Chapter 4: The Man Who Funded My First Robot
"His name is Marcus Reed.""
My father's voice was barely audible.
I stared at him.
"Marcus? The investor?""
Dad nodded.
Marcus Reed was a successful technology entrepreneur who had founded several companies specializing in medical robotics. His name appeared in business magazines, university advertisements, and engineering scholarship announcements.
He was also the man who had funded the first components for my original prototype.
When I was fourteen, I had submitted a small robotics project to a youth innovation foundation. I hadn't expected anything. I simply wanted enough money to buy better motors and a processor.
Three weeks later, I received an email informing me that an anonymous sponsor had awarded me a $5,000 development grant.
I remembered running downstairs with the letter.
I remembered my father smiling.
And I remembered Vanessa taking the envelope from my hands.
"Five thousand dollars?"" she had said.
"That's a lot of money for a little hobby.""
She had promised to help me manage it.
I had never seen the money again.
Now, standing inside the auditorium, I looked at my father.
"You're telling me Marcus Reed funded my original project?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
Dad hesitated.
"Because he saw your application. He believed you had potential.""
I looked toward Vanessa.
She was no longer smiling.
"Where is he now?"" I asked.
Dad glanced at the document.
"He's one of the major investors in Vantage Living Solutions.""
My stomach dropped.
"So he's investing in the company that's trying to steal my robot?""
Dad nodded.
I turned toward Vanessa.
"You knew who he was.""
She adjusted the sleeve of her white blouse.
"Of course I knew.""
"You knew he funded my first project?""
"Yes.""
"And you used that money to build your company?""
Her eyes narrowed.
"Don't be ridiculous.""
"Then explain the patent application.""
Vanessa gave a dismissive laugh.
"Marcus is a businessman. He understands how these arrangements work. You don't.""
Dr. Hayes, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward.
"Mrs. Carter, I would strongly advise against making further claims about ownership without documentation.""
Vanessa looked at her.
"Are you threatening me?""
"No. I'm giving you an opportunity to stop making statements that may become part of an official investigation.""
The security officer moved closer.
Vanessa finally looked away.
My father pulled me aside.
"Maya, there's something I haven't told you.""
I felt my shoulders tense.
"What now?""
He took a breath.
"When Vanessa started Vantage Living Solutions, she asked me to help with the paperwork. She said the company would create affordable technology for senior care.""
"Did you give her my designs?""
"No.""
"Did you give her access to my computer?""
Dad shook his head.
"Never.""
"Then how did she get the technical specifications?""
He looked toward Vanessa.
"She had access to the garage.""
I frowned.
"That's not enough. My development files were password-protected.""
Dad rubbed his forehead.
"She wasn't the only person who had access.""
My thoughts moved quickly.
There had been a technician.
A man named Ethan Cole.
He had helped me replace a damaged processor during the early development stage. He was a friend of my father's, an electrical engineer who occasionally repaired equipment in our garage.
I remembered him asking questions about Iris.
I remembered showing him the emergency-response system.
I remembered leaving my laptop open while he worked.
"Wait," I whispered.
"Ethan?""
Dad looked up.
"Yes.""
"Did he work for Vanessa?""
Dad's silence answered me.
Before I could ask another question, the auditorium doors opened.
A tall man in a charcoal suit entered.
His hair was silver at the temples, and he carried a leather briefcase.
I recognized him immediately.
Marcus Reed.
He scanned the room before his eyes settled on me.
Then he walked straight toward the judges' table.
"Dr. Hayes," he said.
"I believe I owe someone an explanation.""
Vanessa moved quickly.
"Marcus, this is a misunderstanding.""
He didn't even look at her.
Instead, he placed his briefcase on the table and opened it.
Inside were several folders.
"I received an unusual notification this afternoon," he said.
"My investment team discovered that a robotics prototype presented at this competition bears a remarkable resemblance to a development project I funded several years ago.""
I stepped forward.
"That was my project.""
Marcus looked at me carefully.
"Maya Carter?""
I nodded.
He studied my face.
Then he smiled sadly.
"I remember your application. You were fourteen. You wrote that you wanted to build something that would make sure elderly people didn't have to spend their final years feeling forgotten.""
My throat tightened.
"That was me.""
He opened one of the folders.
"Your original grant was approved for five thousand dollars. The funds were transferred to the account designated by your legal guardian.""
I looked at my father.
"Vanessa.""
Marcus nodded.
"Yes. But the unusual part is that the grant was never used to purchase the components listed in your original proposal.""
He slid a printed statement across the table.
The money had been transferred into a business account.
A business account belonging to a company that no longer existed.
My eyes moved down the page.
*CARTER FAMILY TECHNOLOGIES.*
I had never heard of it.
Marcus continued.
"That company was registered under Vanessa's name. It was dissolved eight months later.""
Vanessa's face tightened.
"It was a temporary administrative arrangement.""
Marcus finally turned toward her.
"Then why did the money disappear?""
"Marcus, we can discuss this privately.""
"No. I think we should discuss it here.""
He placed another document on the table.
It was a printed email.
The sender was Ethan Cole.
The recipient was Vanessa.
And the subject line read:
*MAYA'S NEW DESIGN — COMPLETE TECHNICAL FILES.*
I felt my heart pounding.
Marcus looked at me.
"Miss Carter, do you know this man?""
I nodded slowly.
"He helped repair my robot.""
Marcus closed the folder.
"Then I think we need to find out exactly how much of your work he has sold.""
Vanessa suddenly grabbed her handbag.
"I'm leaving.""
The security officer stepped in front of her.
"Mrs. Carter, please wait.""
She turned toward Marcus.
"You promised me this investment would remain confidential.""
The room went silent.
Marcus stared at her.
"I promised to invest in a legitimate business. I never promised to finance theft.""
Vanessa's expression collapsed.
And then Marcus said something that made my blood run cold.
"Because, Vanessa, I have reason to believe you didn't just steal Maya's robot.""
May you like
He opened the final folder.
"You stole something from me, too.""
