Over at Sterling Group, Elliot answered his ringing phone.
"Mr. Foster, Miss Shea brought Hayden Tate to participate in the finals for the National Youth Programming Championships today," said the bodyguard on the other end of the line.
Elliot’s brows furrowed, and he was dumbfounded as he said, "What are you talking about?”
The bodyguard repeated himself, then explained, "Miss Shea asked me not to tell you about it."
"Why are you telling me now, then?"
Elliot massaged the space between his brows as a sense of foreboding rose inside him.
"When Hayden Tate won the competition, Miss Shea ran up on stage. Someone recognized her and things turned chaotic. Miss Shea's isn't hurt, but she's a little shaken up."
Elliot listened to the bizarre story and felt like it was made up.
Why would Shea take Hayden to the Youth Programming Championships?
Hayden was a loner who disliked meeting strangers. Logically, he would not be willing to compete in anything like this.
How did Shea manage to convince him?
"Send me the address!" Elliot said in a deep voice, then hung up the phone.
Hayden was at a park near the science museum when he got tired of walking and saw down on a bench by the street.
With the trophy in her hands, Shea took a seat next to him.
"I'm sorry, Hayden," she said apologetically. "I only brought you here to compete because I wanted you to join the elite class."
"Why do I need to join an elite class?" Hayden snapped angrily.
"My teacher told me that everyone in the elite class is super smart. I think you'd be happier if you went to school there instead, " Shea explained herself. "Everyone there is the same as you. If there was a place where I could be with people like me, I'm sure I'd be happy."
Hayden wanted to retaliate, but he was thrown off by Shea's innocent, child-like face.
He did not want to reprimand her, but he was worried that she would repeat the same thing again.
"Did you think you could butt into my business just because you're my aunt?" Hayden said as he shot up from his seat. " Even if you're my aunt, you should mind your own business!"
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