Chapter 3: The Man Who Tried to Steal My Future
For several seconds, I thought I had misunderstood.
"Could you repeat that name?""
"Xavier Grant," Richard said.
"He contacted two members of our acquisitions team last week.""
I looked at Danielle.
She was watching me carefully.
"What did he tell you?""
Richard shuffled some papers.
"He claimed to have a financial partnership with you. He also suggested that he had access to your engineering documentation and could facilitate negotiations on your behalf.""
My grip tightened around the phone.
"That's impossible.""
"That's what we suspected.""
"Mr. Cole, I've never authorized anyone to represent me.""
"That's why we're speaking. We wanted to confirm before proceeding.""
I closed my eyes.
Xavier.
The man who had stood beside Naomi and laughed when I talked about selling my father's shop.
The man who had apparently known about my technology before the graduation ceremony.
How?
"Did he submit any documents?""
"Several.""
"What kind?""
"Preliminary licensing materials. Nothing we would consider legally sufficient, but enough to raise questions.""
My mind started racing.
I had shown my prototype to only a handful of people.
Dr. Bennett.
Two university researchers.
And Naomi.
Naomi had seen my drawings many times. She had watched me work late at night. She had even helped me organize some of the early project files when my laptop crashed.
I remembered something.
Three months earlier, she had asked to borrow my laptop.
She said she needed to print a university document.
I had given her the password without thinking.
Now my stomach turned.
"Mr. Cole," I said carefully, "I need copies of anything Xavier submitted.""
"Of course. We'll have our legal department send them securely.""
"Thank you.""
"And Mr. Walls?""
"Yes?""
"Please don't confront him until you've spoken with your attorney.""
The call ended.
Danielle leaned forward.
"What happened?""
I told her.
Her face changed from confusion to disbelief.
"That man is trying to steal your invention?""
"It sounds like it.""
"Why would he do that?""
I stared at the folder.
"Money.""
"Then Naomi knows?""
I didn't answer.
But the possibility had already entered my mind.
The next morning, I went to my workshop.
It was a narrow building behind an old tire warehouse. The roof leaked when it rained, and the electrical system had been patched together so many times that I sometimes had to reset the breakers twice a day.
But it was mine.
Inside, my prototype sat beneath a gray cover.
I pulled it away.
The metal assembly reflected the overhead lights.
I ran my fingers over the frame.
My father had taught me to work on engines when I was eight years old.
He never called it a job.
He called it learning how to listen.
"Every machine tells you what's wrong," he used to say.
"Most people just don't know how to hear it.""
I had heard every strange vibration in this prototype.
Every irregular movement.
Every failure.
For six years, I had adjusted, rebuilt, and tested it.
I had even destroyed three early versions because they failed under extreme pressure.
The fourth version had nearly cost me my savings.
The fifth had finally worked.
And now someone wanted to take it from me.
I was inspecting the control assembly when my phone rang.
Dr. Bennett.
"Good morning, Cedric.""
"Morning, Professor.""
"Did Mr. Cole speak with you?""
"Yes.""
A pause.
"Then I assume he told you about Xavier.""
"He did.""
Dr. Bennett sighed.
"I'm afraid this situation is more serious than I initially realized.""
I straightened.
"What do you know?""
"Yesterday evening, a university administrator contacted me. Apparently, Xavier has been asking questions about your intellectual property for several weeks.""
"Why?""
"He claimed he was preparing an investment proposal.""
I looked at the prototype.
"Does he work for the university?""
"No. He has no official connection to the research department.""
"Then how did he get access?""
Dr. Bennett was quiet.
"That is what we're investigating.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Professor, Naomi knew about my design.""
"I know.""
"She had access to some of my files.""
Another pause.
"Do you have evidence that she shared them?""
"Not yet.""
"Then don't make accusations. We need documentation.""
I nodded, even though he couldn't see me.
"Understood.""
Dr. Bennett continued.
"The university's technology-transfer office has preserved the original submission records. Your design history is documented, including the dates of your early drawings and prototype demonstrations.""
"That's good.""
"Very good. It may become important.""
I thanked him and ended the call.
Then I opened my laptop.
My project folder was still there.
But something was missing.
I clicked through the directories.
The original engineering drawings were intact.
The test reports were intact.
But the folder containing the revised commercial specifications had been accessed recently.
I checked the activity log.
The last access date was three days earlier.
I hadn't opened those files in weeks.
Someone had.
I stared at the screen.
Then I noticed a small document sitting in the recycle folder.
It was a scanned copy of a preliminary licensing agreement.
The document contained my name.
My design title.
And a signature.
I opened it.
My blood ran cold.
The signature looked like mine.
But I had never signed that document.
At the bottom was another name.
Xavier Grant.
And beside his name was the phrase:
*AUTHORIZED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE.*
I immediately saved a copy.
Then I called the attorney Dr. Bennett had recommended.
Her name was Evelyn Brooks, and she specialized in intellectual property disputes.
She listened carefully while I explained what I had found.
"Mr. Walls," she said, "do not delete anything. Don't edit the original files. Don't contact either individual about this document.""
"Even Naomi?""
"Especially anyone who may have had access to the records.""
I swallowed.
"What if they already sent it to Northstar?""
"Then we'll make sure the company understands it was unauthorized.""
"Can someone actually steal a patent?""
"People can attempt to misrepresent ownership. That doesn't mean they can legally take what belongs to you. But we need to protect your position immediately.""
I looked at the forged signature again.
"What do you need from me?""
"Everything. Original sketches, photographs, prototype logs, emails, university submission records. We need to establish the timeline.""
I agreed.
Before hanging up, she added something.
"One more thing. You mentioned that you previously sold a family business to finance your education partner's studies?""
"Yes.""
"Do you have records of those payments?""
"I have bank statements and receipts.""
"Keep them.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"Because if someone is trying to claim a financial interest in your invention, we need to understand every agreement that actually exists.""
I looked at the document.
There had been no agreement with Naomi.
No partnership.
No ownership transfer.
No promise of royalties.
I had simply loved her.
And paid for her future.
"Understood," I said.
At noon, I drove to the university.
Dr. Bennett had arranged a meeting with the technology-transfer office.
The building was modern, with polished floors and glass conference rooms. Students walked past carrying laptops and coffee.
I felt out of place in my work boots and faded jacket.
A receptionist directed me to Room 412.
Inside, Dr. Bennett sat beside a woman in a navy suit.
"Mr. Walls," he said, standing.
"Come in.""
The woman extended her hand.
"Angela Morris. Director of Technology Transfer.""
I shook it.
"Nice to meet you.""
She pointed to a chair.
"Please sit. We reviewed the preliminary information you provided.""
A large monitor displayed several documents.
"Your original design submission was filed fourteen months ago," she explained.
"Your prototype demonstration was witnessed by three university employees. The technical drawings are also archived.""
"Does that protect me?""
"It establishes a documented development history. But we still need to review the alleged licensing agreement.""
She opened the scanned document.
Her expression tightened.
"This is concerning.""
"Is it valid?""
"We have no record of you authorizing Xavier Grant to represent you.""
"Because I didn't.""
She nodded.
"Then we'll formally notify Northstar that this document is disputed.""
Dr. Bennett leaned forward.
"There's another issue, Angela.""
She looked at him.
"Yes?""
"Xavier has been contacting faculty members.""
Angela sighed.
"He's also been speaking with one of our graduating doctoral candidates.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Who?""
She looked at me.
"Naomi Carter.""
I stared at her.
For a moment, the room seemed to go silent.
Dr. Bennett closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Cedric.""
I leaned back.
"What was she asking?""
Angela opened another document.
"She requested access to certain archived research materials. She said she was helping prepare a commercial proposal connected to your invention.""
I shook my head slowly.
"She told me she was preparing her dissertation.""
"Her request was submitted under that description," Angela said.
"But the files she requested were not related to her dissertation.""
My hands tightened.
"Which files?""
Angela pointed to a list.
"Your prototype specifications. Your testing records. And a set of early commercial development drawings.""
I stared at the screen.
Those were the files Xavier had supposedly received.
I felt sick.
Dr. Bennett placed a hand on the table.
"We don't know the full story yet.""
I nodded.
But I already knew enough.
Naomi hadn't simply fallen out of love with me.
She might have been helping someone use my work.
And if that was true, the humiliation at graduation had been only the beginning.
That evening, I returned to my apartment.
A black luxury car was parked outside.
I recognized it immediately.
Xavier's.
My stomach tightened.
Naomi stood beside the entrance holding a cardboard box.
Xavier leaned against the car, speaking into his phone.
When he saw me, he ended the call.
"Cedric.""
I stopped several feet away.
"What are you doing here?""
Naomi stepped forward.
"I came to collect my things.""
"Your things are packed.""
"I know. I wanted to talk.""
Xavier walked closer.
"Listen, man. Let's not turn this into something ugly.""
I looked at him.
"Then why did you submit a licensing agreement using my name?""
His expression changed.
Naomi froze.
"What?"" she asked.
I looked directly at her.
"Why did you request my confidential research files?""
She swallowed.
"Cedric, I can explain.""
"Then explain.""
Xavier stepped between us.
"You're misunderstanding the situation.""
"Move.""
His eyebrows rose.
"Excuse me?""
"I said move.""
He laughed and shook his head.
"You're getting emotional. I understand. Graduation didn't go the way you wanted, and now you're suddenly talking about millions of dollars. But you need to be realistic.""
I stared at him.
"Did you forge my signature?""
He stopped smiling.
Naomi looked at him.
"Xavier?""
He turned toward her.
"Don't.""
That single word told me more than he intended.
I looked at Naomi.
"You knew.""
Her eyes filled.
"Cedric, please.""
"Did you give him my files?""
She shook her head.
"I only showed him some preliminary information.""
"Without asking me?""
"I thought it would help.""
"Help whom?""
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Xavier finally stepped forward.
"Look, the proposal was just a business arrangement. We were going to negotiate with Northstar and bring you in later.""
I laughed.
"You were going to negotiate with my invention without me?""
"We were creating an opportunity.""
"For yourselves.""
"Don't be stupid.""
Naomi grabbed his arm.
"Xavier, stop.""
He pulled away.
Then he turned to me.
"You have no idea how business works, Cedric. You build something in a garage, and suddenly you think you're entitled to millions?""
I looked at the man who had laughed at my truck.
The man who had stood beside Naomi while she rejected me.
The man who apparently believed he could steal six years of my work with a forged signature.
"Actually," I said quietly, "I think I'm entitled to own what I created.""
Xavier's face darkened.
"You'll regret making an enemy of me.""
I took out my phone.
"That's interesting.""
I showed him the screen.
It was an email from Evelyn Brooks.
*Formal notice of disputed authorization submitted to Northstar Mobility and university counsel.*
His eyes moved across the message.
For the first time, he looked uncertain.
Naomi whispered, "Cedric, what have you done?""
I put my phone away.
"What I should have done a long time ago.""
Xavier stepped closer.
"You think a lawyer scares me?""
"No.""
I looked him directly in the eyes.
"But evidence might.""
He stared at me.
Then his phone rang.
He answered sharply.
"What?""
A pause.
His expression changed.
"What do you mean, frozen?""
He turned away from us.
"That's impossible. I already told you the documents were legitimate.""
My heart began pounding.
Naomi looked at him.
"Xavier?""
He held up one finger, listening.
Then the color drained from his face.
"Who sent the notice?""
Another pause.
He looked at me.
His voice dropped.
"Northstar?""
I watched him carefully.
He ended the call without saying goodbye.
Naomi stepped closer.
"What happened?""
Xavier didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at me with something I hadn't seen before.
Fear.
Then he said the words that made my blood run cold.
"How did you find out about the second contract?""
I frowned.
"What second contract?""
Xavier's face went pale.
Naomi suddenly dropped the cardboard box.
Several photographs spilled across the pavement.
And as I bent down to pick them up, I saw the one on top.
It showed Naomi sitting across from Xavier in a private restaurant.
Between them lay a document.
At the bottom of the photograph was a handwritten note.
*Once Cedric signs away the rights, we split everything fifty-fifty.*
But the date on the photograph was not last week.
May you like
It was six months old.
And beneath the note was Naomi's signature.
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