46 The Tech Expo Gambit.
Lennox Dubois twirled the crystal glass in his hand, the amber liquid catching the light from the chandelier above. His penthouse office exuded wealth and power, from the Italian leather furniture to the panoramic view of the city below. He watched his son pace back and forth, agitation evident in every step.
“Sit down, Alistair. You’re giving me a headache with all that movement,” Lennox commanded.
Alistair dropped into a plush armchair across from his father. “I just can’t believe Elara’s audacity. After everything we’ve done for her.”
Lennox snorted. “What exactly have we done for her? Cut her off when she married Damien Thorne against your wishes?”
“That’s different. She betrayed the family business by marrying into Thorne Industries”
“And now she’s betraying us again by not helping Vivienne.” Lennox took a measured sip of his whiskey. “Frankly, I expected nothing less from her.”
Alistair leaned forward, elbows on knees. “She’s just jealous. Always has been. Vivienne succeeded where she failed – capturing Damien’s genuine interest.”
“And now Elara’s blocking Vivienne’s entry into YodaVision out of spite. Lennox’s face hardened. “Unfortunately for her, we don’t need her help.”
“We need access to their Cuap technology,” Alistair argued. “It would revolutionize our
Al systems.
“Which is why Vivienne needs to get close to their development team.” Lennox placed his glass down. “Once she’s inside, she can gather enough information for our engineers to replicate their results.”
“Or better yet, convince Julian Croft to sell, Alistair added. “Every man has his
price.
The elevator doors chimed, announcing a new arrival. Both men turned as Vivienne strode into the room, her high heels clicking against the marble floor. She wore a fitted black dress that emphasized her slender figure, her dark hair cascading over one shoulder.
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“Discussing me behind my back?” She smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Merely lamenting Elara’s predictable refusal to help you,” Lennox replied.
Vivienne waved a dismissive hand. “I expected nothing from her. She’s always been threatened by me.”
She settled gracefully into a chair, crossing her legs. There was something different about her tonight – a confident gleam in her eye that caught both men’s attention.
“You seem…pleased with yourself, Alistair observed.
“Because I’ve found another way: Vivienne’s red lips curved into a satisfied smile. “If Elara won’t open doors for me at YodaVision, I’ll find bigger doors elsewhere.”
Lennox raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“The Annual Tech Innovation Expo is happening next week. Zachary Newman will be
there.
Alistair’s eyes widened. “Zachary Newman? The Al genius who mentored Julian Croft?”
Vivienne nodded. “The very same. He’s incredibly selective about his projects and protégés. Getting his attention would be far more valuable than anything YodaVision could offer me.”
“And how do you plan to get his attention?” Lennox asked. “Newman is notoriously reclusive. He rarely gives interviews, let alone entertains unsolicited pitches from
strangers.”
Vivienne’s smile widened. “That’s where Damien comes in. He’s already secured tickets for me to attend the VIP reception. Newman will be there.”
Alistair sat up straighter. “Thorne managed that? Tickets to the VIP reception have been sold out for months. Even I couldn’t get them.”
“Damien has connections that even you don’t, Father.” Vivienne’s tone was sweetly venomous. “And unlike some people, he believes in my abilities.”
Alistair’s jaw tightened at the implied critique, but Lennox merely laughed.
“Well played, my dear.” He raised his glass in a mock toast. “If you can capture
Newman’s interest, you’ll have accomplished something even Julian Croft would envy.”
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“That’s the plan,” Vivienne replied. “Newman is looking for fresh perspectives in cognitive AI development. My research aligns perfectly with his latest focus areas.
“Has Damien arranged an introduction?” Alistair asked.
Vivienne shook her head. “He can get me into the room, but the rest is up to Newman despises corporate interference in his selection process.”
“A twenty–minute conversation with Newman could be worth millions to our company,” Lennox mused. “If he were to collaborate with you-”
“Or take me on as a researcher,” Vivienne interjected.
- me.
“Even better. Lennox’s eyes glittered with ambition. “With your brain and Newman’s resources, our family could control the future of Al development.”
Alistair poured himself another drink. “We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. Newman is notoriously difficult to impress.”
“I’ll impress him,” Vivienne stated with absolute certainty. “I’ve been studying his work. for years. I understand his theoretical framework better than most of his published collaborators.”
“And Damien?” Alistair asked. “What does he expect in return for this favor?”
A enigmatic smile played on Vivienne’s lips. “That’s between Damien and me.”
Lennox chuckled. “I’m sure it is. Will he be accompanying you to the reception?”
“No,” Vivienne replied. “Damien gave me two tickets, but only two. He thought it would be better if I went without him. Newman dislikes corporate CEOs hovering nearby while he’s evaluating talent.”
“Two tickets?” Lennox raised an eyebrow. “Who will accompany you, then?”
“I was hoping you would, Grandfather,” Vivienne said, turning to him with a sudden warmth in her expression. “Your reputation in business circles would lend me credibility.”
Lennox appeared pleased but surprised. “Not your father?”
Alistair intervened before Vivienne could respond. “I think that’s wise. Dad has more. experience in these situations.” His tone suggested this was a calculated move, not a
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personal slight.
“Very well.” Lennox nodded, seeming to appreciate the strategic thinking, “I’d be honored to escort my brilliant granddaughter to meet the great Zachary Newman.”
Vivienne’s phone chimed. She glanced at it, her expression shifting subtly before she tucked it away.
“Damien?” Alistair asked, his tone carefully neutral.
“Just confirming details for the event,” she replied smoothly. “The reception ist Thursday evening. We should arrive promptly at seven.”
Lennox stood and walked to the bar to refill his glass. “This is quite the opportunity. you’ve engineered, Vivienne. I’m impressed with your resourcefulness.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.” She accepted the compliment with practiced grace. “After the Sentinel Project disappointment, I needed to pivot quickly.”
“That’s what separates true innovators from mere academics, Lennox said. “The ability to find alternative paths to success when conventional routes are blocked.”
“Speaking of blocked paths,” Alistair interjected, “what do we do about Elara and her influence at YodaVision? She’s still an obstacle to our interests there
Vivienne’s expression hardened. “She’s irrelevant now. If Newman takes an interest in my work, I’ll have far greater resources at my disposal than anything YodaVision could
offer.
“Don’t underestimate her,” Alistair warned. “She’s becoming more assertive lately. She might actively work against us.”
“Let her try, Vivienne replied coldly. “She’s always been Jealous of my success, my intellect, my relationship with Damien. But jealousy won’t help her compete with me professionally.”
“True, Lennox agreed. “Elara lacks your natural brilliance. She’s always been…. adequate at best. Competent, but unremarkable.”
Vivienne’s phone chimed again. This time, she smiled as she read the message.
“Good news?” Lennox inquired.
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“The best,” Vivienne replied. “Damien Just confirmed that Newman reviewed the abstract of my research paper on cognitive neural networks and expressed interest in discussing it further at the reception.”
Alistair’s eyebrows rose. “How did Thorne manage
“He has his ways,” Vivienne replied cryptically. “The important thing is that this gives me a significant advantage. Newman will be expecting me.*
“This changes everything,” Lennox declared, raising his glass. “To Vivienne, the future face of Al innovation.”
As they clinked glasses, Vivienne’s smile contained a hint of triumph. “By this time next month, Elara will be nothing but a footnote in my success story. All her efforts to block me will have been for nothing”
“And Damien Thorne?” Alistair couldn’t resist asking.
Vivienne’s eyes gleamed with ambition. “Damien understands what I’m capable of. He’s investing in my future because he sees my potential.”
“And because he’s in love with you,” Lennox added bluntly.
“That too,” Vivienne acknowledged with a self–satisfied smile. “Which makes him all the more valuable an ally.”
“And Elara all the more irrelevant,” Alistair concluded, raising his glass once more.
As they drank to her impending success, Vivienne’s phone lit up with another message from Damien: “Everything’s arranged. Newman will be looking for you specifically. Don’t waste this opportunity.”
Her fingers hovered over the screen, a calculating smile playing on her lips. This was her moment to shine, and nothing – certainly not Elara Vance would stand in her
way.
–
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