Chapter 8
Skylar sat on the white couch, hugging a soft pink pillow, its feather-like texture barely grounding her. The entire room was too bright, the white walls and furniture reflecting the harsh artificial light. It made her eyes ache. The faint scent of fresh strawberries and milk mixed with something sweet—Jordan's pheromones, perhaps. She didn't even need to ask where she was. Everything about this place screamed him.
Across from her, Techna sat cross-legged on the carpet, her fingers flying over the keyboard with a speed that was almost unnatural. The rhythmic clicking filled the silence, a rapid-fire pulse of digital warfare happening right before Skylar's eyes.
She stared, mesmerized by the way Techna's blue eyes remained fixed on the screen, unwavering, her expression eerily calm.
The sound of footsteps made Skylar flinch.
"What are you doing?"
The voice snapped her out of her daze. She turned to see Jordan, standing there in a white robe that blended with his milky complexion and hair, making him look ghostly under the cold lighting.
"Nothing," Skylar replied quickly, darting her eyes left and right.
Jordan studied her for a moment. She was clearly uncomfortable. "Are you okay?"
The question caught her off guard. Why was he asking that? She frowned, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm fine."
Jordan nodded but didn't look convinced. "You know, Skylar, you're really a complicated girl. Every time I think I'm starting to understand you, you change. And yet, I've only known you for such a short time."
For a moment, Skylar felt lost. He was right. She was complicated—even to herself. When she was younger, she had created different versions of herself, all in a desperate attempt to prove she was good enough.
And now, she had finally killed off the sweetest and funniest version of herself.
Techna stopped typing and turned to them, her gaze settling on Skylar. The intensity made her nervous.
"The first stage of our plan has started," Techna said, a ghost of a smile crossing her face.
Skylar frowned. "What plan?" She looked between Techna and Jordan.
Techna's fingers tapped once more on the keyboard before turning the screen towards her. The glow illuminated her sharp features.
"Phoenix Corporation just released their first robot," Techna said.
Skylar's eyes widened.
How…? Which robot did they make? How could they have developed it so fast?
"What's its name?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.
Techna glanced at the screen, double-checking. "It's a little weird, but they're calling it… Sunny."
Skylar felt something inside her shatter.
Sunny.
The robot she had designed.
The project she had poured her soul into.
Her grip on the pillow tightened, her eyes turning red at the rims—but no tears fell.
She didn't even realize her eyes were burning until Techna spoke again, her voice quieter this time.
"He stole your idea, didn't he?"
Skylar's throat tightened. She couldn't answer, but her silence spoke louder than words.
Techna exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. "All the AI and projects Mark presented… they were yours."
A slow nod was all Skylar could manage.
Jordan clicked his tongue, but Skylar barely heard him. A sharp ringing filled her ears.
"Then, Skylar… can you make another robot?" Techna asked.
Skylar felt the air leave her lungs.
"What?" Her voice wavered. "Do you know how much time it takes to build a robot? I'd have to program an entire database, and—"
"No need for that," Techna interrupted. "I already have a program ready. You just need to design the shell and ensure its movement functions."
Jordan stiffened. His expression darkened with something dangerously close to fear.
"No… Are you saying you want to use NovaX's database?"
Techna nodded.
"You can't!" Jordan whisper-yelled. "That thing is more powerful than anything in the world! If we activate it, you know what will happen."
Skylar felt completely lost.
Techna shut her eyes briefly before opening them again. "It's my creation. I know how to keep it from drawing too much attention."
"'Try'?" Jordan scoffed. "That thing made you the most wanted AI and cybersecurity expert in France."
Techna glared at him.
Jordan sighed. "Fine, then."
Skylar looked between them, still confused. "What is NovaX?"
Jordan met her eyes and answered bluntly. "A god."
Techna rolled her eyes. "Drama queen." She turned back to Skylar. "NovaX is an AI I created when I was twenty-one. Highly intelligent—so advanced it hacked into military-grade cybersecurity without leaving a trace." She tilted her head. "The only reason they even knew something was wrong? Someone ratted me out."
Skylar swallowed.
"And then?"
Techna gave a lazy shrug. "And then the French government came after me."
This wasn't just any tech genius.
She was sitting in front of the most wanted hacker in France.
"You… want me to build a shell for it?" she asked, doubtful. If something that powerful had a physical form, wouldn't it turn against them? Wouldn't it kill them?
Techna rolled her eyes again—probably the seventh time that night.
Jordan gestured toward Skylar. "See what I mean?"
Skylar quickly nodded.
"If we create a highly intelligent robot with NovaX's database, what do you think will happen to Phoenix Corporation?" Techna asked, smirking. "They'll crash. And they'll be crushed by a 'small' company—CyberX."
Skylar and Jordan both stared at her, horrified.
Techna waved them off. "Relax. I'll only use a small fraction of its database. I'm not stupid. And I'll still keep our identities hidden." A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes.
"Wait… we already have a company?" Skylar asked, stunned.
Techna nodded.
Skylar suddenly felt lightheaded.
She had completely forgotten she was dealing with one of the richest young masters. Of course, money wasn't an issue.
"But wait…" A new spark ignited in her eyes. "Can I handle the revenge myself?"
Techna met her gaze and, for the first time, smiled.
"Now you're talking."
"I still don't feel good about this," Jordan muttered, rubbing the back of his head.
"Ai, shut up," Techna said, glaring at him.
Jordan immediately fell silent.
Skylar smiled.
She could work with this.