Chapter 2: The Truth Beneath the Surface

The chip sat in the boyâs palm like a piece of evidence in a courtroom.
âThis is a limiter,â he explained. âIt overrides neural feedback and cuts off response signals. Whoever installed it didnât want her to regain mobility.â
Lilaâs face drained of color. âBut⊠why?â
Carter stepped back, his composure cracking. âThis is ridiculous. That kid doesnât know what heâs talking about.â
âI know enough,â the boy shot back. âAnd I know this model inside out.â
One of the mechanics stepped forward. âWait⊠this is a NeuroMotion X7 system, right? Only a handful exist in the country.â
The boy nodded. âI helped design the prototype.â
Gasps rippled through the room.
Carter let out a forced laugh. âThatâs absurd. You? Look at you.â
The boy met his gaze, unshaken. âNameâs Ethan Blake.â
The name hit like thunder.
One of the older engineers whispered, âBlake⊠as in Dr. Harold Blake? The founder of NeuroMotion?â
Ethan didnât answer directly. He just looked back at Lila.
âMy father built this company to help people walk again,â he said quietly. âNot to trap them.â
Lilaâs hands trembled. âSo this⊠this was done on purpose?â
Ethan nodded. âSomeone wanted you dependent.â
All eyes turned back to Carter.
Cornered, his expression twisted. âFine!â he snapped. âYou want the truth? Investors were pulling out. Her âmiracle recoveryâ wouldâve exposed flaws in earlier models. I needed more timeâmore funding!â
âYou paralyzed her for profit?â someone shouted.
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âI delayed her recovery,â Carter corrected coldly. âBig difference.â
âNo,â Ethan said, his voice steady but burning with anger. âItâs not.â