After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 141

Even after all this time, he still couldn’t swallow the fact that Catherine had fooled him for five years. Tomorrow, he wanted nothing more than to see her lose, to watch her face defeat.

Catherine’s spot in the Project Apex Initiative was really just Nexus Dynamics trying to get another edge. The truth was clear. The James Group’s Resonance AI was so impressive, even Nexus Dynamics had to respect it. With Resonance AI backing her, Shirley was practically guaranteed to win. No matter how many top people Nexus Dynamics sent, it wouldn’t make a difference.

The next morning, the whole vibe at Harrisburg Institute of Technology was tense. After weeks of workshops and exchanges, the day of the final competition had finally arrived. The huge auditorium had been transformed into a presentation hall, everything ready for the big showdown. Soon, a jury made up of experts from Nexus Dynamics, Gu Ji Technology, four other tech companies, and the institute itself would take their seats.

All the students who’d made it this far were quietly preparing, faces tight with nerves. The pressure in the air felt almost physical.

Catherine sat in her chair, calm in a way that surprised even herself. Her eyes were clear and bright, but sharper than usual.

Just then, Shirley entered. The other students seemed to tense up even more, like her presence alone raised the stakes. Shirley looked every inch the tech queen in her custom Chanel suit, flawless makeup, and a necklace that was subtle but screamed luxury. She carried herself with total confidence, glancing over at Catherine with a small, knowing smile. She was excited to win, sure, but what she really looked forward to was seeing Catherine fall.

Before he could dwell on it, the side door opened and two new figures walked in. Magee, the legendary tech leader, strode in with Lawrence at his side. Magee was a giant in the field, respected by everyone, even Waldo. But the young man next to him commanded just as much attention. Lawrence’s confidence was impossible to ignore.

Waldo’s eyes narrowed with irritation the moment he spotted Lawrence. What was he doing here?

Lawrence’s attention was on Catherine from the moment he entered, and she saw him right away. Her whole face lit up with a bright smile, and she waved at him, her feelings obvious to everyone watching.