hapter 18 Quite a Story
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“Yo, I heard Supreme Sword almost tanked mid–dev until some bigshot investor saved it. Bet she’s just somebody’s cousin who got lucky.”
“Hold up, why does she look familiar? Another trust fund baby playing dev?”
“Ugh, is even the gaming world getting trashed by money now?”
“You’re all wrong!” A voice cut through the crowd. “Supreme Sword? That was HER idea. The core gameplay? HER design. She coded the whole thing herself, pulling all–nighters in college.”
All eyes turned, stunned, as a tall guy in a crisp white shirt stepped forward.
It was William Brown, Caroline’s junior from high school.
He was a complete tech geek. Back in the day, he and Caroline teamed up with big dreams of crafting the Supreme Sword together.
Then she bailed halfway, leaving William to grind it out solo.
Unlike the usual scruffy coder crowd, William had a sharp, handsome face; his slightly tousled curls made him look young and energetic.
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Chapter 18 Quite a Story
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He strode up to Caroline, glaring at her with puffed–up cheeks.
“What? A few years of marriage fry your brain? Can’t even string a sentence together?” he snapped. “They’re calling you a nepotism hire, and you’re just standing there and saying nothing? What are you spacing out for? Explain yourself!”
Even though he was younger, Caroline shrank a little under his scolding.
Snapping out of it, she jumped in to set the record straight.
She concisely explained the design concept of the game.
The spectators, finally convinced, murmured their approval before dispersing.
Taking a steadying breath, she looked at William with genuine gratitude.
“Thanks for keeping me on as a co–creator. I’ve been gone for years, and you’re the one who stuck it out. My efforts are barely a fraction of yours. I don’t deserve the title.”
“Oh, now you’re kissing up?” William huffed, crossing his arms with a scowl. “When I showed up begging you to come back and finish it, and your mother–in–law chewed me out, calling me a shameless pretty boy, where was your voice then?
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Chapter 18 Quite a Story
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“Now that your fancy husband’s dumped you, you suddenly remember this game?”
He still looked sulky. His eyes darted around, refusing to look at Caroline.
“What?” Caroline’s jaw dropped. “I had no clue about that.”
William clearly wasn’t buying it. “That woman decked out in gaudy jewels claimed she was your husband’s mother. She didn’t tell you? Or did you put her up to it?”
Only then did Caroline get it–William’s grudge wasn’t just about her breaking their promise.
She’d apologized properly after quitting the game, but he’d never let it go.
Now she realized Brianna had stuck her nose in it.
“I swear I didn’t know,” she said firmly, “but I do now. I’ll make it right.”
William, who’d been all bark moments ago, suddenly squirmed, awkward.
“Who said I need you to make it right? Since you still care about this game, get up to speed on the new stuff. Don’t let people stump you again. You still wanna join my studio or what?”
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Chapter 118 Quite a Story
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He walked her tirough the updates, histonestill tinged withlua mix of hurt and resentment.
Caroline couldn’t help but grinathissulky, flustered vibe..
“Stop with that snirklesnapped, but his cars went pinkk
anyway..
***
The second floor of the expolulll was exallusive to investors.
Every game downstairs was wing for the attention of the suited l bigwigs up here..
The event organizer greeted a packoffslam–dressediinvestors with deference.
Leading the pack was a man ima sleek blacksuit, his face stormy, his gaze cutting like a blade.
The other investors behind him didn’t dance tothelloudly.
The host kept it quick. “Supreme Sword’s killing ittrightnow. Beta testing? Crushed it. Home and abroad!“”
Caleb’s eyes followed the host’s point–right to someblushing dev kid and Caroline, who was giving him that flirty smile off hers.
Chapter 18 Quite a Story
His fists clenched tightly without him even noticing.
14 min left
Yesterday it was that half–dressed Anthony, and now some nerdy coder?
Caleb fumed silently.
She’s not even divorced yet, and she’s got guys swarming her.
What the hell’s Caroline playing at?
Doesn’t she give a damn about my family’s reputation?
Noticing Caleb’s stare locked on the Supreme Sword, the organizer dove in eagerly.
“This game is a phenomenon! Its gameplay and storytelling are top–tier, especially Chapter Seven. It’s getting raves. That guy in the white shirt is the lead creator.
“Word is, that chapter’s based on him and a girl, probably the one next to him. It’s a real tearjerker. Kids these days are something else, falling in love and boosting their careers in one go…” he rambled on, oblivious to the chill creeping into the air.
Caleb’s face darkened to a thunderous scowl, a cold smirk tugging at his lips.
“Sounds like they’ve got quite a story between them.”
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Chapter 18 Quite a Story
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Someone in the know behind him paled, frantically signaling the organizer to shut up.
Unfortunately, the organizer misread it entirely.
“Oh, I’ll get them up here!” he chirped. “Let them share their beautiful story!”
Caleb’s jaw tightened, his voice low and sharp. “Perfect. I’d love to hear just how moving it is.”
Right then, a shout erupted from the demo zone.
“BUG ALERT! Security breach! Some hacker just cleaned out my account–and my phone’s dead!”
The cry set off a domino effect. Players scrambled to check their devices.
Panic spread like wildfire. “My in–game coins are gone, and my linked account’s been hit too!”
“Holy crap, this game’s security is a joke! Who would dare to play it? They don’t care about the user data at all!”
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