Chapter 44 - The Invitation
After the ceremony, representatives from several universities visited the exhibition hall.
Students eagerly discussed scholarships, internships, and research opportunities.
Professor Chen introduced Alex to Dr. Samuel Ortiz, director of the university's Human Mobility Research Center.
"I've heard a lot about Version 15 today."
Dr. Ortiz examined the prototype with genuine curiosity.
"I also read your engineering notebook."
Alex looked surprised.
"You read the notebook?"
"I always do."
He smiled.
"Finished products tell me what students built."
He tapped the notebook gently.
"These tell me how they think."
Emma grinned.
"I told him never to throw away old sketches."
Dr. Ortiz laughed.
"Excellent advice."
He handed Alex a brochure.
"Our laboratory hosts a summer engineering fellowship for high school students."
Alex flipped through the pages.
The program focused on rehabilitation technology, adaptive transportation, and assistive robotics.
Exactly the fields that fascinated him.
"There is one condition."
Alex looked up.
"You'll be expected to challenge our researchers."
Emma laughed.
"I don't think that'll be a problem."
Dr. Ortiz smiled.
"I don't think so either."
Meanwhile, Marcus Reed joined Superintendent Grant near the exit.
"The students impressed me."
"They impressed all of us."
Marcus became thoughtful.
"The real challenge starts now."
Grant understood immediately.
"Turning good intentions into permanent systems."
Marcus nodded.
"Exactly."
Across the room, Bennett quietly informed Grant about the anonymous online message.
Grant frowned.
"No threats?"
"Only that sentence."
"Keep documenting everything."
Neither of them intended to allow speculation to overshadow the students' achievements.
Still, the investigation remained active.
Someone continued watching.
Someone continued posting.
May you like
The question was why.
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