interest in releasing my work with Elysium.”
The CEO’s face hardens, the pretense of friendliness slipping away as his mask cracks. “You developed this project while employed with us. There will be repercussions if you refuse.”
Before I can respond, Grey leans forward. “Dr. Stanley was hired as asystem integration specialistat the Smart Home Development Department. What she does in her own time is none of your business.” The CEO’s mouth opens to argue, but Grey isn’t finished. “She may have benefitted from working for Elysium and its resources, but proving that will be difficult at best. And just so you’re clear, all four of us are quitting. Effective immediately.”
